Smoked Haddock, Spinach, Ricotta, Cheddar and Spring Onion Pizza

Smoked haddock, ricotta, spinach, cheddar — I’ve been playing with this combination of ingredients for years, but hadn't topped a pizza with it until now. I won't be looking back. Lightly smoked haddock has a wonderful oaky flavour that pairs beautifully with creamy ricotta and fleshy, tender spinach. Mature cheddar adds a rich, salty tang, and the spring onions offer a nice allium bite. 

My local fishmonger in Dorset smokes locally caught haddock in a lean-to next to his shop. Naturally smoked fish has the most wonderful flavour and nice subtle color (unlike imitation haddock, which is dyed bright yellow to mimic the real thing). I always like to pick up a fillet or two when I pass by because it’s just so good. I use it in savoury pies, drop it into soups, flake it into omelettes, and now, on my pizzas. If you like smoky flavours, you’ll love this. 

It’s worth noting that the spinach in this recipe needs to be cooked and squeezed dry before pre-topping to avoid making your pizza soggy; I prefer to use a  cast iron pan in my Ooni. Tender young spinach leaves wilt down in a matter of minutes, so it shouldn't hold you up.


Smoked Haddock, Spinach, Ricotta, Cheddar and Spring Onion Pizza

Note

If smoked fish isn't your thing, swap it out with some smoky pancetta or crack an egg in the middle as it goes into the oven to add an embellishment.

1. As your dough balls rest, fire up the oven.

It will be about 20 minutes before it's ready to cook pizza, but you can start cooking the spinach almost immediately.


2. Place the washed spinach into an Ooni grizzler pan or a medium-sized ovenproof pan, sprinkle with salt, and place in the middle of the oven.

Stir the spinach every minute or so, until the leaves are soft and wilted. Let the spinach cool, then squeeze out excess liquid and set it aside.

3. Use an infrared thermometer to check that your oven is up to temperature — the middle of the baking stone should be between 400-450°C.

 

4. Stretch your dough on a lightly floured surface.

Push the air from the center out toward the crust, then use your fingers to stretch the base to about 10 inches.

Pro tip: Use a pastry bag to have more control over the ricotta distribution. If you don’t have a pastry bag, you can fill the corner of a resealable plastic bag and cut the end off to pipe the cheese onto your pizza.

5. Evenly dot the pizza with a quarter of the ricotta, then distribute a quarter of the spinach and flaked fish in between.

Next, sprinkle on a quarter of the cheddar, followed by the spring onions. Season with a twist of black pepper and pinch of crunchy sea salt, and finish with a drizzle of your best olive oil.

6. Dust the peel with a touch of semolina, then slide it under the pizza and place it in the oven.

Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, using the peel to rotate the pizza every 20 seconds to ensure an even cook.

7. Cut into six slices, serve, and enjoy.

Repeat this process with the remaining pizzas.