Salmon & Fennel Pizza

For a modern take on the humble pizza, why not try a salmon and fennel topping? Great for entertaining, your guests will be impressed with your culinary pairing and your take on this classic Italian pizza combination. 

Method
1. For the dough: Place the yeast in a small bowl and add 175 ml of the warm water. Stir briefly and set aside for 5 minutes, stirring in 1 tbsp of the sugar after 2 minutes.

2. Combine the remaining sugar with the flour and salt in a separate mixing bowl and stir well.

3. Make a well in the centre and add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Start to mix and then gradually add the remaining warm water to the bowl, mixing until a rough dough comes together.

4. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until almost smooth.

5. Place in an oiled bowl, cover with an oiled piece of clingfilm, and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

6. After rising, preheat the oven to 230°C (210° fan) | 450F | gas 8. Turn out the dough and punch it down.

7. Divide into four and roll out on a lightly floured surface into approximate 15 cm | 6" wide rounds.

8. Arrange between two floured, rimless baking trays and cover loosely with more oiled clingfilm. Leave to rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.

9. After rising, preheat a barbecue to a moderately hot temperature.

10. For the toppings: Arrange the smoked salmon slices on the dough, folding them to fit as needed. Top with fennel slices, grated Cheddar, mozzarella, fennel fronds, and a drizzle of olive oil.

11. Once the barbecue is preheated, brush the grates with some olive oil.

12. Carefully slide the dough onto the barbecue. Cover with a lid and let cook for 2 minutes until the bases are starting to brown.

13. Remove the lid and check the undersides of the dough; they should be starting to brown. If not, cover again and cook for a further 1-2 minutes.

14. Once browned, continue to cook for 1-2 minutes further until the cheese is melted and the toppings are starting to brown.

15. Carefully remove the pizzas from the barbecue and let stand briefly before serving.

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Ingredients

• 1 tbsp active dry yeast
• 300 ml warm water, at ~43° C | 110F
• 1 1/2 tbsp caster sugar
• 450 g | 3 1/4 cups strong bread flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for brushing and drizzling
• 8 smoked salmon slices
• 100 g | 1 cup Cheddar, grated
• 125 g | 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella, drained and torn into pieces
• 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced on a mandoline, fronds reserved

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