Home made Pizza - Vegetarian

Pizza is a favorite dish amongst kids and hubbies:) We middle aged mommies try to avoid it as 7 seconds in the mouth lasts for 7 years in hip.. right?

I decided to test the Oven side of our Microwave-oven to see if I can make baked items. My husband proudly presented to me the menu option within the Microwave-oven that had three Pizza options. Since he did all the research and got THE multifunctional oven to help me in my cooking, he wanted me to thank his forethought. All I said is that let me see how it pans out to consider thanking you..

Well, the pizza did come out very well.. so hubby, here is my tribute to you (3 idiots dialogue):
 "JAHAPANA TUSSI gr8 HO TAUFA KABOOL KARO!!"

Vegetarian Pizza

Pizza Dough (Courtesy: The little big vegetarian book - Page 952 and 954)

Ingredients
 25g fresh yeast (2 packets of active dry yeast)
150 ml warm water
3 cups all purpose flour (I used whole grain wheat flour - the one I use for Chapathis/Rotis with husk)
1/2 tsp salt

Place the yeast in a small bowl and add half of the warm water, keep it soaked for 15 min. It becomes creamy white white ready. Stir well. Place the flour in large bowl and sprinkle salt. Make a hollow in middle and add the warm water+yeast mix, remaining water and knead it well into a ball as below. It is very similar to how we knead it for Chapatis, except needs a little more work.

Kneading: Sprinkle the work surface with flour aand place the dough on the work surface. Curl your fingers around it and press together to form a ball. Press with knuckles to spread it a little. Take the far end of the dough, fold it a short distance towards you, then push it away again with the heel of your palm Flexing your wrist, fold it toward you aain, give it a quater turn, then push it away. Repeat for 8-10 min. When the dough doesn't stick in your hands, bang it down hard against the work surace a couple of times. this will develop the gluten. The dough should be smooth and elastic., show definite air bubbles beneath the surface and spring back if you flatten it with your palm. Place it in large oily bowl and cover with a cloth. Set aside to rise for 2 hours.

Pizza Sauce
Ingredients
Garlic - 4-5 cloves
6 tbsp extra virgin oil
2 tbsp finely chopped oregano (can use powder)
1 tbsp marjoram and 1 tbsp basil (can use powder)
2 tbsp Italian herb mix (instead of oregano marjoram and basil option above)
1 kg tomatoes (peeled and chopped)
60 g sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
salt and fresh ground pepper
2 red or green chilli (Optional to spice it up)

Saute the garlic in oil over low heat until gold. Add the spices, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Partially cover and simmer for 30-45 min until tomatoes are fully cooked. Squash the sauce and let it thicken. Can apply it for pizza, pasta and many other Italian dishes.

Making the Pizza
Ingredients
Pizza dough
Pizza sauce
Mozarella cheese/any other grated cheese (cheddar, mexican blend)
Vegetables - sliced long or fine - Onions, peppers (green, yellow, red), mushroom, olives, pineapple, paneer, green chilli (these are varieties I have seen in the Indian Pizza Hut - Paneer+Green chilli)

To shape the pizza, place the dough in a pizza pan (you can use heavy porcelain plate), and use your fingertips to press it out, stretching it as you go, until it covers the pan/plate. Set aside for 10 min before adding the topping. This will give time for dough to regain its volume and makes the crust lighter and more appetizing.

Spread the Pizza sauce evenly on the dough. You could use the recipe above or use market available sauces (I used Maggi Pizza sauce). Evenly spread the grated cheese on top of sauce. Spread the vegetables. You can lightly sprinkle the grated cheese on top to give a grilled look.

Bake in preheated oven (350-400F) for 25-30 min (dependent on the ovens). I opted for Thick crust option in my micro-oven and it baked it for 17 min (no preheat).I just checked to see if the dough is cooked and it was done well.

The pizza was truly delicious. I made 3-4 and all were gone. My kids loved it. You can add ketchup and mix it with pizza sauce for the kids (they loved the sweetness from the ketchup). The whole wheat flour did taste odd (healthy:)) compared to Pizza hut crusts (restaurant makes it with all purpose (refined) flour). The kids did not pick the difference for they tasted the cheese. You could also make heart healthy or low carb varieties with less dough (thin layer) and less cheese/more vegetables.


Bon Appetit!