Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Veg Pizza

It was during my college days in Mangalore that I first tasted Pizza in my life! Those were the days before Pizza hut opened up their chains in all the major cities of India.  Since then, I have had Pizza from many places around the world and always thought making Pizza is the toughest thing in the world :-)  I dared to make them myself only after coming to US.  Today I would like to share the recipe of a simple Pizza that is loved by my family and friends.  And remember, if you have the right flour; making Pizza is just a piece of cake :D

Pizza

Ingredients

For the crust:(I have referred to the recipes online and cook books. This is my adaptation from all those and it has been working well for me for the past 2 years)

Bread Flour(I use King arthur)-3+1/2 cup(measure by scooping and leveling)
Active dry Yeast-1 packet
Lukewarm water(should be 100 degree F-body temp)-1 cup [That is the optimum temperature for the yeast to grow :-)]
Milk-1/2 cup (at room temp)

Salt-2Tsp
Sugar-1Tsp
Olive oil-2tbsp

For the topping:

Bell pepper-1
Onion-1/2
Mushroom-1 cup
Broccoli-1 small floret
Tomato-1/2
Parmesan cheese(grated)-1/4 cup
Mozzarella cheese-1 Big slab cut into cubes

Pizza


For the sauce(this is the simple method)

Tomato Puree- 3 Tbsp
Tomato Ktchup-3 Tbsp
Oregano(dried)-2 1/2 tsp
Marjarom (dried)-1 1/2Tsp
Basil(dried)-1 1/2 tsp

You could make fresh tomato sauce by this method:

Garlic paste-1tsp
3 tomatoes- Cut into cubes
3 Tomatoes skinned and pureed (Remove the skin after immersing them in boiled water for a couple of minutes)
Heat a Tbsp olive oil in a pan and saute the garlic paste.Then add the tomato cubes and puree and cook well.(takes about 15-20 minutes).Cool it and add the spices I mentioned in the simple sauce

Pizza

Method:

1.Sift together the flour, salt and sugar in a mixing bowl.
2.Take a few Tbsp of water from the lukewarm water and dissolve the yeast.
3.Pour 2 Tbsp of Olive oil to the sifted flour followed by the dissolved yeast.
4.Knead the dough by adding the rest of the lukewarm water slowly.Knead well and punch down the dough.
5.You should be able to make a fine ball out of the dough when you are done.Not too dry or not too sticky.
6.Pour a tspn of olive oil in the bowl and roll the dough in it and cover the bowl with a plastic wrap/a plate.This will save the dough from getting dried.
7.Keep the dough in a warm place(like a preheated oven-I use a preheated oven at ~70 degree F) for 2 hours.If you have enough patience you could take out the dough after 1 hour, knead it again and keep it back.
8.After 2 hours the dough should be, almost, doubled in size.
9.Knead it again and divide into 2.Preheat the oven at 450 degree F.
10.Take one part and flatten up on a floured surface using a rolling pin/hand to get the thickness you like.(1/2 inch is preferable)
11.Shift this onto a floured pizza pan.(If you are using a Pizza stone preheat that for atleast half an hour and slide the Pizza on to it just before baking)Pour and spread a TBsp of Olive oil on top.
12.To prevent bubbling you can make small dents in the dough.
13.Keep half of the prepared sauce and spread it evenly using a brush.
14.Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over it, followed by the vegetables.
15.Spread the Mozzarella cubes on the top and bake for 12-13 minutes/ when the cheese on the top starts turning golden brown.(after 9-10 minutes you can take out the pizza and sprinkle a few more Mozzarella cheese)
16.Take out and serve warm.
17.Repeat for the other half of the dough.

Pizza

Notes:
1.You could use cooked chicken cubes(after mixing with little bit garam masala and salt and turmeric)instead of mushroom and make it a chicken Pizza ;-)
2.Sauteing the vegetable for the topping is your choice. We prefer it crunchy, so I just cut the veggies thinner and do not saute them.
3.You could use fresh herbs instead of the dried ones.Parsley is also nice herb which will go well.
4.If you add too much topping the Pizza will get soggy.

Contributor: Namitha

49 comments:

  1. WOW......Delicious....Mouthwatering....I luv pizzaaaaaaa.....

    It looks amazing.

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  2. yummmmmmy...it looks awesome and delicious.

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  3. wow what a lovely pizza..such a wonderful looking one...looks yummy

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  4. wow.delicious looking pizza dear.

