Proof yeast :
Add one tablespoon of yeast to 1/4 cup water and 1 tsp sugar, mix lightly and wait. If the yeast froths, it can be used.
Preparing dough :
Take 1 cup maida, 1 cup whole wheat flour, salt to taste. Add the frothy yeast and knead the dough. Knead for about 5 mins. In a big bowl ( twice the size of the dough) add some olive oil and spread inside the bowl- tuck your pizza dough and keep in the bowl and cover with a clean tea towel. Leave it for raising for 2-3 hours. Once the dough has risen ( doubled in size) punch the dough and knead it again.
Making the pizza :
Flour the surface on which you are making the pizza, traditionally corn meal is used but I used rava/ semolina as it has similar texture and is healthy. Spread about a spoon or two of rava in a big plate. Divide the dough into two parts. Take one part, keep on the floured plate and keep flattening the edges and turning around till it starts to flatten and stretch like a pizza. Do not stretch it too much. Once you think it is enough, rest for five minutes more. Then spoon your tomato sauce as the base ( it can be prepared at home or store brought, I used store brought veggie tomato pizza sauce) spread the sauce all around the pizza, add grated cheese all over, then top with whatever you like. I topped it with pepperoni, onions, spinach roughly chopped. You can sprinkle Italian seasoning over the pizza.
Bake your pizza :
Pre heat your oven at 450 degree F , once the oven is really hot- transfer the pizza on the baking tray and bake for 10-15 minutes. Since the temperature is high and it’s thin crust keep an eye on the pizza- do not keep opening the oven door to check. Once the edges look slightly golden brown, take it out and rest for a minute or two and then serve.
Hope you enjoy it. Sounds a bit tedious, but worth making from scratch. Also you can make two pizzas from this measure, but if you like you can wrap half the pizza dough in a cling wrap and freeze it.
~ Ashwini
Home Food Guide 