If you’re in the mood for something unconventional, but at the same time simple, lemon-basil pizza is exactly the type of food that will surprise you after the first bite. The combination of soft cheese, fresh lemon and aromatic herbs creates a taste that is light, springy and completely different from the classic pizza with a tomato base. This “white pizza” is based on the simplicity of the ingredients, which work surprisingly well together.
The basis is pizza dough, which you can prepare at home or use high-quality purchased. It is important that it is at room temperature – then it is much easier to work with and better shaped. After rolling out, the dough is rubbed with olive oil and the flavor begins to layer in – first garlic, shallots and herbs, which caramelize beautifully during baking and add a distinct aroma. Lemon-basil pizza is proof that even unconventional combinations can work perfectly. It is ideal for all those who want to try something new, but at the same time don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. A few high-quality ingredients are enough to create a dish that looks simple but tastes exceptional.
- 1/2 pizza dough
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons of roasted sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 2 pods garlic, chopped
- 1 shallotcut in half
- chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 3/4 cup grated mozzarelly
- 3/4 cup grated cheese provolone
- 1 small lemon thinly sliced
- fresh leaves basil
Preheat the oven to 230°C. On a lightly floured board, roll out the dough until it is thin (about a 25-30 cm circle). Transfer the dough to a baking sheet. Brush the dough lightly with olive oil and then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, thyme, garlic, shallots and chili flakes. Drizzle with honey. Add mozzarella and provolone. Arrange lemon slices on top of the cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the cheese is bubbling. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with 2 large handfuls of fresh basil. Done!
