While my posts have been colorful and full of spring themes, in actuality it has been a bittersweet time. A couple of weeks ago, my dear Lolo (my mom's dad) passed away unexpectedly.
I've written about my grandparents a little on here before (here and here), but mostly these stories have been about my Lola, who also passed away a few years ago. I hadn't planned on sharing anything really on this space, because I struggle with the pressure to write about someone and their life in just a few sentences on a food blog.
Nothing I write will ever truly convey how much they meant to me, or the wonderful people they truly were. But I thought for now, at least, I can share a few things that come to mind about my Lolo so you can get a glimpse into how awesome of a grandpa he really was. :)
He loved any and all animals, loved to tell stories, and was known as a modern day cowboy, both in how he dressed, how he drifted from place to place, and how he loved nature. One of his favorite things to eat was Blue Bell coffee ice cream, and he would often spoil us with half gallons of it every time he visited. He kept a prayer list of all of his friends and relatives in Texas and around the world, and would talk about how proud he was of his grandchildren with anyone who would listen. The craziest stories our family tells always involve Lolo, because he wasn't one to abide by the rules or do things that often made sense (what I mean by that is...he was creative in working through loopholes!). He loved to grill and watch NBA basketball. (He actually played college basketball in the Philippines!).
My Lolo was always giving of what he had, even though he did not always have much. It's just the type of person he was!
Tomorrow we will honor and celebrate his life, and I am forever grateful for the inspiring, hardworking, and loving examples I have had as grandparents. It's cliche to say, but I hope I can be half the people that they were in my lifetime!
Hopefully I didn't put a damper on your day, because what I want most for this space is to be a happy, cheerful place that inspires you to experiment with food!
Sometimes though, I think it's good to be open and share what is on my heart. But now that it's out there, let's talk about this pizza. :)
I am forever and always a red sauce gal when it comes to pizza, but every once in awhile I love to switch things up. This pizza is a celebration of spring and all things green. I'm not sure what is the best part - the pesto, the fresh veggies, or the creamy burrata! Besides the part of shaving the asparagus into ribbons, the whole thing comes together in no time. I'm talking less than 30 minutes, which is perfect for when you need pizza STAT to go with that weekend Netflix binge.
After this came out of the oven, I quickly took some photos (omg food photography is torture when you are hungry!!), and we demolished this!
Spring Green Pizza with Pesto and Burrata
makes one 12-inch pizza
Ingredients
- 1 recipe pizza dough (here is my go to, but you can use store bought!)
- 1/4 cup basil pesto (homemade or store bought)
- 1/2 lb asparagus, shaved into thin ribbons
- 1/4 cup peas
- juice of 1/2 lemon, for topping
- 4 oz burrata
- 1/2 cup of watercress, for topping
Directions
Preheat oven to 450°F.
Roll out the pizza dough on top of a large sheet of parchment paper into a 12 inch circle or rectangle. It doesn't have to look perfect!
Spread the pesto in an even layer on top of pizza dough. Arrange shaved asparagus on top, then the peas. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with a little olive oil.
Bake in preheated oven for 12 - 16 min or until crust is golden brown.
Squeeze the lemon juice across the top of the pizza. Add the burrata, torn into pieces. Lastly, top with the fresh watercress. Cut into slices and serve immediately.