Dandelion Pizza

Ingredients

Pizza Dough

• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 tsp instant dry yeast
• 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 1/4 cup lukewarm water
• 2 Tbsp olive oil

White Sauce

• 3 Tbsp butter
• 3 Tbsp flour
• 1 3/4 cup milk (can be plant-based)
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Toppings

• 1 large bunch dandelion greens (if picking from a lawn, make sure it hasn’t been sprayed)
• 1/3 cup dry vermouth or white wine
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (optional)
• 1/2 cup grated mozzarella (optional)

Instructions

1. 1
   Prepare the pizza dough at least 1 day ahead. Combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Add olive oil and water. Knead with your hands until well combined (around 3 minutes) then let the dough rest for 15 minutes.
2. 2
   After it has rested, knead the dough for around 3 more minutes. Shape into a ball. Place into a large, tightly sealed container (allowing enough room to double in size) and let it rise in the fridge for at least 1 day (up to 5 days).
3. 3
   Remove from the fridge. Allow to rest, covered, at room temperature for at least 2 hours before baking.
4. 4
   To make the pizza, place the dough ball on a well-floured surface and stretch it with your fingers, forming it roughly into a large rectangular shape. Sprinkle a little cornmeal and flour on the bottom of a square 18 x 13 inch baking pan and gently place the stretched dough into the pan. Continue stretching it as much as you can (it doesn’t need to perfectly fit the pan or reach all the edges).
5. 5
   Preheat the oven to 500°F for 30 minutes.
6. 6
   To make the white sauce, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and continue whisking for 1 minute (do not let it brown). Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly until smooth, thickened, and bubbly. Add the salt, pepper, and parmesan and continue to whisk until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Set aside to cool a bit before spreading on the pizza.
7. 7
   To prepare the dandelion leaves, wash them very well and chop them into 1/2 inch size pieces. In a pan, sauté minced garlic in the olive oil over medium heat for a minute, then add the chopped greens. Cook until wilted, stirring every so often. Add the salt and the white wine. Keep cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until the greens are dark and reduced in size. Remove from heat.
8. 8
   Pour the white sauce onto the pizza dough. Spread it across the whole surface evenly. Sprinkle on the cooked dandelion. Place dollops of ricotta all across the top. Top with grated mozzarella cheese.
9. 9
   Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated 500F oven, or until crust is browned on the edges and cheese is has turned golden in a few spots.
10. 10
    Slice and serve!