Pizza

Pizza… Yum. Isn’t that the first word that comes to your mind? I am sure this is one of the most sought after dish of kids. Why go to expensive pizza outlets and eat maida pizza, when you can easily make these at home and that too in a much healthier and cheaper way. Learn to perfect the art of making pizza and appreciate the versatility of this dough. Use the same to make garlic bead, zingy parcel, burger pizza and may more.

Ingredients:

For the base:

• Whole wheat flour 200 gm ~ 1 1/2 cups
• Maida 30-35 gm ~ 1/4cups
• Semolina/chirotti rava 2 tbsp
• Salt to taste
• Sugar 1 tsp
• Instant yeast 1/2 tsp
• Olive oil 1-2 tbsp
• Milk plus lukewarm water ~ 1 cup minus 1-2 tbsp

For the topping:

• Mozarella/cheddar cheese 200 gm
• Onion 1 small
• Tomato 1 small
• Bell pepper few pieces
• Paneer cubes 2 tbsp (optional)
• Mushroom few slices (optional)
• Boiled corn few kernels
• Black and green olives 5-6
• Jalapenos to taste
• Oregano as required
• Chilli flakes 1 tsp
• Pepper powder to taste

Method:

Pizza sauce :

• Saute 2-3 finely chopped garlic, 1/2 of an onion and half a cup of tomato puree.
• Add little sugar, salt, chilli flakes, oregano and 1 tablespoon of tomato sauce.
• Cook well till it thickens. Pizza sauce is ready.

For the pizza base:

• Mix all the dry ingredients including the instant yeast. Make a soft smooth and pliable dough using the milk and water mixture and oil.
• Knead for 10-12 minutes just like any bread dough. Keep the kneaded dough in an oiled bowl covered with cling film for an hour or more till it doubles in size.
• Gently punch the dough to knock out the gases and knead gently for a minute or so.
• The dough for making the pizza base is ready.

To make a thick crust pizza:

• Take around 250 gm of the dough and roll it into a thick roti and place it on the pizza pan ( I have used a 10 inches pan ).

• Prick the rolled dough uniformly with fork. Apply pizza sauce and spread evenly.
• Top with veggies of your choice ( onion, tomato, capsicum, paneer, mushroom, jalapenos, green and black olives ).
• Sprinkle loads of shredded mozzarella cheese, oregano and chilli flakes on top of the veggies and keep it aside for 25-30 minutes.

• Bake at 180-190 degree celsius in a preheated oven for 20-22 minutes or till the cheese melts and become golden. Your fluffy pizza is ready.
• Remove from oven and transfer the pizza slowly on a wire rack. Cut into wedges and serve it hot with tomato sauce.

For the thin crust pizza:

• Dust a pizza pan with some cornmeal or semolina. (I have used a perforated pizza pan). This ensures a crispier crust.

• Roll around 150 gm of the dough and place it on the pan and repeat the above procedure.