Upstate Pairing: July-August 2016

Nestled in the heart of New York’s beautiful Finger Lakes Region, Ithaca Beer Company demonstrates its pride by brewing world-class craft beer inspired by its home. In addition to year-round favorites, you can also choose from seasonal selections on rotation.

Our recipe this month is paired with Hopkist, one of their summer offerings. It’s a delightful easy drinking and refreshing citrus IPA. With a mild alcohol-by-volume (ABV) of 4.75%, this IPA is wonderfully “sessionable” for the hot summer months. The combination of Honey Malt and Citra hops in both brewing and dry hopping, along with a healthy zip of citrus zest makes Hopkist the perfect summer brew.

Brewery tours are offered on weekends and by reservation, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the facilities.

Arugula Pesto Pizza with Herbed Ricotta

Yield: 1 large pizza1 ball pizza dough
1 batch arugula pesto (see below)
1/2 cup ricotta cheese, strained if watery
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon honey
pinch of salt
pinch of red pepper flakes
olive oil, for brushing
1 1/2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup raw walnut halves, chopped
zest of 1 medium lemon
2 cups lightly packed arugula

1. Preheat the oven to 500ºF. Place a pizza stone in the oven and allow the stone to heat for at least 15 to 20 minutes (if you can do 30, even better).
2. Place the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface and allow to relax for about 10 minutes (but no longer than 30). Roll out and shape the dough and then transfer to a piece of parchment paper cut to about the size of your pizza stone that has been lightly dusted with cornmeal.
3. Meanwhile, make the pesto recipe below. Set aside.
4. In a small bowl, add the ricotta, basil, parsley, honey, salt and red pepper. Mix until combined. Set aside.
5. Brush the pizza dough all over lightly with the olive oil. Scoop the pesto onto the dough and smear evenly all over, leaving a border around the edge. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the pesto, then drop the herbed ricotta in small scoops all over the top. Sprinkle with the walnuts.
6. Transfer to the oven (put the parchment paper with the pizza directly on the pizza stone). Bake for about 10 to 14 minutes, until the crust is golden brown. Remove from the oven, then sprinkle with the lemon zest and top with the fresh arugula. Slice and serve.

For the Pesto:2 cups lightly packed arugula 1/2 cup lightly packed baby spinach leaves 1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste) 1/3 cup olive oil

1. Add the arugula, spinach, sunflower seeds, parmesan, garlic and salt to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
2. With the food processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil. Process until smooth. If you want to thin out the pesto, add in additional olive oil a little at a time.

We recommend pairing this recipe with Ithaca Beer Company’s Hopkist.

As with all pizzas, feel free to adjust the amounts of the toppings to your own taste.

If you do not have a pizza stone (though highly recommend for homemade pizza), you can place the parchment with the pizza on a large baking sheet instead and then bake as directed.

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