Pizza With Lemon Mortadella And Black Olives Recipe

I absolutely adore this pizza because it combines the irresistible creaminess of fresh mozzarella with the unique zest of lemon mortadella, creating a harmonious blend of rich and refreshing flavors. Plus, the crispy homemade crust and the burst of fresh basil on top make it the perfect balance of comfort and gourmet; it’s like a little Italian escape from my own kitchen!

Lemon Mortadella and Black Olives Pizza is a delightful take on the classic. The combination of these ingredients brings together so many unique flavors that you can’t help but be intrigued.

The base of this pizza is fresh mozzarella cheese melted over $1^{1/4}$ cups of rich tomato sauce. Thinly sliced lemon mortadella and $1^{1/4}$ cups of tangy black olives almost steal the show, while oregano and fresh basil leaves provide just the right fragrance and hint of warmness that allows all the ingredients to dance in harmony.

If you want to truly experience this fascinating flavor combination, make this pizza.

Ingredients

Pizza dough ball:
Supplies carbohydrates and acts as the foundation.

Fresh mozzarella cheese:
High in protein and calcium; smooth mouthfeel.

Lemon mortadella:
Imparts a touch of citrus, savory, protein-packed flavor.

Black olives:
Healthy fats sourced here; flavor that’s salty and tangy.

Extra virgin olive oil:
Rich in antioxidants, enhances flavor, heart-healthy fats.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 pizza dough ball (approximately 250g)
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• 150g fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 100g lemon mortadella, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Set your oven to its highest temperature; this is usually around 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it inside the oven to heat up. If not, use a baking sheet turned upside down.

2. On a surface lightly dusted with flour, shape the pizza dough into a round form, approximately 12 inches in diameter, by stretching and rolling out the dough ball.

3. For easy handling, transfer the rolled-out dough to a piece of parchment paper.

4. Evenly spread the tomato sauce over the surface of the dough, leaving a small border of crust.

5. Evenly arrange the sliced mozzarella cheese on top of the tomato sauce.

6. Mortadella, lemon, cheese: an Italian delicacy. To start with, take some very thin slices of lemon and lay them over the cheese. Then take thin slices of mortadella and layer them over the lemon slices.

7. Distribute the sliced black olives across the pizza, contributing to a riot of taste and hue.

8. Extra virgin olive oil should be drizzled across the top; dried oregano should be sprinkled on; and, if you like a little heat, add red pepper flakes.

9. Add a little salt and pepper to taste and then, with care, push the parchment paper and pizza onto the stone or baking sheet.

10. Cook for 10-15 minutes, until the crust is golden and crispy, the cheese is bubbly, and the mortadella is slightly crisp. Before serving, add your garnish of fresh basil leaves.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Pizza stone or baking sheet
3. Rolling pin
4. Parchment paper
5. Flour for dusting
6. Spoon (for spreading sauce)
7. Knife (for slicing mozzarella, lemon, and mortadella)
8. Cutting board (for slicing ingredients)
9. Measuring cups and spoons
10. Oven mitts (for handling hot equipment)

FAQ

• Can I make my own pizza dough?Certainly! Using flour, water, yeast, and salt, you can indeed create your own pizza dough. Just let it rise until it doubles in size—you’re looking at a good 1-2 hours for that to happen.
• What if I can’t find lemon mortadella?Substituting mortadella: If lemon mortadella isn’t available,

  you can use

  regular mortadella or another type of mild, flavored deli meat.

• How can I make the pizza spicier?To increase the spice level, add more red pepper flakes or top the dish with sliced jalapeños.
• Can I use a different type of cheese?Although fresh mozzarella is the recommended cheese because of its melt and flavor, other cheeses may be used in its place. Provolone and fontina are two that work well.
• How do I bake the pizza for the best results?Set your oven to its highest temperature—generally about 475°F (245°C). Cook the pizza on a preheated pizza stone or baking sheet for 10 to 15 minutes. Check the pizza after 10 minutes, and then at 1-minute intervals, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
• What is the purpose of the extra virgin olive oil?Before and after baking, drizzle olive oil. Oil is your friend. It is the most important flavoring agent in the final dish. Olive oil has excellent compatibility with bread, and it does wonderful things to the crust. It also enhances the flavor of the crumb.
• Can I use other types of olives?Certainly, you may substitute any preferred type of olive for the kind specified in the recipe. Green olives or kalamata olives are both fine choices.

Substitutions and Variations

Use pesto sauce for a flavor base that differs from tomato sauce.
Substitute burrata cheese for fresh mozzarella to achieve a creamier texture.
If you don’t have lemon mortadella, you can use prosciutto or regular mortadella instead.
Substitute green olives for black olives for a milder taste.
Substitute dried oregano for fresh thyme for a different herbaceous note.

Pro Tips

1. Preheat the Pizza Stone Allow your pizza stone to heat in the oven for at least 30 minutes before baking the pizza. This ensures an evenly crispy crust.

2. Use Room Temperature Dough Let your pizza dough ball come to room temperature before stretching it. This makes it more pliable and easier to shape without tearing.

3. Cheese Layer First Consider placing half of the mozzarella cheese directly on the dough before the tomato sauce. This can prevent the sauce from making the crust soggy and provides an extra layer of flavor.

4. Thin Lemon Slices Ensure the lemon slices are extremely thin to avoid overpowering the pizza with lemon flavor, and cook off its bitterness. This allows the mortadella and other toppings to shine.

5. Rest After Baking Once out of the oven, let the pizza sit for a minute or two before slicing. This helps the cheese set slightly, making it easier to cut and serve without the toppings sliding off.