2010-10-294
Ingredients:
For the Dough
  • 1.5 cups plain flour (maida)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 2 tsp active dry yeast
For the toppings
I have used the classic ‘pineapple and green chili’ combination. The other pizza I tried was with paneer ( cottage cheese) , cherry tamatoes , corn, capsicum and coriander.
For pizza sauce
  • 4 medium sized tomatoes, blanched and pureed
  • 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
  • 3 to 4 pods garlic, crushed
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • salt to taste
  • pinch of sugar
1-1.5 cup grated Mozzarella cheese
Method:
For the pizza base
  • Take warm water in a bowl , add yeast , salt and sugar.
  • Mix well and keep it aside for 10 mins ( till it becomes frothy).
  • Sift plain flour in a large bowl, add oil and slowly add the yeast mixture.
  • Incorporate the flour slowly and knead the dough, add little water if required .the dough should be smooth and elastic.
  • Rub oil on all sides of dough and keep it covered in a warm place. Let the dough rest for 1 hour.
  • After 1 hour punch the dough and keep it aside again for 15 mins.
  • Now the dough is ready.
Follow any of these 2 methods to create your pizza base:
 
Rolling Pin Method
  • Roll the ball size portion of a dough and place it on a lightly floured surface.
  • Roll a thin disk of 6 inch diameter.
  • Prick the base with fork.
  • Pizza base is ready.
Hand rolling method
  • Place the dough on an oiled baking tray.
  • Gently pull the base towards the edge with your palm and fingertips.
  • Continue doing this till the base is sufficiently thin.
  • Prick the base with a fork.
  • Pizza base is ready.
For the sauce
  • Heat oil, add crushed garlic, tomato puree, ketchup, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper and sugar.
  • Cook for 3-4 minutes on medium heat or till oil separates.
  • Remove from heat and keep aside.
  • Pizza sauce is ready.
Assemble your Pizza
  • You should have 2 pizza bases.
  • Spread the pizza sauce on each pizza base, leaving the edges.
  • Put pineapple and green chilli on one of the pizza bases and cottage cheese, cherry tamatoes , corn, capsicum and coriander on the other one.
  • Sprinkle cheese on top.
  • Preheat the oven at 200C.
  • Grease a baking dish and place the pizza. Bake it at 200 C for 10-12 minutes or till the base gets crisp and the cheese melts.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve hot!
Tip:
You can add any combination of toppings you like.
Make sure your yeast mixture is frothy before adding.
Experiment with the shape of the pizza. Kids may especially enjoy different shapes.
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Shuchi Vaishnav Gandhi is a jewellery designer, lover of crafts and a big foodie. She lives in Bangalore with her husband and drew early culinary inspiration from her father, who was a great cook and always got the best out of her.  She loves to cook different cuisines and startedhttp://www.spicytangy.com in 2008 to overwhelming response. You can also mail her at shuchi@spicytangy.com