Oscypek Cheese & Kielbasa Pizza
Our culinary adventures and love for travel and exploration lead us to the rich tapestry of flavours from around the globe, and today, we’re diving into the heart of Eastern Europe with our Oscypek Cheese & Kielbasa Pizza. This pizza is a celebration of traditional Polish cuisine, bringing together the smoky and robust flavours of our homemade kielbasa with the distinct, salty tang of Oscypek cheese.
Oscypek, a smoked cheese made from sheep’s milk in the Tatra Mountains of Poland, offers a flavour profile that is very unique. Its firm texture and rich, smoky flavour make it a perfect pairing for the hearty kielbasa. Kielbasa, a staple of Polish cuisine, is a traditionally smoked sausage that adds a deep, meaty character to every bite.
Oscypek and kielbasa come together to create a pizza that is hearty and delicious. The addition of spring onions introduces a fresh, crisp contrast, while a drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) smoothly finishes off this pizza.
Oscypek Cheese & Kielbasa Pizza
Equipment
- Outdoor Pizza Oven, Pizza Steel, or Stone (if using a home oven)
- 1 Pizza Peel
- 1 sauce ladle
- 1 frying pan (for the kielbasa)
- 1 wooden chopping board or peel for prep and serving
Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough ball
- 1 ladle of pizza sauce
- Oscypek (Polish smoked cheese)
- Fresh mozzarella cheese
- Polish Kielbasa (preferred, if inaccessible use sausage type of choice)
- Spring onion
- Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: Follow any of our dough recipes. You will need to prepare the dough at least 24 hours ahead of time.
- Prepare Sauce: We recommend our standard pizza sauce which is versatile, simple to make and is perfect for Neapolitan style pizzas. Spice up this sauce however you like, remember the best part about making pizza is the creative process!
- Prepare Cheese: Place your fresh mozzarella in a container or bowl with a paper towel at the bottom to allow some of the water to drain. Tear mozzarella into medium-sized pieces. Then, cut the oscypek into similar-sized pieces. Set aside.
- Prepare Polish Kielbasa: Cut the Polish kielbasa into medium-sized square or rectangular pieces. Fry over medium heat in a frying pan for 2 – 3 minutes. Set aside for assembly.
- Prepare Spring Onion: Finely chop one spring onion. Set aside.
- Preheat Oven:If using an outdoor pizza like an Ooni pizza oven, aim for a temperature of 450-500°C at the center of your pizza stone. Use an infrared thermometer to ensure accuracy. It should take around 25-30 minutes to reach temperature.For a home oven, using a pizza steel or stone, place the stone or steel inside the oven and preheat to the highest temperature for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare Base: On a lightly floured surface, stretch out the dough by hand according to the steps outlined in our dough recipe. Once you're happy with the shape of the base, lightly dust your pizza peel and transfer the dough onto the peel.
- Assemble Pizza: Start by spreading a ladle of sauce in a circular motion from the center outward. Distribute mozzarella pieces, ensuring they’re evenly spaced. The cheese pieces should be around 2 cm in diameter and at least 1.5 cms apart. Add the oscypek, followed by the Polish kielbasa, and a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
- Bake Your Pizza:If you're using an outdoor pizza oven, launch the pizza into the oven and bake for 60-90 seconds. Keep an eye on the pie and rotate every 10-15 seconds to ensure even cooking and to avoid burning.For a home oven with a pizza steel or stone, the bake time should be around 7-10 minutes.
- Serving: Once done, remove the pizza from the oven and place it on a serving board. Now it's time to enjoy your delicious homemade Oscypek cheese & kielbasa pizza!
