Potato and Rosemary Pizza
49 min · 11 steps
Medium: 31–60 min or 7–12 steps
About this dish
Inspired by Rome's legendary pizza bianca, this version earns its depth through ultra-thin mandoline-sliced potatoes crisped directly on the dough, a garlic-infused olive oil base, and a 48-hour cold-fermented dough that develops genuine flavour and a blistered, chewy crust.
Allergy Info
Dairy, Gluten
Diet Info
Vegetarian
Ingredients
Fresh Produce
- garlicminced3 cloves
- waxy potatoes (Charlotte or Yukon Gold)peeled and sliced paper-thin on a mandoline (1–2 mm)500 g
- fresh rosemaryleaves stripped4 sprigs
Dairy & Eggs
- low-moisture mozzarellatorn150 g
- Taleggiorind removed and torn into small pieces80 g
- Parmesanfinely grated30 g
Dried Goods
- strong white bread flourplus extra for dusting500 g
- instant dried yeast7 g
- caster sugar5 g
- lukewarm water325 ml
Spices & Seasonings
- fine sea salt10 g
- chilli flakes1 tsp
- flaky sea salt1 tsp
- freshly ground black pepperto taste
Oils & Condiments
- extra-virgin olive oilfor the dough, plus extra for drizzling30 ml
- extra-virgin olive oilfor the base60 ml
Utensils
- large mixing bowl
- mandoline
- pizza stone or heavy baking sheet
- pizza peel
- small bowl
- pastry brush
- cling film
- fine grater
Method
Peel the potatoes and slice them paper-thin (1–2 mm) on a mandoline. Mince the garlic cloves and strip the rosemary leaves from the sprigs. Tear the mozzarella and Taleggio into small pieces, and finely grate the Parmesan.
Combine the bread flour, instant yeast, caster sugar, and fine sea salt in a large bowl and whisk together. Add the lukewarm water and 30 ml olive oil, then mix with your hands until a shaggy dough forms. Turn out onto an unfloured surface and knead firmly for 10 minutes until smooth, elastic, and passing the windowpane test.
Shape the dough into a ball, place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover tightly with cling film, and refrigerate for 48–72 hours to cold ferment.
Remove the dough from the refrigerator and leave it, still covered, at room temperature for 2 hours until relaxed and puffy.
Place a pizza stone or heavy baking sheet on the highest rack of your oven and preheat to 275°C (525°F) for at least 45 minutes.
Combine the minced garlic with the 60 ml olive oil in a small bowl and set aside. Toss the sliced potatoes immediately in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of the garlic oil, a generous pinch of fine salt, and black pepper to prevent browning.
Divide the dough into two equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, stretch and press each portion by hand into a rough oval or circle approximately 30 cm wide. Avoid a rolling pin, which deflates the bubbles.
Dust a pizza peel or the back of a flat baking sheet with semolina or flour, and lay one stretched dough round on top. Brush the surface generously with the remaining garlic oil, leaving a 2 cm border. Scatter half the mozzarella and half the Taleggio over the base, then arrange half the potato slices in an overlapping single layer across the entire surface, pressing them gently into the dough.
Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone and bake for 12–14 minutes until the crust is deeply golden with charred bubbles and the potato edges are crisp and caramelised.
Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately scatter with half the rosemary leaves, half the chilli flakes, half the flaky salt, and half the Parmesan. Finish with a generous drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
Repeat the shaping, topping, baking, and finishing steps with the second dough portion and the remaining toppings. Rest each pizza for 2 minutes before slicing and serving.