Smoky Breakfast Pizzas

(4)

Chef Justin Bazdarich makes his Kind Brother pizza at Speedy Romeo in Brooklyn extra decadent with a combination of béchamel and smoked mozzarella. This easy version also gets a kick from smoked mozzarella, plus a drizzle of fresh basil oil for a pop of freshness.

Active Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
55 mins
Servings:
4
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves (about ½ ounce)

  • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing pans

  • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated

  • Kosher salt, to taste

  • Black pepper, to taste

  • 1 pound fresh prepared pizza dough or store-bought pizza dough, cut evenly into 4 pieces, at room temperature

  • All-purpose flour, for dusting

  • 6 ounces smoked mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)

  • 2 ounces pecorino Romano cheese, grated (about 1/2 cup)

  • ½ cup thinly sliced fresh mixed wild mushrooms

  • Crushed red pepper, to taste

  • 4 large eggs

Directions

  1. Process basil, oil, and garlic in a food processor until smooth, about 25 seconds. Transfer to a small bowl; season with salt and black pepper to taste.

  2. Preheat oven to 450°F with racks in upper third and lower third positions. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets with oil. Dust 1 dough piece with flour, and place on a lightly floured work surface; stretch into a 7-inch circle. Transfer to prepared pan. Repeat with remaining dough pieces.

  3. Sprinkle dough circles evenly with mozzarella, pecorino, and mushrooms, leaving a 1/2-inch border for the crust. Sprinkle pizzas with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper to taste. Bake in preheated oven until crusts are puffed and starting to brown, 7 to 9 minutes.

  4. Remove pizzas from oven. Using the back of a spoon, make a small well in center of each pizza. Crack 1 egg into each well. Return pizzas to oven, rotating pans between top and bottom racks from previous bake. Bake at 450°F until egg whites are set but yolks are still runny, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve with basil oil.

    Smoky Breakfast Pizzas
    Photo by Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Christine Keely
Originally appeared: February 2021

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