Flatbread With Pancetta And Asparagus

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 55 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 ounces pancetta
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 lb fresh asparagus
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parmesan cheese

Recipe

• 1 to make dough:.
• 2 combine warm water(100 - 110 degrees) with yeast in a medium sized bowl; let stand 5 minutes.
• 3 after it has proofed for 5 minutes, add 1 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt to yeast. stir to blend.
• 4 turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic.(about 8 minutes) add additional 1/4 cup flour as needed to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands. this is a slightly sticky dough when finished.
• 5 you can also knead in a stand mixer until smooth and it climbs up the dough hook.
• 6 place in a bowl that has been coated with cooking spray. turn dough to coat top with spray. cover and let rise about 45 minutes until doubled in size.
• 7 to make topping:.
• 8 heat a small skillet over medium heat. finely chop pancetta. mince garlic clove. add pancetta, garlic and thyme to skillet. saute about 5 minutes or until pancetta is crisp. stir in 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper. set aside.
• 9 wash and trim asparagus. unless you have extremely thin asparagus, slice in half or quarters lengthwise to make very thin pieces.
• 10 preheat oven to 475 degrees.
• 11 punch dough down; cover and let it rest 5 minutes.
• 12 roll out onto a floured surface into a 10 inch circle. (mine ended up looking rather oblong but it still tasted great!).
• 13 place on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
• 14 spread pancetta mixture evenly over the top. place asparagus pieces over top. sprinkle with mozzarella.
• 15 bake for 10-15 minutes until dough is golden brown on bottom. (the top doesn't get as brown).
• 16 while it is baking, make shaves of parmesan cheese using a vegetable peeler.
• 17 when flatbread is done, remove from oven and top with parmesan.
• 18 enjoy!