So as you all know, this is not a food blog, and there is good reason for that. I am a terrible cook. For Christmas, my dad gave me a cookbook called, The Athlete’s Palate. There are so many amazing recipes in this book and I am very excited to try them all. I thought it would be fun to do a recipe series. Each time I make a recipe from the book I will post about it.
Since I was home on a snow day today, I had plenty of time to cook. I decided to make the Naan Pizza. In the book, each recipe is labeled for training or recovery. This recipe is labeled training.
Disclaimer: If the recipe comes out poorly it is most likely due to my poor cooking skills and is in no way a reflection of the authors of this book 
Here we go, Recipe #1
Naan Pizza with Pesto, Canadian Bacon, Asparagus, and Fontina Cheese
Recipe adapted from The Athlete’s Palate
Makes 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 min, Cook Time: 15 min
2 (9′”) whole wheat naan (1-8 ounce package)
1/2 cup prepared pesto
10 asparagus spears (tough ends snapped off, cut into 1 1/2” lengths)
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
salt and black pepper to taste
3 slices Canadian bacon (cut into thing strips)
3/4 cup grated fontina cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425. Rack should be in the lower-middle of the oven. Place naan on baking sheet. Scoop pesto onto naan and spread around. Toss asparagus with oil, salt, and pepper. Spread spears of asparagus around naan, then add Canadian bacon strips. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until asparagus is bright green. Remove from oven and an even amount of cheese across each naan. Place back in the over and continue to back for about 5 minutes or until cheese has melted. Cut and serve.
Cut asparagus and Canadian bacon…
Put in oven for 10 minutes.
Top with cheese and place back in oven for 5 minutes.
So good. It even looks like the picture in the cookbook and it was so easy to make. I took a few liberties with the recipe and made some substitutions. The original recipe calls for ricotta cheese to be mixed with the pesto before being spread on the naan but I despise ricotta cheese- yes that includes ravioli and lasagna…I am a terrible Italian, but I still think it came out great!
If you try it, let me know what you think!
Question: How often do you cook? Do you follow recipes or just know what to do?
I try to cook at least 4-5 nights a week. I know how to make a few dishes really well but am attempting to expand my cooking skills. Any recipes you swear by? Send them my way please!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I am a terrible cook too :-/ Actually I think I am just impatient, I would just rather make something really fast then worry about cooking something good lol. This book sounds awesome though, I think I might have to look into it
I usually cook every night (unless we have left overs). I love follwoing recipes, but have been venturing out on my own.
Me cook!!! no not really, but I have a wife, I am a very lucky man… she cooks most nights, but once a week we go out for PIZZA and we sometimes have leftovers. OH and on the weekends I braai (burn meat on the fire) South African tend to do this week in and week out, and it doesn't matter what the weather is doing!!!
YUM! Looks delicious! I absolutely adore pesto on pizza
THis looks so good! I want to run out and get asparagus!!!
Your disclaimer cracks me up! I have the same issues
I love cooking and I love tweaking traditional recipes to give them a healthy twist! This is one recipe book I do not have and should check out.
I could take pages and pages of comments sending you recipes!
We cook every day here, usually hubby and I team up to make dinner. We prefer to eat in since what we make is usually way better then what we get eating out and we can control what's IN the food.
Some favorites? whole wheat pizza with veggies, turkey & avacado burgers, turkey & blk bean chili, chicken chili soup, roasted chicken and sweet potatos…
I do not like to cook much but I do like good healthy food so I'm always on the look out for easy, fresh and healthy food. I might have to get this book!
I love cooking! Its my stress reliever!! But honestly, 6 years ago, I was terrible. I would serve my husband raw chicken. IT just takes practice and then you don't have to follow exact recipes and you can play around with what you like… This recipe looks fabulous!