Charred Scallion and Artichoke Flammkuchen (German Pizza)

Crispy crust topped with lemony crème fraîche and smoky, charred vegetables makes a delicious meal or party appetizer. Hey, strangers!

I feel like I need to reintroduce myself because it has been far too long since I’ve shared a post.

I’m Jen and I thought my life was pretty normal…

…until my husband’s job recently landed us in Germany for a few years. That’s right, I went from living comfortably and content in Connecticut to living as an American expat in Germany.

Today marks one month since we arrived and dare I say, I think I’m beginning to find some clarity.Certain instances feel just like home to us. We love our house and we are all confident within these walls. When we are all together, eating dinner, hanging out, or breaking up the bickering, it often feels as though we don’t even have a new zip code.

The German world outside our walls is another story. It can be so tough at times. In fact, our theme word has become “difficult.” We do have a sense of humor about it, but almost everything about this new life in Germany has been full of difficulty.

We are constantly trying to find comfort while still aiming to be adventurous.

So, in keeping with what seems to be my norm lately, I’m thrilled to share my first expat recipe post.
Pizza. Comforting and familiar.Flammkuchen, or German pizza. Adventurous!Flammkuchen is easy to make! Uncomplicated. Opposite of difficult! Prost to that!

Flammkuchen originated in South Germany when bakers would test the temperature of their ovens. The time it took for the dough to blister and crisp told the bakers when the ovens were ready to bake their bread.

It’s this crispy, thin, almost cracker-like crust that makes this “flame cake” so special. The dough is rolled really really thin before going in the hot oven to bake.The classic Flammkuchen is topped with crème fraîche, bacon, and onions. It’s a really delicious combination!

I couldn’t resist adding my own twist to this tart-like pizza though. First, I charred up some sliced scallions and artichoke hearts in a piping hot cast iron skillet.Then, I loaded up the crème fraîche with lemon zest for brightness. And while Flammkuchen doesn’t traditionally include cheese, I decided to toss on a little bit of shredded mozzarella for some creaminess (and that comfort we are longing for). Toasted pine nuts, scallion slices, and fresh parsley top it off.Served piping hot from the oven, this was a delightful lighter meal that, by the way, was a perfect pairing to a cold German Riesling. The earthiness of the artichokes and the sweet and smoky bite of the scallions work so nice together.

The charr on the veggies was key, giving the pizza a “wood fired oven” taste, which made it feel a little more authentic to the traditional way of making a Flammkuchen. As we enjoyed this rustic little dinner, we talked about how fun it would be to host a casual “Flammkuchen with Friends” (and wine, of course!) where guests can create their own topping combinations to share. Who’s in?! Have you ever enjoyed a traditional Flammkuchen?

The dough recipe only requires 4 ingredients and is quick to whip up. If you’re not up for the homemade dough, try experimenting with a Flammuchen-inspired pizza by using store bought dough, puff pastry, and even tortillas.

Love artichokes as much as me? Try my Easy Baked Parmesan Artichoke Bites, perfect for parties or topping on your next salad. Or go ahead and drizzle this Artichoke Purée over a Warm Spaghetti Squash Salad for an simple yet elegant dish. I hope you’ll follow me on my new adventures here in Germany as I navigate the grocery stores, my itty bitty kitchen appliances, decorating a rental home, and learning a new culture.

Be sure to follow my Instagram stories too for quick updates and adventurous trips.