Whole Wheat flour Pizza

I heard the word “Pizza” only at the end of my teen and tasted only at 22, if I am not wrong. 

According to me, Pizza is nothing but adding load of cheese on bread and veggies or meat or even both. By the way, What is Indian Pizza ?  (Answer at the end of this post)

I was told by an Italian friend that, the original origin of Pizza was not known; however, the modern Pizza (the one the “Hut, Papa and Dom’s” selling and the one I’m going to bake) is invented & Popularized by Italians. If anyone knows more stories about Pizza, welcome to share.

It’s my Son’s favorite, I am sure not only mine. But, my husband always worried about the ingredients (Pizza  Base is of processed Carbs.) in it. I could convince both Son and Father by making this “Healthy” version of Pizza. –  A Win – Win situation !!. 

Okay……..Lets move in to Kitchen.  It may take about 60 min.

Make sure you have all the following Ingredients are available for the Pizza base. 

All-purpose flour -1 cup ; Whole Wheat flour - 1 to 1 ½ cup ; Water - 1 ½ cup ; Sugar - ½ tsp.; Salt- 1 ½ tsp. ; Yeast- 1 ½ tsp. ; Egg- 1 (option) ; Olive oil -1 tbsp.  ;  Pizza sauce –1/4 cup

Following Ingredients are required for Topping. 

Onion, sliced 1 medium ; paneer (Indian Cheese) crushed- ¼ cup ; Tomatoes cut into thick strips 1medium ; Green capsicum cut into thick strips 1 medium ; Low fat Mozzarella cheese, grated - ¾ cup ; Olive oil 1 teaspoon ; Dry oregano 1/4 teaspoon ; Chili flakes -1 tsp. 

Of course, first let’s start with Pizza base…..Mix yeast and sugar with Luke warm water and set aside until it become frothy.  Thanks to the process fermentation (process that converts sugar to acids, gases)

Add salt, olive oil, egg, whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour to the yeast mixture and kneads into soft dough.

Leave the dough covered with a damp cloth in a warm place until dough is about double in volume.  It may take about forty five minutes, depends on the atmosphere temperature. Our friends yeast and bacteria, acts much faster in tropical conditions (around 100°F or 38°C).

Divide the (pizza) dough into two equal half, roll out each portion into medium thick discs. Prick with a fork all over. (If you don’t prick, Pizza base raises like a bun while you bake. Resulting, the toppings to fall)

Preheat oven to 220°C... …….Meanwhile, let’s do the topping.

Spread prepared pizza sauce on rolled pizza base, top it with sliced Onion, Paneer, Tomato, Sliced Olives and Capsicum strips. Finally sprinkle grated low-fat mozzarella cheese to evenly cover the pizza top. 

Sprinkle chili flakes on top with olive oil. Place it on greased ovenproof tray and bake in the preheated oven at 220°C until the pizza base is crisp and the cheese melts and starts bubbling.  (May take about twenty minutes) Remove from oven, sprinkle with dried Oregano and serve hot with preferred sauce.

Specially, in the cold weather and rainy evenings, Pizza will be my ultimate choice. 

For meat lovers, can add thin sliced Grill chicken, Smocked Sausage, Tuna Chunks, Boiled minced meat.

Hope, this post helps to make healthy pizza. Do let me know if you like it. 

Answer to the Quiz :  Uttappam.  It’s pretty close to pizza. Thick base with veggies (without cheese) topping !  Did you ever tried Uttappam with the above (Pizza) topping ? If not, it’s worth trying.