• 1 1/2 cups packed baby arugula , plus extra leaves for garnish (optional)
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic , peeled
• 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 1/2 tsp. lemon zest
• 1 anchovy fillet (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup whole milk ricotta
• 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme or oregano or parsley (or a mix)
• 4 (8-inch) very thin whole wheat pitas
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (optional)
• 6 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts , cooked and very thinly sliced

Note: The Gigi staff make their own unleavened dough for this crust. We suggest pita; pizza dough or wheat tortillas also work.

Preheat oven to 450°. To make pesto, put arugula, 1/2 of olive oil, and garlic in a food processor; pulse a few times. Add pine nuts, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, anchovy (if using), and salt and pepper to taste; pulse to combine. With motor running, add rest of oil to make a puree.

In a bowl, combine ricotta, herbs, rest of zest, and salt and pepper to taste.

Arrange pitas in a single layer on 2 large baking sheets. Spread 1 side of each with pesto, then scatter mozzarella (if using) over pesto, fan chicken on top, and dot with ricotta mixture; bake until browned and bubbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Garnish with extra arugula leaves; serve.

Recipe variations:

Replace toppings with…

• Spring, version 1: Chopped cooked clams and baby spinach.
• Spring, version 2: Tomato sauce, mozzarella, cooked shrimp, pea shoots, and red chili flakes.
• Summer: Eggplant caponata, oil-cured tuna, and red chili flakes.
• Fall, version 1: Sliced roasted sweet potatoes, prosciutto, and fresh sage.
• Fall, version 2: Braised kale, sliced Spanish chorizo, and blue cheese.
• Winter, version 1: Sliced roast beef, horseradish, and pickled onions.
• Winter, version 2: Goat cheese, mozzarella, preserved figs, pears, arugula, and white truffle oil.
• All year round: Oven-roasted seasonal vegetables and Pecorino Romano.

From Hudson Valley Mediterranean: The Gigi Good Food Cookbook, by Laura Pensiero. Copyright (c) 2009 by Laura Pensiero. Published by William Morrow Cookbooks, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Reprinted by permission.