There are two essential elements of a classic Finnish summer: a refreshing lakeside sauna and mouth-watering smoked salmon. But if you’re nowhere near a lake, have no fear–you can still experience the essence of summer in Finland with The Beezer from restaurateur, pizza enthusiast and author of “Homemade Pizza - but Better,” Jukka “Slicemonger” Salminen (@jukkasalminen).  

For those not in the know (i.e. folks in North America), “beezer” is UK slang that means something around the lines of “really cool dude.” Jukka created this really cool pizza topped with unexpected ingredients like pickled onions, capers and deep-fried sage; the real star, though, has to be the salmon. With its distinct smoky taste and firm texture, this homemade pizza works great for any meal, including a savoury breakfast. 

The Beezer also proves that pizzas don’t always need tomato sauce. In this case, the tangy, citrusy bite of the crème fraîche sauce works just as well and balances nicely with the flavours and textures of the salmon. Finished off with pickled red onions, deep-fried sage and a drizzle of olive oil, the only thing that might be missing when you dig into The Beezer is the lakeside view.