step by step italian veg pizza recipe 3

this is a step by step vegetable pizza recipe

i have divided the format into 3 parts viz:
1: making the pizza bread,2: making the pizza sauce and3: assembling the pizza.

by the way the veg pizza recipe is a request from one of my facebook page fans. have adapted the recipe from the bread bible cookbook.

lets begin homemade italian vegetable pizza recipe from scratch.

making the vegetarian pizza base:

1: dissolve the sugar in warm water and add yeast to it.

2: stir the whole mixture and keep it aside for 10-15 minutes.

3: when the yeast is getting doubled up, take a cup of flour with salt in a bowl. mix well. add olive oil.

4: after 10-15 minutes the yeast will bubble and you will see a good frothy layer on top.

5: now add the frothy yeast mixture to the flour. with a whisk or wooden spoon stir the mixture.

6: add another cup of flour and keep on stirring.

7: the mixture will become sticky.

8: add the last cup of flour and continue to stir.

9: the dough will leave the sides of the bowl but still will be a bit sticky.

10: its time now to knead the dough with the hand. knead the dough to a smooth dough. dust with flour to prevent sticking. the dough will be soft and elastic. apply some olive oil to the dough all around.

11: keep the dough in deep large bowl and cover loosely with a kitchen napkin or towel for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

12: mama mia….. after 2 hours the dough has beautifully risen and doubled up to what you see below.

13: i had planned to make the pizza the next day, so i wrapped the dough tightly in acling film and kept in the fridge. if you plan to make the pizza right away then flatten the dough to a disk. then start rolling the dough.

14: the next morning i removed the pizza dough from the fridge and if you compare the two pics, the dough was getting leavened even in the fridge.

15: defrosted at room tempeature for about 45 minutes before i started making the pizza.

making the tomato pizza sauce:

1: chop the tomatoes directly. or blanch them and then chop the tomatoes. i chose the second method as then less cooking is involved when making the sauce. instead of chopping you can also puree the tomatoes.

2: in a pan heat olive oil and add chopped garlic to it. fry the garlic for a minute.

3: now add the chopped tomatoes. stir and let the tomatoes cook for 5 minutes more.

4: when the tomatoes are getting simmered, slice the onion, capsicum and olives.

5: instead of sauting the veggies lightly i marinated them for 15 minutes with olive oil, basil and oregano.

6: the tomatoes are softened now. add the herbs, salt, crushed black pepper.

7: mix well and cook for a few more minutes.

8. aha….. the pizza sauce is ready.

assembling the vegetarian pizza:

1: preheat the oven to 200 degress C. grease the baking pan with olive oil & then dust it with maize flour/corn meal, semolina or flour.

2: take a large ball from the dough. i made three medium sized pizzas from this dough. you can use the whole dough to make an extra large pizza or even make two large pizzas.

3: flatten the dough into a disk. now on a floured surface with a rolling pin roll the dough ball into a large round or oval shape of about 1/4 inch thickness. roll the dough from the center towards the outer edges. you may have to dust the surface with flour. the dough is extremely elastic. so be careful while rolling the dough.

4: place the pizza base in the baking pan. be careful as the dough has so much elasticity, it just stretches more when you place it. do this work of placing very gently. brush the surface with olive oil.

5: spread the tomato pizza sauce on the pizza.

6: top up with the veggies and olives.

7: sprinkle generous amount of mozarella or pizza cheese.

8: baking time now….. bake the veg pizza in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 200 degrees C till the base becomes golden brown and the cheese on top melts and gets browned.

9: pizza time…. yay… the pizza is ready and out of the oven.

10: serve the vegetarian pizza immediately with tomato sauce and the herbs.

if you are looking for similar recipes then do check paneer tikka pizza, basic tomato pizza sauce and creamy mushroom pasta.

vegetable pizza recipe below:

 

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Prep time

2 hours 20 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

2 hours 40 mins

 

Ingredients (american measuring cup used, 1 cup = 250 ml)

for the pizza bread base:

• 2.5 to 3 cups all purpose flour/maida
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoon dry yeast
• ¼ tsp sugar or ¼ tsp honey
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• olive oil for brushing
• flour, cornmeal or semolina for sprinkling

for the tomato sauce:

• 4-5 tomatoes
• 2-3 garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine (optional)
• 2 tsp dried basil or 2 tbsp fresh basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano or 1 tbsp dried oregano
• freshly crushed or ground black pepper
• salt

toppings for 2 medium sized pizzas:

• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 capsicum/bell pepper, sliced
• 1 tomato (optional)
• 8-9 pitted green olives, sliced
• 8-9 pitted black olives, sliced
• grated mozarella cheese as required
• fresh or dried herbs

Instructions

making the pizza bread:

1. sprinkle sugar in warm water.
2. add yeast. stir and let the mixture sit at room temperature for 10-15 mins till it becomes frothy,
3. in a bowl add one cup flour, salt, olive oil and the frothy yeast mixture.
4. stir. add another cup of flour.
5. stir again. the mixture become sticky.
6. add the last cup of flour and continue to stir.
7. knead the dough into a smooth, springy ball.
8. apply some olive oil all over the dough.
9. cover loosely and keep in a large bowl at room temperature for 1.5 to 2 hours.
10. the dough will double up and nicely leaven.

making the tomato basil pizza sauce:

1. blanch the tomatoes and the chop them.
2. heat oil. fry the chopped garlic,
3. add the tomatoes and wine.
4. let them cook uncovered for 4-5 minutes.
5. add the herbs, salt and pepper.
6. mix well. cook further for 3-4 minutes.

assembling the veg pizza

1. flatten the dough to a disk.
2. on a floured surface roll the dough.
3. place the dough onto a greased and dusted pan.
4. brush some olive oil on the pizza base.
5. spread the tomato sauce on the pizza.
6. top with the veggies.
7. spread the grated cheese.
8. bake the veg pizza in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes at 200 degrees C.
9. serve veg pizza hot.

Notes

few tips for veg pizza recipe:
1. the pizza dough can also be made in a food processor or electric mixer.
2. if the dough becomes sticky add some flour and vice versa. if the dough is not soft and a bit dry, then add some warm water.
3. i even made a thin crust pizza with this dough and it was excellent.
4. you can saute the veggies lightly in olive oil if you want.
5. the leftover pizza sauce can be refrigerated.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 4-5