Eggplant and Olive Pizza

Indulge in the delightful fusion of flavors with our Eggplant and Olive pizza—a true symphony of taste and texture on a single 13-inch crust. Eggplant, one of the most underrated pizza toppings, takes center stage, showcasing its tender goodness after being fully cooked and artfully added to the perfectly baked pizza. Complementing this star ingredient are the fried capers, providing little salty-crunchy explosions of flavor. The secret to getting the capers just right lies in the slow frying process, gradually removing moisture, rendering them crispy yet slightly soft in the center. With every bite, you’ll experience a harmonious blend of roasted eggplant, earthy olives, and the subtle zing of capers, all brought together on a Khorasan Dough crust. Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary pizza adventure that celebrates the charm of Mediterranean-inspired flavors on an Italian classic.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (13-ounce/370-gram) ball Khorasan Dough
• Flour, for dusting
• 1 small (12 ounces/340 grams) globe eggplant, cut crosswise into slices ¼ inch thick
• Olive oil, for brushing
• Canola oil, for deep-frying
• 1½ tablespoons(18 grams) capers, rinsed and dried on paper towels
• ½ teaspoon (1.5 grams) finely chopped garlic
• Fine sea salt
• 8 ounces (225 grams) whole-milk mozzarella cheese, shredded (2 cups)
• 5 oil-cured black olives, pitted and halved lengthwise
• 5 Mediterranean mixed olives, pitted and halved lengthwise
• 5 Castelvetrano olives, pitted and halved lengthwise
• 1 lemon wedge
• Small piece organic sharp white Cheddar cheese, preferably Cabot, cold, for shaving
• Red pepper flakes, for sprinkling

PREPARATIONS:

1. Preheat the oven with two pizza stones or baking steels to 500°F for 1 hour.
2. Place the eggplant slices on a sheet pan and brush both sides with olive oil.
3. Bake the eggplant slices until soft and golden brown, turning them over halfway through.
4. Fry the capers slowly in canola oil until crisp, then drain on paper towels.
5. Dice the warm eggplant, add garlic, and season lightly with salt.
6. Dust the work surface with flour, then roll out the Khorasan Dough to a 13-inch round.
7. Transfer the dough to a wooden peel.
8. Mound the shredded mozzarella in the center of the dough, leaving a border.
9. Bake the pizza until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
10. Top the pizza with eggplant, olives, and capers, and squeeze lemon juice over the top.
11. Shave the Cheddar over the pizza and finish with a pinch of red pepper flakes.

YIELD:

• One 13-inch pizza with 6 slices.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Fry the capers slowly to achieve crispy texture with a slightly soft center.

TIPS:

• Experiment with different olives for varied flavor combinations.
• Reserve the remaining cooked eggplant for other culinary creations.

The Eggplant and Olive pizza is a true testament to the art of pizza-making, combining distinct flavors and textures into a harmonious culinary experience. Eggplant, often overlooked as a pizza topping, takes center stage in this masterpiece, adding a tender, roasted touch to each bite. But what elevates this pizza to greatness are the fried capers—little salty bursts of flavor that create an unforgettable taste sensation.

The slow frying of the capers is key to their success, gradually removing moisture to achieve the ideal balance of crispy exterior and a slightly soft center. As you savor each slice, you’ll experience the warmth of perfectly baked Khorasan Dough, the creaminess of whole-milk mozzarella cheese, and the delightful combination of olives—oil-cured black, Mediterranean mixed, and Castelvetrano—providing earthy notes and a burst of Mediterranean charm.

With a squeeze of lemon juice, the flavors come to life, brightening the overall taste profile and enhancing the richness of the eggplant and olives. The finishing touch—a delicate shaving of organic sharp white Cheddar cheese—adds a hint of tangy complexity that harmonizes effortlessly with the other ingredients.

Our Eggplant and Olive pizza is more than just a sum of its parts—it’s an exploration of flavors that transport you to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean, where the bounty of the land meets the vibrant spirit of Italian cuisine. It’s a celebration of creativity and passion, bringing together unique ingredients to create a pizza experience like no other.

As you take your last bite, you’ll find yourself yearning for more of this exquisite fusion of flavors. The Eggplant and Olive pizza invites you to indulge in a culinary adventure that celebrates the magic of pizza while pushing the boundaries of tradition. With each mouthwatering slice, you’ll be reminded of the artistry that goes into crafting the perfect pizza—blending bold ingredients, precise cooking techniques, and a touch of creativity.

So, embark on this gastronomic journey with us and savor the enchanting medley of eggplant, olives, and capers on a canvas of Khorasan Dough. Experience the joy of discovering new flavors and rediscovering old favorites on a pizza that transcends the ordinary. The Eggplant and Olive pizza is more than a meal; it’s a culinary celebration of life’s simple pleasures, shared with friends and family, and cherished in every delectable moment.