Veggie Pizza

Can't tell you how excited I was. My house smelled like Pizza Hut. Yes, that's true, and that had never happened before!! Yes, Pizza has always been my favorite 'junk' food (as they say in India). After moving to the US, I was shocked to see super huge Pizza slices. Had never seen that before! In fact, I was overwhelmed with so many cheesy pizzas around me. The aroma of fresh baking dough and melting, ooey, gooey cheese is surely out of this world! Store bought pizzas are delicious, but the amount of guilt associated after having just one slice is immense. It was time to create a healthy dough to curb pizza craving. 

Without talking much, you should check out the pictures below, and bake this pizza soon. I am not going to stop here. I am soon going on a pizza baking spree!!

My trip to Whole Foods Market for fresh ingredients.

 After I collected all my ingredients, it was time to make a fresh dough using wholewheat flour that we use to make regular flat bread or roti.

Just like any bread recipe needs yeast and sugar, this recipe too needs yeast. Substituting honey for sugar. Do not worry about the type of yeast.

I sachet (2 1/4 tsp) yeast and 1 1/2 tbsp. honey

Microwave 3/4 cup water for 30 seconds and mix 1 1/2 tbsp. honey. Add yeast and mix well. Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes till you see few bubbles. You do not have to let it rest to turn frothy.

Add 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 1 tsp. salt, and mix well with a wooden spoon till the dough comes together.

Transfer on a dusted surface and knead the dough well for 5 minutes.

Grease the bowl well and keep soft, smooth dough in the bowl to rise.

 Apply some oil on the dough too, to prevent it from drying.

Set the dough aside for an hour.

Pizza Sauce: To make two 10 Inch Pizzas

Blanch 4 medium tomatoes

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil. add 1/2 cup chopped onions and 3-4 cloves garlic. Saute till they turn soft. Add blanched and pureed tomatoes. Cook for 5-7 minutes.

Grind to form a puree. Transfer puree into sauce pan. Add salt, 1 tsp sugar, red chilli powder, pepper, Italian spice mix or Dry herbs of your choice. You could also use fresh herbs of your choice.

Simmer till the sauce thickens.

The color of the sauce does depend on the type of tomatoes. Mine was surely not bright red. But who cares, it was fresh, made from scratch not store bought with preservatives and tasted just delicious.

Let the sauce completely cool down before using it.

Sliced toppings for my pizza. 

Be creative: you could add in more depending on what your family likes.

Shu helping me grate fresh Mozzarella. You could use grated one too, but it is fun for the family to be involved in the dinner making process.

Time to roll Pizza

 Use some dry whole wheat flour and some semolina flour mixed together to roll the dough.

Semolina, being coarser in texture helps to keep the dough above the surface. Just imagine yourself walking on the floor full of marbles. Just like that dough becomes easier to roll with textured surface underneath it. It makes the dough crispier too!!

Gently turn the bowl and remove the dough. Place the dough in the dry flour mixture and then on a dusted surface.

Gently press the dough, and spread it to form a 9-10 inch circle. You could also use a rolling pin to roll the dough. You could also make a square pizza :)

Use a big metal pan or pizza stone to bake pizza. 

I like to use pizza stone for even baking and great crust.

Place pizza stone in the oven and preheat at 450 F temperature for 20 minutes.

Use a metal tray or wooden Pizza Paddle to assemble pizza and transfer the dough in the oven.

See to it that the bottom is well dusted.

Put a spoonful of sauce on the dough and spread it evenly.

Spread grated cheese on the pizza. Use various toppings on the pizza.

All set to go into the oven!!

Slide gently on hot Pizza stone.

Bake for 15 minutes till it the cheese melts and the top turns golden.

OMG this was amazing!! Gently remove the entire stone using gloves. Pizza stone will prevent the dough from getting soggy and wet. 

If using a metal pan to bake Pizza, remove on a rack to prevent moisture under the dough.

Let the pizza rest for 3-4 minutes. Cut into pieces and don't wait to enjoy :)

 We enjoyed while watching iffa 2014 awards.

 How about a Pizza Party soon??

You are all invited!!