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  5. PIZZAAAAAAAAA! Lol, I don't know anyone who doesn't like pizza! This looks soooo yummy. Sometimes I don't really have much time to make pizza bases myself so I use readymade garlic naan ;) It comes out really well!

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  6. ohh..beautiful pizza dear..kothi varunnu..great job..

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  7. Namitha... I love homemade pizza and yours is absolutely stunning. Lots of delicious veges and melted cheeeeeeese.... YUM!

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  8. Oooo! So cheesy and lovely the pizzs looks! Surely it's healthy too with a lot of veggies!

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  9. Yummy pizzas....great clicks....

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  10. Thanks for visiting my blog!! This is really yummy!!

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  11. now thats wha i call cheesy pizza..looks superb...

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  12. looks so yummy....completely restaurant style....delicious and tempting!

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  13. This looks so goooooooooood..completely resataurant like..the photos too have come good :)

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  14. the pizza looks absolutely cheesy yummy;

    Homemade crust and homemade tomato sauce with the crunchy vegetables in the melting cheese, that is a perfect pizza!!!

    the recipe for the tomato sauce is remarkable too!

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  15. lovely, colorful, yummy...this looks so tempting..would want to have one right now..

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  16. your pizza makes me drool over.It looks so tempting and inviting with the cheese.I am definitely coming over to taste it.

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  17. Awww, look at that cheese stretching out of the pizza..I want a big bite

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  18. Great pizza!! I loved the way you have given entire procedure. I am definitely tempted to try.

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  19. Love that picture of pizza pulling out...so good!

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  20. Wow just drooling over the last picture..so cheesyyyyyy!!

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  21. Yummy cheesey pizza...not my fav but my son likes it a lot but without any veggies...looks perfect dear....

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  22. Thakarthu!!!! pizza looks tremendous nami...makes me hungry..thuvare njan try cheythittilla…will try it soon ..tnx for sharing :D

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  23. oh wow!!!! girl u r making me drool here..
    Looks heavenly...

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  24. Just look at all that gooey cheese - this pizza is calling my name!

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  25. You guys got me hooked onto ur blog by this PIZZA !!!. Beautiful and yummy. Hats off to you both for making this right from scratch. Also love ur quote " And remember, if you have the right flour; making Pizza is just a piece of cake ". I hope its a piece of cake for me..I've been thinking abt doing this project (of making Pizza rt from scratch for almost 3 yrs now). YOur recipe gives me new hope...well I guess I'm getting a bit carried away now.

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  26. Mouthwatering Pizza. Pics are tempting :):):):)

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  27. Looks cheesy and delicious. I must have put an extra pound or two looking at that last picture :-)

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  28. I normally avoid commenting just yummy or delicious .. but these are the only words I can say by reading and drooling over this post..

    "Too yummy and Greatly delicious looking !!"

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  29. Ooooooooh love the stringy cheese. by the way is there such a thing as vegetarian cheese, my son reacts to cheese, so i have to add like tiny pinch of it any ideas ?

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  30. Oh My Goodness! Your Veggie Pizza looks incredibly delicious! I'm not a big fan of pizza but this one is calling my name, YUM!!!

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  31. Entammoooo ithethendha cheesinte samsdana samelanamooooo...endayalum looks awesome dear.Sooo tempting.

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  32. Yum yum,Tempting pizza,pass that plate to me

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  33. wow!!wonderful job...pizza looks amazing, delicious and colourful

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  34. God I just drooling!! Never dared to make Pizza at home, leave alone thinking abt doing it from scratch..But now I am tempted! Thanks for the detailed instructions!
    Buddy, thanks for ur wishes, my laptop has gotten some life now! ;)

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  35. Hello all, hope everyone are fine:)

    Pizza looks cheesy and delicious. Looks perfect, sure melts in mouth!!!

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  36. Such a delicious pizza, love the veggies and definitely the cheese!

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  37. Thanks everyone..Am glad that I could inspire some of you who haven't tried this yet :D
    @ Peanutts : Horizon organic has veg cheese varieties
    @red chillies : lol...My kids don't take any dairy food; but they love pizza.That's the reason :D

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  38. The pizza looks simply amazing....colorful and gorgeous :)

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  39. This is sooooo cheeeezyyy... I love that stringy cheese when you lift a slice... already drooling :-)

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  42. Wow, what a delicious looking pizza with all those colorful veggies and loaded with cheese! Yum!

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