Winter is here and the outdoor temperatures have dropped low enough to discourage spending time outdoors. Your family now prefers to saty inside where it is cosy and warm. However, what if there is a way for you to get the best of both worlds? What if you can enjoy the outdoors once in a while as you cook to nourish hungry stomachs?
Take a second look at your wood-fired pizza oven. You can still make use of it, even though it is cold outside. In fact, it can act as both a source of heat and a cooking vessel. So, perhaps you can take this opportunity to create delicious meals that will help ward off the chill of winter. Moreover, you and your family can enjoy foods which carry the unique smoky flavour infused by wood-fired ovens. Therefore, you can get comfortable, delight your palette with different tastes, and enjoy the outdoors in a warm little bubble for a transcendent experience.
So, here’s your chance. Get outside, fire up your pizza oven and give a few of these wonderful winter recipes a try:
Baked Brie
Warm cheese on a cold afternoon? Yes, please! Use your pizza oven to make this delightful appetiser that will make your taste buds hum in delight.
To make the baked brie, wrap a block of the cheese in some puff pastry. If you want to give it a little extra pop of flavour, add some jam on the inside. Next, place it in the oven, where the pastry will become nice and crispy while the brie inside stays warm and gooey. Once you’ve sampled this dish, you will be reaching for more without skipping a beat.
Focaccia Bread
While pizza ovens are good for…well…pizzas, they can also make exceptional bread. Additionally, there are few things better than a fresh piece of warm bread straight from the oven. As such, good focaccia bread has a crispy, salty crust with a fluffy centre.
Beyond the fluffy texture, focaccia bread contains a mix of aromatic herbs like garlic or thyme to add dimension to the flavour profile that will leave you satisfied. Give this recipe a try and prepare to be wowed.
Rosemary Potatoes
Potatoes are a winter staple due to their hearty nature and the abundance of dishes you can make to help ward off the chill. For the ideal wood-roasted rosemary potatoes, palace some potatoes on a tray and drizzle some oil on top. Pro-tip, use animal fat such as pork or duck fat instead of vegetable oil for more flavour. Next, sprinkle salt, pepper, and some fresh rosemary leaves, then place them in the oven to bake.
Rosemary potatoes pack a flavourful punch, and those made in wood-fired ovens have quite a bit of extra flavour and texture. Your potatoes will be crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Garnish with a few chopped scallions and serve with a side of whipped sour cream for dipping.
Boston Bake Beans
Take breakfast to a whole new level with this wood-fired breakfast treat. It contains a delightful flavour profile yet is simple to execute.
This meal calls for a mix of bacon, onions, beans, sugar, tomatoes and other ingredients which come together in the oven for an irresistible outcome. Who knows, your family may hoist you onto a pedestal after they have had a taste of these baked beans.
Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Cranberry Pizza
Of course, if you will use a pizza oven, you must make pizza, right? So why not give this pizza a try? The soft, creamy goat cheese and butternut squash are the ideal savoury duo for a winter dish. Add to that the tart and sweet cranberries as well as the flavourful onions then you will have a pizza treat to warm you through and through.
Sausage and Ricotta Pizza
The beauty of pizza is how versatile it is. Moreover, since you are making it at home, there is almost no limit to what toppings you can add. You can personalise it as much as you want. This sausage and ricotta pizza is just one example of what you can do. You may use whichever type of sausage you prefer, be it beef, lamb or any other which takes your fancy. Add some onions and cheese to round out the line-up. If you want it extra cheesy, include some parmesan and mozzarella.
So, this winter, do not hesitate to fire up your wood-fired pizza oven and flex your creative culinary muscle. Moreover, make the most of all its benefits by using it to draw your family and friends closer for time well spent around the oven. As a result, you will have fun and make delightful new memories while filling your bellies with hearty, satisfying meals.