Ultimate Umami Mushroom Pizza


Ingredients
- 4 brown mushrooms (3 for reduction, 1 for topping)
- 1 brown onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Reserved mushroom stock or water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme
- Fresh mozzarella ball
- Low-moisture mozzarella
- Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
- Ricotta
- Olive oil
- Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- Chilli oil, for finishing
Method
1. Make the Mushroom Reduction
- Heat a sauté pan over medium-high heat with a knob of butter and a splash of olive oil.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until softened.
- Add 3 of the brown mushrooms, roughly chopped.
- Cook slowly for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the mushrooms to release and cook out their liquid.
- Once dry, cool slightly.
- Add the reserved mushroom stock or water, and continue cooking down until the mixture is thick and the mushrooms are nearly falling apart.
- Remove from heat and blend using a stick blender or standard blender until smooth.
Set aside to cool, either in a piping bag or covered bowl.
2. Assemble the Pizza
- Preheat your oven as hot as it will go (ideally 250°C or higher).
- Stretch your pizza dough to the desired shape.
- Drizzle olive oil over the base.
- Spread a generous layer of the mushroom reduction across the dough.
- Sprinkle over plenty of Parmigiano Reggiano.
- Top with thinly sliced raw mushroom (from the remaining mushroom), fresh mozzarella, and low-moisture mozzarella.
- Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and caramelised.
- Finish with extra Parmigiano Reggiano, dollops of whipped ricotta, and a drizzle of chilli oil.
Savour every bite of this deeply savoury, cheesy mushroom pizza — it’s comfort food with serious flavour credentials.