Spinach Pizza
I remember those days in India.. Amma used to make Pizzas at home.. We loved eating Pizzas the Indian way. Amma used to add chilli powder and saute the veggies, add it on the base and top it with tom-chi ketchup! Such a yummy pizza no pizza joint can offer. It was one of my fav tiffin those days.!
Slowly our idea of making Pizza changed..We started enjoying pizzas at different Pizza joints in India...
Who does not love Pizzas!! I am a big pizza fan.. Infact, I feel guilty if I don't eat a pizza once in 15 days! (sometimes once a week)... My favourite is Papa Johns! Monday 5.99 $ single topping pizza deal is the most satisfying pizza!! I also like Crespo Pizza in Houston.. Here is our new Pizza recipe- from the scratch.
Initially when I came to the US, I would wonder how ppl could eat single topping pizza. I found it sooo strange. According to me, a pizza must be loaded with veggies. However, of late I just prefer a single topping pizza with just jalapenos! The magic of America!...The other pizza I like is spinach pizza.
The Dough (pizza base) Recipe
This recipe is from Dave Latimer and Sriram (my uncle)
Ingredients:3 cups all purpose flour (maida)
3 tbsp olive oil (can be substituted with any refined oil)
1 cup water
4 tsp active dry yeast
2 tbsp sugar
salt- just sprinkle (about a tsp is enough)
[Too much salt kills all the flavour. Do not add salt to taste. Just sprinkle to bring out the flavours]
Microwave 1 cup water for just 20- 30 seconds till warm. Mix yeast, sugar and warm water. Allow it to sit till it froths up.
Mix flour, salt and oil dry. Add the yeast water and continue to mix well thoroughly. Make a firm dough. Sprinkle some more oil in your hands and smear it around the dough.
Close with a wet kitchen towel. Allow it to rest for about 6 hours. Punch the dough as it increases in volume for every 2 hours. It is actually enough if you allow it to sit for 2 hours. However, the texture improves if the dough sits for long.
Divide the dough into two equal halves. Roll out the dough with a rolling
pin first. Bring it to the size of a chappati/ tortilla. Then hand toss the dough by slapping between the two hands till the pizza is b/w 10 -12'.
Pizza Sauce
Alfredo sauce is the best option for Spinach Pizza. However, since I didn't have it at home, I used the regular pizza sauce.
Any store bought pizza sauce is good enough. Since I make Italian only once in 2 weeks, I prefer to buy the sauce. If you cook Italian food regularly, you could make your pizza sauce. This is the recipe for the tomato pizza sauce.
Ingredients:
8-10 Roma Tomatoes
1/8 tsp dried basil
1/8 tsp dried oregano
1/8 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp freshly cracked pepper
Boil tomatoes in water till the skin cracks. Peel off the skin. Keep aside
Add the peeled tomatoes and all the other ingredients to a pan and bring to boil.
Add water to bring to desired sauce consistency.
For the Spinach Pizza
Makes 2 pizzas of 10-12'
1 cup frozen chopped spinach, 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
2 cups shredded pizza cheese blend (or) mozzarella cheese
1 cup pizza sauce
Pizza base rolled out
Saute spinach with 2 tsp oil and 1/2 cup water in an open pan. Saute till spinach is well cooked and dry. At this stage, you can sprinkle 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional).
Divide the dough into 2 parts and roll out 2 pizzas as described above.
Add a layer of sauce (you can use either Alfredo or the regular sauce) on top of the base.
Add a thin layer of spinach
Add shredded cheese
Bake at 450F for 10 min or till cheese just starts to brown.
Divide into 4 parts and serve hot!
Some useful tips:
Be very careful with the amount of salt you add. Im so used to South Indian cooking, I have the habit to adding salt liberally. Just sprinkle when you make pizza base. Do not add salt to spinach.
The pizza base texture improves on resting. Punch the dough once in 2 hours for best results.
For any other veggie pizza, just change the spinach topping to the veggies of yr choice. Follow the same recipe.
11 comments:
wow...awesome recipe...i love pizzas to but tis is something i never heard...this post totally rocks!!!
Thnx rads!
awesome pizzza.. mouthwatering.
Nice puffy pizza with a delicious and a healthy topping...
Thnx mahimaa, ramya!
the pizza looks soooo yummy.. must try it sometime. looks sooo delicious and fluffy. looks like sbarro's spinach pizza
thnx aarthu!
Kittymatti
Great Job. Looks VERY appetizing!!!!
Very well done!
thnx siyammeee and anonymous!
perfect pizza it is.........you have a nice blog dear.......
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