Pizza Sandwiches

A poolish is a type of pre-ferment used in bread-making, particularly in French and Italian breads. It's essentially a mixture of flour, water, and a small amount of yeast, allowed to ferment for a period of time before being incorporated into the final dough.

The primary purpose of a poolish is to enhance the flavour, texture, and structure of the bread. During the fermentation process, the yeast in the poolish begins to break down the starches in the flour, producing flavourful by products like alcohol and organic acids. This contributes to a more complex and aromatic pizza sandwich bread.

Additionally, the pre-fermentation of the flour in the poolish helps to develop gluten, resulting in a bread with a better rise, finer crumb, and chewier texture.

Overall, incorporating a poolish into bread-making adds depth of flavour and improves the overall quality of the final product, and makes the best addition to any pizza sandwich.

Wood-fired cooking has been a culinary tradition for centuries, celebrated for its ability to infuse food with unparalleled flavour. When it comes to pizza sandwiches, harnessing the power of a wood-fired oven takes this beloved dish to new heights, creating a culinary experience that tantalises the taste buds and satisfies the soul.

At the heart of the wood-fired pizza sandwich lies the wood itself, typically hardwoods like oak, cherry, or maple, which burn at high temperatures and impart a distinct smoky essence to anything cooked within their fiery embrace. This smokiness is a crucial element in enhancing the flavor of the pizza sandwich, as it adds depth and complexity that cannot be replicated by conventional cooking methods.

The magic begins with the pizza sandwich dough, a fundamental component of any pizza sandwich. Made from simple ingredients—flour, water, yeast, salt—the dough undergoes a transformation in the intense heat of the wood-fired oven. The radiant heat from the flames crisps the exterior of the dough, creating a blistered, golden-brown crust with a satisfying crunch. Meanwhile, the smoky aroma permeates the dough, infusing it with a subtle yet unmistakable wood-fired flavor that sets it apart from its oven-baked counterparts.
As the dough bakes, the toppings come alive, their flavors intensified by the heat of the oven. The tangy marinara sauce, rich with tomatoes and herbs, caramelizes around the edges, adding a hint of sweetness and depth. Generous handfuls of mozzarella cheese melt into a gooey, molten blanket, while savoury toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, and peppers release their aromatic oils, mingling with the wood smoke to create an irresistible symphony of flavours.

But perhaps the most magical element of wood-fired cooking is the unpredictability it brings. Each pizza sandwich that emerges from the oven is unique, its crust charred in just the right places, its toppings perfectly caramelized, its flavours perfectly balanced. It's a testament to the artistry of wood-fired cooking, where mastery of the flame yields culinary creations that transcend the ordinary and delight the senses.

In the end, it's not just about making a sandwich—it's about crafting an experience. From the crackle of the wood to the aroma of the toppings, every aspect of the wood-fired pizza sandwich speaks to the timeless allure of cooking with fire. So the next time you crave a taste of something extraordinary, fire up the oven, gather your ingredients, and prepare to embark on a culinary journey like no other. So enjoy!