Semi-Wholewheat Pizza with Brie

The semi-wholewheat pizza with brie is a tasty variation that offers a different twist to traditional pizza with a healthier use of flour. Here’s how to make it.

Ingredients

• 250 g of wholewheat flour
• 250 g of type 00 flour
• 300 ml of warm water
• 1 sachet of dry yeast (or 25 g of fresh baker’s yeast)
• 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of sugar (optional, to aid fermentation)
• 200 g of brie
• Tomato passata as needed
• Dried oregano as needed
• Salt as needed
• Extra virgin olive oil as needed

Preparation

1. Start by activating the yeast: dissolve the dry (or fresh) yeast in a little warm water with a teaspoon of sugar. Let it rest for about 10 minutes until it starts to form bubbles on the surface.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flours together. Make a well in the center and add the activated yeast, salt, olive oil, and start kneading while gradually adding the rest of the water.
3. Work the dough on a slightly floured surface until it is smooth and elastic, which should take about 10 minutes. If necessary, add a little more flour or water to reach the desired consistency.
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or cling film, and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until it has doubled in volume.
5. Once risen, briefly knead the dough to remove air bubbles and divide it into balls, depending on the pizza size you prefer.
6. Roll out each ball of dough onto a lightly oiled pizza tray or parchment paper to the desired thickness.
7. Spread the tomato passata over the base, leaving a free edge around the borders.
8. Cut the brie into thin slices and place them on the tomato passata. Sprinkle with dried oregano and a pinch of salt.
9. Bake in a preheated oven at 220 °C for about 15-20 minutes, or until the edges of the pizza are golden and the brie is melted and slightly colored.
10. Remove the pizza from the oven, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and let it rest for a few minutes before cutting and serving.

Interesting Fact

Brie is a very versatile French cheese that pairs well with the flavors of pizza. Its creaminess contrasts perfectly with the crunchiness of a well-cooked base. In Italy, the use of creamy cheeses on pizza originated in relatively recent times, but it quickly became popular for the richness of flavor it can offer.