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Pistachio and Arugula Pesto Spring Flatbreads

By: Nicole 2 Comments
Posted: 04/28/16

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Pistachio and Arugula Pesto Flatbread Pizzas 7

If you had any doubts that a new season has emerged, just take a look through my last handful of posts. Most have some sort of seasonal ingredient, and none of them lack a bright, colorful makeup reminiscent of spring and summer.

I think the plethora of seasonal recipe ideas that flow through my brain is my favorite part about the warmer months – aside from the fact that they’re, well, warmer. Because I do have so many ideas coming to me, I try to not be overly redundant in my recipe developing, but sometimes, a recipe is good enough to post about twice.

Pistachio and Arugula Pesto Flatbread Pizzas 4

Ever since I made this pistachio and arugula pesto roasted chicken, I haven’t been able to get the pesto piece out of my head. At the time, I was content consuming it solely with the chicken, but after taste testing it several dozen times, I knew it needed to find its place in a few other dishes.Of course, it would and did go perfectly with some orrecchiette pasta, which Kevin had for lunch one day, but it also makes the perfect base for a spring-inspired flatbread pizza.

Pistachio and Arugula Pesto Flatbread Pizzas 3

These days I find myself gravitating more towards pestos that don’t have any basil in them, which started out partly because basil wasn’t in season yet and also because the amount of basil, pesto requires, means you have to fork over an arm and a leg in cash to make a decent-sized batch. I’ve found that cheaper alternatives like arugula, spinach or even kale are just as good, if not better than the original, so that’s what I’ve been using instead.

In this version, I used about four cups of packed, peppery arugula, a small handful of roasted pistachios, garlic, plenty of parmesan cheese, lemon juice, zest, salt, and twice as much olive oil as the recipe for the roast chicken calls for. The reason I used more olive oil in this version is because I wanted a more loose sauce that closely resembled the consistency of a classic pizza sauce, instead of the more dense texture needed to stuff under the chicken’s skin.

Pistachio and Arugula Pesto Flatbread Pizzas 5

Because I never make things easy on myself and can’t bring myself to spend nine dollars on two pieces of flatbread, I whipped up a batch of Half Baked Harvest’s homemade naan bread, an extra step I highly recommend. This was the first time I’ve made my own naan, and I’ve now vowed to do it every time for here on out, because its infinitely better than anything you can find pre-made at the store. The dough not only comes together in under 15 minutes, but it cooks up so easily in a cast-iron skillet. The end result is a crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, melt-in-your-mouth piece of flatbread that really doesn’t even need anything to go with it, although I’ll pile the ingredients on anyways.

Once the bread is all cooked, I slathered the homemade pesto across the top of each one, dotted it with fresh mozzarella cheese, and then sprinkled chopped asparagus on top. Each flatbread is drizzled with a little bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper, and popped into the oven just until the cheese is melted.

When the hot flatbread comes out of the oven, it’s sprinkled with chopped pistachios and fresh arugula, and then covered in grated parmesan cheese.

Pistachio and Arugula Pesto Flatbread Pizzas

 

Pistachio and Arugula Pesto Spring Flatbreads
 
Print
Prep time
20 mins
Cook time
10 mins
Total time
30 mins
 
Author: Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
Serves: 4 flatbreads
Ingredients
  • ½ cup roasted and salted pistachios, divided
  • 6 cups packed arugula, divided
  • 2 Tlbs. lemon juice
  • Zest of 1 lemon (about 2 teaspoons)
  • 2 Tlbs. grated parmesan cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup + 1½ Tbls. olive oil
  • 4 naan flatbreads
  • 8 oz. fresh mozzarella, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1 lb. asparagus cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. In a food processor, add ¼ cup pistachios, 4 cups arugula, lemon juice, lemon zest, parmesan cheese, and salt. Pulse until the mixture becomes a paste, if needed scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. With the mixer on, slowly drizzle in ¼ cup olive oil. Again, if needed scape down the sides with a spatula. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  3. Line bread up on a large baking sheet. Evenly divide pesto between four flatbreads and spread on to surface. Evenly divide mozzarella cheese between flatbreads. Sprinkle with asparagus. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to season.
  4. Place flatbread in oven and bake until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
  5. Remove from oven, sprinkle with remaining pistachios, remaining arugula, and parmesan cheese.
3.3.3077

Pistachio and Arugula Pesto Spring Flatbreads

Meet Nicole

Welcome! My lifelong passion for delicious food and cooking has evolved over time into an equal love of showing you an elevated meal can be easy, approachable and most importantly, tasty. Dive in and find something perfect for you and your family!

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  1. [email protected] says

    Posted on 4/28/16 at 4:11 pm

    I’m the same way – I totally gravitate toward non-basil pesto. Until our herb garden is up and running during the summer it’s just so expensive to buy at the store!! These flatbreads sound awesome – so right up my alley!!

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      Posted on 4/28/16 at 9:49 pm

      SO expensive!! And let’s be honest, MY herb garden never yields enough basil for pesto. Teach me your ways!

      Reply

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Welcome! My lifelong passion for delicious food and cooking has evolved into an equal love of showing you easy elevated meals can be approachable and most importantly, tasty.

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