See the accompanying menu for a pizza meal that celebrates spring.

　　

Ingredients

3 to 4 servings

　　1 cup fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths

　　1 medium red bell pepper, cut into short narrow strips

　　One 12- to 14-inch good-quality pizza crust

　　1 cup good-quality marinara or pizza sauce or part-skim ricotta cheese

　　1 cup grated part-skim mozzarella cheese or mozzarella-style soy cheese

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

　　

Step 2

Steam the asparagus and bell pepper with a small amount of water in a covered saucepan, until tender crisp, and drain.

　　

Step 3

Place the crust on a pan, spread the sauce or ricotta cheese evenly over it. Sprinkle with the cheese, followed by the asparagus-bell pepper mixture.

　　

Step 4

Bake until the cheese is bubbly, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, let stand for 2 to 3 minutes, and cut into 6 or 8 wedges to serve.

　　

Menu

Step 5

Asparagus and Red Pepper Pizza (this page)

　　

Step 6

Dilled Barley and Green Bean Salad (page 47)

　　

nutrition information

Step 7

(with marinara)

　　

Step 8

Calories: 250

　　

Step 9

Total Fat: 6g

　　

Step 10

Protein: 15g

　　

Step 11

Carbohydrate: 32g

　　

Step 12

Cholesterol: 19mg

　　

Step 13

Sodium: 553mg

　　

Step 14

(with ricotta)

　　

Step 15

Calories: 320

　　

Step 16

Total Fat: 10g

　　

Step 17

Protein: 22g

　　

Step 18

Carbohydrate: 32g

　　

Step 19

Cholesterol: 40mg

　　

Step 20

Sodium: 441mg

　　The Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet