Fellow dog lovers, fear not. Absolutely no German Shepherds were harmed during the making of the following pizza. The name refers to this pizzas origins in the Alsace region of France rather than any canine connections. Indeed, some may even question the naming of the dish “pizza” as there is no Italian connection nor any tomato sauce and only a smidgen of cheese is used in the rich and creamy topping. Can this really be pizza?
Dunno. Don’t really care much either. It just tastes really, really good.
True Alsatian pizzas have a much thinner base than this version (which is light and airy) and I fully intend on discovering a perfect recipe for such a crust in time for a vegetarian version of this dish. Until then though, I shall resort to my fool-proof Stephanie Alexander recipe which takes very little time and even less effort to make.
Ideal for a lazy Sunday lunch on a snowy spring afternoon.
Alsatian Pizza
(makes 2 ample pizzas or 4 modest ones)
Base
250g plain flour
175ml buttermilk
1 tblspn olive oil
1 tspn salt
1/2 tspn bicarbonate of soda
Topping
3 rashers of back bacon (with rind), smoked or unsmoked – chopped
1 onion, sliced
1/2 cup creme fraiche
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 tblspn plain flour
1/4 tspn thyme
Seasoning
Handful of grated mozzarella
- In a food processor whizz together the ingredients for the pizza base until they just combine. Remove from processor and knead for a minute or two until silky smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl covered by a tea towel and leave for 45 minutes.
- Preheat oven with baking trays inside to 215 oC.
- Add the bacon to a frying pan and cook over a medium heat for a couple of minutes until some fat is released. Add the onions and fry until the onions are softened but not coloured.
- Meawhile, whizz together the creme fraiche, cottage cheese and thyme until smooth. Season carefully.
- When the dough has rested for 45 minutes, separate into two or four pieces and roll out thinly onto pieces of baking paper.. Spread the creamy mixture onto each base and top as evenly as possible with the onions and bacon. Sprinkle with just a little mozzarella or emmental cheese.
- Carefully slide the pizzas and baking paper onto the hot baking tray and bake for 15 minutes until golden and crisp.
A Wee Bit of Cooking 
Yay – first!
I’ve not had an Alsatian pizza – but have had a v thin tart with these ingredients.
But hey, pizza’s got to be even better, so this is going straight onto my ‘must make’ list. Cheers for sharing the recipe.
Fabulous ‘pizza’. I’ve been cooking all long weekend from Alexander and, to be honest, I reckon it’s the only cookbook anyone needs!
Snowy spring afternoon, you say? Lovely. We had some rain and, standing outside this morning, picking the last cherry toms from their vines, I can smell more on its way. Love the changing seasons from our very different parts of the globe. X
Oh. Yum. !!!
Cheers,
*Heather*
Sounds good Wendy and looks fabulous 🙂
Wendy, this looks so appetizing & yummie!! I have never had this sort of pizza!!
What’s in a name? That’s one great looking ‘pizza’.
Aforkfullofspaghetti – Oh, let me know how it goes! 🙂
Lucy – Couldn’t agree more about the Alexander. There’s so much to discover. Had the book since October and I haven’t even scratched the surface.
I can see Spring coming here. The snowdrops are dying and crocuses and daffies are coming up instead. Even saw a little blossom on a tree this morning. It’s still bloody cold though!
Heather – It is! 🙂
Holler – It tastes as creamy and naughty as it looks. 🙂
Sophie – It’s quite new to me too but I really do like it. 🙂
Sylvie – Thanks! 😀
Wendy- I love that there are 4 different types of dairy products that go into making this pizza- it looks awesome. I’ve never heard the words “Alsatian” and “pizza” paired together before.
Thanks for sharing, it may just make it into my weekly Friday night pizza repertoire.
Do let us know when you have the Alsatian recipe up. This does sound yummy, too, of course. 😉
I love the ‘don’t know, don’t care’ attitude. As long as it tastes good I’m indifferent to names.
I was in the Alsace region last summer. Its called Tarte Flambe – its sold everywhere and is absolutely delicious. Your recipe looks like a pretty good version of it. Can’t wait to try!
Ooh – delicious. I’ve had these in Alsace (called both tarte flambée or flammekeuche) and they are seriously good. Strangely moreish too.
Siri – Yeah, I’m a dairy girl too!
DaviMack – Watch this space. Determined to crack the recipe.
Trekkie – Glad you agree. 🙂
Antonia – When I got too full to eat much more, I found myself licking off the topping! More-ish indeed.
always looking for recipes to try different pizzas in my shop. thanks. i now have another one to test with my customers. will let you know how i get on.