How to make Italian Pizza Recipe | Veg Pizza Recipe

We all know that pizza is an Italian recipe; in fact, pizza is THE noun that unanimously comes to mind, related to Italy. However, I am emphasizing on the “Italian” in my pizza recipe today, because I have realized that I am being surrounded by a highly globalised culinary world, and am still under the influence of an Indian pizza that I had last night.

you may also like: pizza paratha, Left-over roti pizza, veg pizza on tawa, cheese corn pizza paratha, Bread pizza , Etc.

The pizza I had last night, had this topping of spicy sabzi made of chole (chickpeas) and soybean. There were no other crunchy veggies, no oregano or olive oil, and most importantly, no cheese. I had it a local café. It was a good vegan idea, but I somehow I did not quite like it. I have great respect for the vegan cuisine but am comfortable as a vegetarian, and use free range milk products and cheese at large. I am well aware and understand the vegan logic over free range. But this is the least I am doing for the while.

Anyways, my children are crazy about pizza. It’s the most frequented restaurant food at my house. And thanks to the free spices, I have never really bought these separately. I make the pizza sauce at home too. You can check out the recipe in this same blog.

This is also to differentiate with my other pizza recipes, like, Roti Pizza, Bread Pizza and Corn Pizza paratha. This recipe denotes the authentic Italian taste.

I always wanted to master the art of pizza making, what I have realized that the biggest challenge is the base. If you can make uttapam, you can do this. Just take care that the base doesn’t have bumpy uneven areas. After rolling it, use your hands to even out the slight bumpiness. You need not make the base more than ½ inches; otherwise the insides might stay uncooked, and sticky.

Another most significant feature about pizza is cheese. I am using some organic mozzarella cheese here, for a medium pizza you will need about 200-250gms. The cheese is really your own choice, and of course, budget. If you want to go for gourmet, organic cheese, you are looking at a hefty price, if you are looking at the regular processed pizza cheese, then the price should suffice within Rs. 300.

Lastly, use your favorite veggies and toppings; my recipe is concentrated on the process of making the perfect base. Another thing I would like to add, that the oven combinations I have mentioned is ideal for a ½ inch thick base. If you like, you can dip a knife inside the bread to see if there’s any stickiness in the core. If so then re-heat, for a couple of minutes.

How to make Italian Pizza:

• Take ½ cup lukewarm water in a deep bowl (water should neither be cold nor hot) and dissolve sugar into it. Once the sugar gets dissolve sprinkle active dry yeast in warm water and stir until it gets dissolve.

• Now keep it to rest the yeast warm water mixture aside for 15 -20 minutes or till it becomes frothy.

• After 15 minutes put all purpose flour in another bowl, now pour the yeast warm water mix and knead the dough. Add water as needed to knead the dough. Dough should be little sticky but soft after kneading.

• Now pour 1 tsp of olive oil and knead the dough again until it becomes smooth and elastic.

• Apply some olive oil all over the dough, cover or wrap the bowl with plate or plastic and leave it aside to rise at room temperature for an hour or until it doubles in size. If it’s summer season then you can keep at room temperature but in winter season keep it in a warm place( If in case you don’t have warm place then heat the oven and let make the oven warm and then place the bowl of dough in warmed oven).
• Now uncover the dough after an hour and you will see the dough gets double so punch the dough down to get rid of any bubbles and knead it again for few seconds.

• Now divide the dough into 2 or 3 equal parts. Take one part of the dough and roll it in your palms like ball.
• Dust the rolling surface with dry flour and dust the balls with the dry flour and start rolling the balls with roller into ½ inch thickness as it will puff up little bit when it’s baked.

• You can also use your fingertips to stretch the dough and make it flat.

• Now transfer the rolled dough onto a dusted baking tray.

• Spread pizza sauces on the pizza. I have used homemade pizza sauce but it’s also available in the market.

• Sprinkle some pizza seasoning and black pepper.

• Now spread grated mozzarella cheese and place all your chopped veggies as per your liking.

• Lastly pour some olive oil and sprinkle little salt on top and bake pizza one at a time in pre-heated oven on 220 degreeC for 15 minutes or until the base gets browned and cheese melted.

• Once it baked remove your pizzas from the oven and for a real Italian touch, garnish with some pizza seasoning and to make it spicy sprinkle some chilly flakes .

• Cut pizza into slices and serve hot.