Artichoke, olive and Parma ham pizza with an egg on top – a delicious favorite that is hard to beat

A gourmet twist on the classic Italian Bismarck pizza (a pizza with an egg on top, usually topped with ham, tomato and mozzarella), this artichoke, olive, and parma ham pizza, topped with a perfectly fried egg, is both indulgent and an easy crowd pleaser.

This recipe makes one pizza, serves one, and is the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making for a pizza recipe that’s as bold as it is sophisticated. But scale it up for a pizza party.

Ingredients

• About 2 tbsp coarse polenta or cornmeal
• Extra Virgin olive oil
• 1 dough ball (try the best ever pizza dough recipe) at room temperature and 2-3 tbsp tomato sauce
• Half a 4.4 oz ball buffalo mozzarella, drained and torn into pieces
• 3 pieces marinated artichokes heart antipasti in oil, drained
• Small handful pitted black olives
• Pinch of fresh or dried oregano leaves
• Fresh free-range egg
• A few basil leaves
• 2 slices Parma ham, torn

The Homes & Gardens method

1. Pre-heat the over to 450°F, gas mark 8, or as hot as it will go.
2. Prepare a sturdy baking sheet or pizza stone as described in the Piazza Bianco recipe.
3. Place a large baking sheet or pizza stone on the base of the oven.
4. On a work surface, lay out a silicone mat or a large rectangle of non-stick baking paper and scatter it with polenta or cornmeal to stop the pizza from sticking.
5. Using oiled hands, gently tease and stretch the dough out into a rough round, about 7.5 inches in diameter. The pizza should have a slightly thicker border all around the edge.
6. Spread the tomato sauce sparingly over the pizza, keeping the border clear. Leaving a space in the centre, dot with the mozzarella, artichoke pieces, olives and oregano. Carefully break the egg into the centre of the pizza.
7. Slide the pizza into the oven and leave to cook for 12 minutes, or until the dough is puffed and golden, and the topping is bubbling. Scatter with basil leaves and extra fresh oregano.
8. Finish with the Parma ham and a drizzle of olive oil.

As a pizza lover, you might be wondering: should you buy a pizza oven? While it’s a considerable investment, the difference in performance is undeniable. Pizza ovens can reach temperatures up to 1100°F, compared to the typical 500°F of a standard kitchen oven. This higher heat results in a perfectly crispy crust and evenly melted toppings, giving you that authentic pizzeria experience right at home.

And for those looking to elevate their pizza cooking game even further, this pizza oven table with pizza topping station from Amazon offers plenty of space to organize and prep your ingredients, making the process even more enjoyable and efficient.