SuPeR KooK: Rajah Chandrasekhar a.k.a Sathya
Cuisine: Italian
Pizza Base: I used wheat, you can replace with Maida for the familiar texture and taste of pizza base.
- 1 cup wheat/maida (you can also do half and half)
- 1 spoon yeast (optional, can be made without yeast also)
- 1/2 spoon baking soda
- 1/2 spoon sugar
- salt to taste
Add the yeast and water to some lukewarm water and let it sit for about 20 minutes. The mixture should double in quantity if the yeast is active. Mix the baking soda and wheat/maida well. Add some salt (not too much as it can kill the yeast) to the flour mixture. After the yeast has been sitting for 20 minutes knead the mixture with the yeast solution. If required, add some more water. The dough has to be a little more runny than chappati dough. After kneading the dough well, let is sit in a warm place for about 2 hours (keep it covered so that the dough does not dry).
Pizza preparation: For one pizza
- 1/4 Onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 tomato diced
- 10 black olives thinly sliced
- 1/4 capsicum thinly sliced
- 2-3 button mushrooms thinly sliced
- a few pineapple pieces, diced
- Jalapeño or chilly flakes
- Any other toppings that you fancy
- 2-3 button mushrooms thinly sliced
- a few pineapple pieces, diced
- Jalapeño or chilly flakes
- Mix of Mozzarella and Provolone cheese grated
- Pasta/Pizza sause (I get the Tomato and herb combo)
- Italian seasoning or Oregano (optional)
- Any other toppings that you fancy
Preparing the Pizza: Before starting, pre-heat the oven to 450 F (230 C). Make sure that the oven tray for the pizza is not in the oven, the oven tray should go in cool. Take a dab of oil in your hands and spread it on an aluminium foil placed on the tray. Now take the dough and spread it on the foil with your hands. Make the dough thin if you like a crispy crust. After spreading the dough, spread the pasta sauce on the dough evenly. Add some cheese first and them spread the toppings evenly. The cheese at the bottom will hold the veggies from falling when eating. Don't over do the veggies, too much will make the pizza soggy. Add some oregano/seasoning and top off with some more cheese.
Baking the Pizza: After the pizza is prepared, make sure that the oven has reached the right temp. Place the pizza at the bottom of the oven and set your timer to 8 minutes. If after 8 minutes, you feel the pizza is still not done leave it in for 2 more minutes. Usually, if the cheese is bubbling the pizza is done. Let it cool and enjoy.
