Christmas Tree Pizza with Spinach and Ricotta Filling

Albero Pizza
Category: Yeasted Dough | Serves: 11

Albero Pizza is a delightful savory creation, shaped like a Christmas tree and filled with a rich, flavorful filling of spinach, ricotta, and Grana Padano. This visually striking dish is perfect for gatherings or a festive meal. With its soft and airy dough, complemented by a creamy and aromatic spinach filling, it’s an unforgettable treat!

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the dough:
   Begin by making the pizza dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine the Manitoba flour and all-purpose flour. Add the sugar, then gradually pour in the water while mixing with your hands to incorporate the ingredients. Add in the olive oil and fine salt, and continue kneading the dough until it absorbs all the liquid. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for about 2 hours at a temperature of 26-28°C (79-82°F) until doubled in size.

2. Prepare the spinach filling:
   While the dough is rising, wash the spinach thoroughly. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large saucepan and add a clove of garlic. Sauté over moderate heat until fragrant. Add the spinach to the pan and cook covered until wilted. Once cooked, remove the spinach and press out any excess water. In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with grated Grana Padano. Season with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg. Mix everything well to form the creamy filling.

3. Shape the pizza:
   Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface. If you like, you can place a sheet of parchment paper underneath the dough to help with rolling. Roll the dough into a rectangle of approximately 40×30 cm. Spread the spinach and ricotta mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1 cm border along the edges. Sprinkle some grated Grana Padano over the filling to help seal the dough.

4. Form the tree shape:
   Carefully roll the dough from the long side to form a tight roll. Keep in mind that this dough is quite soft, so handle it gently. Once rolled, trim off the ends of the dough where there’s less filling. Cut the roll into approximately 3 cm thick slices—this should yield about 11 slices.

5. Assemble the tree:
   Arrange the slices in a tree shape on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place them so that the rounds are slightly touching but not overlapping. Let the dough rounds rise for about 45-60 minutes at room temperature without covering them.

6. Bake the pizza:
   Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) in static mode. Before baking, top the pizza with sliced almonds, black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the tree-shaped pizza is golden brown and cooked through.

7. Serve and enjoy:
   Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve warm and enjoy the delightful flavors of this festive tree-shaped pizza!

This Albero Pizza is perfect for any holiday feast, offering a delicious combination of dough and creamy spinach filling. Whether you’re sharing it at a gathering or serving it as a unique appetizer, its charming appearance and bold flavor will surely impress your guests.

Nutritional Information (per serving)
The nutritional values are approximate and based on standard portion sizes. Each slice of pizza provides:

Enjoy this savory treat with a side salad or as a hearty main dish for a comforting meal!