When my siblings and I were growing up in the mid eighties to early nineties-there wasn’t a place that served pizza within a 100 km radius (or greater). It was a novelty wondering what Pizza tasted like since it seemed so popular on American TV Shows. This inspired the creation of Amma’s Homemade Pizza recipe. Back then finding a recipe was not as easy as surfing the net-one had to rely on the word of mouth and off course local Newspapers – like The Post which provided readers with culinary inspiration.
Amma’s original homemade pizza recipe had a base made with baking powder rather than yeast. The result was a soft textured base. Amma also often added herbs to the base; chopped coriander complimented her Curry Pizza sauce very well.
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| © 2011 l www.foodlikeammausedtomakeit.blogspot.com |
Amma’s Pizza sauce, like her Curry Pasta had a chutney like base. Meat Toppings included sausages and her favourite vegetarian pizza topping was usually Fried Brinjal topped with cheese.
How To Make Homemade Pizza
This recipe is an adaptation of Amma’s original Pizza base using yeast instead of baking powder, the result is a light, thin crust pizza. This homemade pizza recipe still retains Amma’s Curry Pizza Sauce. This recipe is made up of three parts:
1. The Thin Crust Pizza Dough
2. The Curry Pizza Sauce
3. A Few Ideas For Veg Pizza Toppings
How to Make Thin Crust Pizza
Before you begin making the Pizza dough- preheat the oven at least 20 minutes before you intend baking. The reason for this is that Pizza cooks best in a hot oven and by preheating the oven-you will reduce the cooking time of the pizza. Since this is a thin crust pizza is doesn’t require any resting time so it’s a quick and easy recipe which can be used even on weekdays- after work to make fresh homemade pizza. They can also be stored in the freezer if you make this on the weekend. This recipe yields 2 medium sized pizzas.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups strong Flour ( i.e Bread Flour, Plain /All Purpose Flour)
- ½ cup strong flour for dusting the work surface
- 1 tablespoon dry yeast
- Half cup lukewarm water
- Salt
Method
1. Mix the dry yeast into the lukewarm water then allow to rest while you sift the flour.
Note: When using dry yeast you don’t have to dilute the yeast into water but I have found that this works best with the brand of yeast that I generally use. If you have a particular brand of dry yeast that you use and you know that it works well- then you don’t need to dilute it in water-in this instance add the dry yeast with the flour then add the water.
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| © 2011 l www.foodlikeammausedtomakeit.blogspot.com |
2. Sift the flour to avoid lumps in the dough. Add salt.
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| © 2011 l www.foodlikeammausedtomakeit.blogspot.com |
3. Make a well in the flour to allow the yeast mixture to seep through the flour.
4. Add the yeast liquid into the flour. Mix
5. Add flour on top your worktop then place the dough onto the work top rolling until soft pliable dough is formed.
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| © 2011 l www.foodlikeammausedtomakeit.blogspot.com |
6. Split the dough into two equal sizes.
7. Place the dough on parchment/baking paper then press flat with your hand. The dough will be a little sticky so be sure to roll it on parchment/baking paper to avoid it sticking to the surface.
9. Shape the dough to form a ball then press the dough until you have formed a flat circle shape.
You don’t need a rolling pin unless you want a perfectly rolled pizza. I prefer rustic pizzas so have used my hands to mould the form.
10. Leave the dough aside then prepare the Curry Pizza Sauce.
How to Make Curry Pizza Sauce
This Pizza Sauce is similar to the sauce used in the Curry Pasta Recipe, a few exceptions is that I have used red chilli and finely chopped spring onion instead of red onion. Reason for this is that the Curry Pizza sauce should have a thick uniform consistency so that it can be spread onto the pizza without dripping off. If you use green chilli and onions then be sure to chop them finely.
I have also used a can of tomato paste since the tomatoes I have were not as ripe as they should be. You can do without it but the addition of tomato paste also gives the sauce its rich thick texture. This recipe is sufficient for two medium sized pizzas.
Ingredients
- 4 medium sized tomatoes or 1 can tomato purée
- ¼ cups chopped spring onions
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 chopped chilli or dried chilli flakes
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ½ garam masala powder
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Salt
- 1 can tomato paste
Method
1. Begin by soaking the tomatoes in hot water. This helps remove the skin of the tomatoes easily.
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| © 2011 l www.foodlikeammausedtomakeit.blogspot.com |
2. Remove the seeds then grate the tomatoes to form a purée.
3. Fry the onions in oil until slightly brown. Add crushed garlic. Add chilli.
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| © 2011 l www.foodlikeammausedtomakeit.blogspot.com |
4. Add curry powder and garam masala. Braise for 2-3 minutes then add the tomato purée.
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| © 2011 l www.foodlikeammausedtomakeit.blogspot.com |
5.If you are using tomaote paste then add half a cup of water then add the tomato paste. Stir until a thick sauce is formed. If not then allow the sauce to cook until the liquid has evaporated forming a thick sauce.
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| © 2011 l www.foodlikeammausedtomakeit.blogspot.com |
6. Apply the pizza sauce onto the pizza dough then top with your favourite toppings –except the cheese. Place pizza in the preheated oven. Bake for 5-7 minutes then rotate the pizza. Add the cheese then bake until the cheese has melted.
N.B this cooking time works only if you have preheated the oven at least 20-30 minutes prior to baking the pizza.
7. Slice. Serve Warm.
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| © 2011 l www.foodlikeammausedtomakeit.blogspot.com |
Veg Pizza Ideas
With one more week of fasting to go there are still endless possibilities of Vegetarian meals. If you are a fan of pizza then try one of these Vegetarian Pizza Ideas.
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| © 2011 l www.foodlikeammausedtomakeit.blogspot.com |
Mushroom and Rocket
One of my favourite Veg pizza toppings is mushroom and rocket. Slice mushrooms then toss in a heated pan for 5-10 minutes. Add to pizza. Bake as instructed above. Once out of the oven top with rocket.
Paneer and Peas
Fry the peas in a pan with a teaspoon of oil, use garlic and chopped coriander. Add to the pizza base, cook as instructed in the Pizzas Dough Recipe. Remove from oven then top with grilled Paneer.
Fried Binjal
This was one of Amma’s signature pizzas. Simply toast the brinjal as per the Fired Brinjal Recipe. Place onto the pizza then top with cheese.
Spinach and Cheese Calzone
This topping works best for Calzone. For this recipe-make the pizza dough as instructed above. Add creamed spinach and cheese onto the center of the pizza then fold the dough in half to form a calzone. Press the edges to seal. (this is similar to making a poli). Bake for 10 minutes until slightly brown.
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| © 2011 l www.foodlikeammausedtomakeit.blogspot.com |