Dinner for one?

After a marvelous, much needed day off, I thought I would finish it off with one of my favorite things -- PIZZA. Although using fresh, homemade crust is ideal, we don't live in an ideal world all the time. So I improvised. Usually when making pizza at home, I use a pre-made, whole wheat pizza crust (like Boboli or the 365 Whole Foods brand) but I knew that I probably didn't need to be going out and buying a whole bunch of groceries, so I figured I would just use what ever was around the house. Once I got home and looked at my different options, I decided to go with an unlikely suspect ..... naan -- and I am so glad I did!! It was like an elevated pita pizza experience.

The crust was taken care of, now it was time to choose my toppings. I looked through the fridge and made an executive decision: asparagus and goat cheese. A wonderful combination that I couldn't wait to try. I didn't have any sauce or spread to use as a base layer, and didn't have all the resources to make any. What I did have, however is a large container or grape tomatoes. I cut open a generous handful spread them on a baking sheet with some whole garlic cloves and sprinkled them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. I heated the oven to 325*, put the tomatoes and garlic in, let them roast for approximately 15 minutes, and out came beautifully juicy, yet wrinkled tomatoes ready to be smashed into a makeshift "sauce".

What made my situation even better, I was able to use the hot baking sheet with the tomato juices on it as a pre-seasoned throne for my pizza crust to sit upon in the oven. After clearing the baking sheet of my glorious tomatoes, I put the naan down and began smashing the roasted garlic and tomatoes onto it. It was then time to layer on the good stuff. A generous, yet not overwhelming helping of asparagus, goat cheese, and mozzarella were sprinkled on with an added pinch of sea salt and coarse ground pepper to top it all off. 

I then put the pizza in the oven at 400* for approximately 15 minutes (until the cheese had melted and the asparagus tender). As I took the pizza out to allow for cooling time, I added a light touch of roughly chopped basil to give it an herbaceous kick. While letting the pizza cool off, I put together a simple salad of spring mix, chopped radish, sweet onion, cucumber, and mushroom, and a dressing of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. By that time, I could hardly wait to eat this much anticipated meal. Yet somehow, I managed to get it on to a plate and capture it all before I sat down to enjoy it. 

And as ready as I was to devour this delicious awesomeness, I knew I would enjoy it more if I took the time to taste each and every bite. So I poured myself a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, got the table ready, and enjoyed it all sitting poolside with my partner in crime...... Lola. 

So I raise my glass to all of you out there reading and say, BON APPETIT!!