Mustard Green & Pea Pesto Pizza on Spelt Flour Crust
Can you think of a better way to eat your greens than pizza?
I sure can’t. I luuurrrrvvve me some pizza.
This recipe is one that I’ve been meaning to make for almost a year now. It was inspired by a mustard green and pea pesto appetizer that we had at Wente Vineyards last spring. They served it almost like a bruschetta and I remember being floored by how good that pesto tasted. I’m sure the wine didn’t hurt either. ;)
If you’re new to mustard greens, they actually look almost identical to kale but they have more of a bright green color to them. In addition to providing a healthy dose of vitamins A, K, and C, they’re packed with phytonutrients that have cancer-preventive properties.
The flavor is slightly peppery and it makes for a perfect match with the subtle sweetness of green peas. Add both of those to a little fresh lemon with garlic and walnuts and you’ve got yourself one vibrantly delicious pesto!
The first time I made it, I served it on a whole grain store bought crust for a quick and healthy weeknight meal but I decided to go the homemade route the second time around and made a crust with whole grain sprouted spelt flour. It turned out fairly dense with an earthy flavor that we loved but if you’re used to eating white flour or prefer a lighter texture to your crust, I would recommend using light spelt flour instead.
You could also serve the pesto with your favorite pasta or even on a sandwich. It’s packed with fresh flavor and a ton GREEN plant-powered protein so really, you can’t wrong. :)
Ingredients
1 cup peas, fresh or frozen and defrosted
1 bunch mustard greens, removed from stem (appox. 4-5 cups packed)
4 garlic cloves
1/2 cup walnuts
1/3 cup parmesan cheese + 1/4 cup for topping (sub 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast for vegan version)
2 tablespoons olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
salt & pepper to taste
1 leek, chopped + 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
balsamic glaze for topping
Spelt Flour Pizza Crust
2 cups whole grain spelt flour (or light spelt flour)
1 packet yeast (or 2 teaspoons) + 1 cup warm water
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the crust by warming 1 cup of water in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. It should be warm to touch but not hot or it will kill the yeast. In a large bowl, combine the yeast and the warm water along with the brown sugar and stir together. Allow to sit for five minutes, until slightly frothy.
- Next add the spelt flour and mix together. Add more flour as needed so that you are able to start kneading it with your hands. Continue to knead it for about 1 minute, adding more flour if it still too sticky. Drizzle the inside of the bowl with olive oil and use your hands to make sure it is thoroughly greased. Lightly coat the dough with the oil then cover the bowl and set aside in a warm place to rise for an hour or two. Alternatively, you can refrigerate the dough until ready to use but you will have to let it sit out for 2-3 hours to rise before cooking.
- To make the pesto, combine all of the ingredients (minus the extra 1/4 cup parm for topping) in a food processor and pulse until smooth. This can also be refrigerated in an airtight container to use the next day, if desired.
- Once you are ready to cook the pizza, preheat the oven 450°F. Roll the dough out into a 10-inch circle (or desired shape) and transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a pizza stone. Lightly brush the surface with olive oil then bake in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile warm one tablespoon olive oil over low to medium heat in a small skillet to lightly sauté the leeks for about 5 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven and then spread the pesto on top. Sprinkle with leeks and remaining 1/4 cup parmesan then bake for an additional 2-3 minutes. This is just enough time for the topping to warm slightly. You can cook it for a few minutes longer if you like but the pesto will turn brown.
- Remove pizza from the oven, top with balsamic glaze and cut into slices. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Prep time includes making pizza crust and letting it rise. Making the pesto alone only takes 15 minutes.
It’s soooo greeeeen and I loooooove iiiiiiiiiit!!!! UGH pizzas like this are my favorite! Hold the gobs of mozzarella and sausage…fresco pizzas are da.bomb! I’ve never made pea pesto and have about zilch experience with mustard greens, so you’ve got the wheels turning in my brain here. I will eat that whole dang pizza and shall stop at nothaaang!
I never would have thought of using mustard greens in pesto, but this looks delicious (and deceptively healthy). I like it. :)
I had a homemade pea pesto pizza last week with a friend – so good! – but no mustard greens. Aren’t mustard greens super spicy? I might sub kale, but this does look delicious.
I always must have green on my pizza!
You’re definitely right about the spiciness of mustard greens! I’ve had them in salads before and they sure do make themselves known. I love the idea of putting them on a pizza and pairing them with something sweeter, though! And truth be told, I’m all about the denser, earthier crusts, so I’m loving that aspect of it as well! #pinned!
I love this! Pizza anything sounds good to me, but this is a really fun and different take. Yum yum yum!
Yea girl, I LOVE me some pizza as well! The crust looks awesome! Pea is one of the few foods that my hubby doesn’t care for, but I doubt he’d know they were in this pesto. Muwahaha.
So good! I love mustard greens and pizza, so I’m a fan of this. Just another reason I need to check out Wente! Great job, Sarah. Hope to see you in PUMP soon:)
I love, love, love the fact that you used peas for this!!! I’m obsessed with them and I think adding them to pizza (one of my other favorite foods) sounds like the best idea ever! Pinned :)
Haha I’m glad I’m not the only one who takes a year or more to actually get around to making recipes ideas. ;) This pizza looks worth the wait though. I’ve never had mustard greens before but now I’m intrigued! I don’t think my grocery store stocks them so I’ll have to make it my mission to find them at the market this summer.
You know I love my pizza!! This looks awesome! I’ve never made pesto with peas before but now I need to try! I love the color on this pizza too! Pretty foods are the best :)
Great photos! This looks so delicious, the perfect Spring pizza!
I love drizzling balsamic glaze on pizza, the hint of sweetness is lovely.
I much prefer a healthier green type of pizza like this then any cheese and tomato laden one! This pizza looks super delicious & you can tell it’s good for you just by looking at it!
What a green Pizza! I can see myself devouring this on my sofa while watching TV :)
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