If you love mushrooms, this is the pizza recipe for you. This takes pizza in a new direction and with the most curious of doughs.
Instead of using a traditional pizza dough base, instead we are going to find yet another delicious use for the giant puffball mushroom, using thick slices of this delicious giant as the base of the pizza instead of that dough. I love finding these goliaths and when you do, there simply aren't enough recipes out there to enjoy the oh so generous puffball.
Of course, you can't simply walk into a shop and buy a giant puffball, so in the later summer months, keep your eyes peeled for this mammoth mushroom, and when you find one.. Start thinking mozarella, thyme and other delicious toppings too.
If you want to learn more about the Giant Puffball mushroom, its habitat and where to find it, click the link: Giant Puffball Mushroom Identification
Puffball Mushroom Pizza Recipe
If you'd like to use the giant puffball as a base for your pizza, here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
1 giant puffball mushroom, try an get a smaller one, young and tender
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 can of tomatoes
1 onion, sliced
1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
Dried oregano
Dried thyme
a ball of mozzarella cheese
Your choice of pizza toppings (e.g., sliced bell peppers, onions, olives, more mushrooms, etc.
Fresh basil leaves
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 200°c.
Clean the giant puffball mushroom by brushing off any dirt or debris. Trim off any tough or discolored parts. You can leave the skin intact or peel it off if desired.
Place the giant puffball mushroom on a baking sheet or pizza stone. Drizzle olive oil over the mushroom and season with salt and pepper.
Bake the puffball mushroom in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes tender and slightly golden.
Meanwhile make your tomato sauce, gently fry of the onions and garlic until soft and translucent. Add the tomatoes, and dried herbs, season and reduce down by one third. Once done, allow to cool.
Next, remove the mushroom from the oven and let it cool slightly. Pat it dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the baked giant puffball mushroom slices, leaving a small border around the edges.
Break up the ball of mozarella and place chunks of mozzarella cheese over the sauce, covering the entire surface.
Add your desired pizza toppings on top of the cheese. More wild mushrooms here if you want to go all in on the mushroom flavour.
Place the pizza back in the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the toppings are cooked to your liking.
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, slice and serve your giant puffball pizza while it's still warm.
So good...
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