Indian Spiced Tomato Margherita Pizza Food

MARGHERITA PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Put a jelly roll pan or a half sheet pan in the oven.
• Begin by making the tomato sauce. In a large saute pan over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil, the minced garlic, thyme and oregano. Cook until just fragrant then add the crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Lower the heat and simmer for 7 to 8 minutes to reduce and concentrate the flavor. Shut off the heat and set aside.
• Take the preheated jelly roll pan out of the oven and drizzle some olive oil over the entire surface. Cut the dough into 2 pieces and reserve 1 piece for another use. Stretch the pizza dough out so it is just bigger than the pan, then lay it inside the pan, so the dough comes up the sides to form a crust on the rim. Smear with tomato sauce then tear up the mozzarella and scatter it evenly over the top of the pie. Tear the basil leaves, spread them over the top and drizzle with a little more olive oil. Give it a final season with salt and pepper, to taste, then bake in the hot oven until golden and bubbly, about 15 to 18 minutes
• In a small bowl, combine the yeast, sugar and water and stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, 5 to 10 minutes.
• If you're using a stand mixer, combine the salt and flour to the bowl and pulse a few times to mix. Add the yeast mixture, at the lowest speed, until the flour incorporates. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium and mix until the dough gathers into a ball. This should take about 2 minutes. Add the olive oil and pulse a few more times. Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Get a feel for the dough as you're making it by squeezing a small amount together between your thumb and fingers. If it's crumbly, add more water, if it's sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times, kneading until it's smooth and elastic.
• If you're making the dough by hand, add the yeast mixture to a large bowl and stir in the salt and the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Then begin stirring in the flour. When the mixture becomes too stiff to stir with a spoon, knead in the rest of the flour by hand, adding just enough so that the dough is soft but not too sticky. As you work, squeeze a small amount of dough together between your thumb and fingers. If it's crumbly, add more water; if it's sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
• Form the dough into a round and put it into a lightly oiled bowl, turning it over to coat the dough entirely with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot (i.e., over a gas pilot light) until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.
• Remove from the oven, cut into slices and serve. .

INDIAN PIZZA

Steps:

• For the dough: Pour the warm water into a large bowl, add the yeast and sugar and stir to dissolve. Let sit until the yeast appears foamy, about 15 minutes. Add 2 cups flour, the salt and ajwain and stir with a fork until it comes together in a shaggy ball. Knead it a few times in the bowl to incorporate the flour on the sides of the bowl, and then turn it out onto a work surface. Continue to knead the dough for a few minutes, adding the 2 tablespoons flour if it seems wet and sticky. Do not add a lot of extra flour here as the dough should be very soft and pliable. Pour a little olive oil into a clean bowl and smear it around the edges. Rub it over the surface of the dough and then place the dough in the bowl. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• For the pizza: Put the olive oil into a large skillet and add the onions, garlic and ginger. Saute until golden and soft, and then add the garam masala, turmeric, smoked paprika and salt and pepper. Add the spinach and stir until completely wilted. Let cool slightly, and then add to a food processor and puree until smooth.
• When the dough is ready, pick it up and begin to stretch and pull it into a circle. Press it onto a pizza pan, stretching the dough to the edges. Spread the spinach mixture evenly over the entire pizza. Sprinkle the cilantro and green onions over it, and then add the tomato halves. Cover with the shredded cheese.
• Place the pizza on the bottom rack of the oven and bake until the crust is golden and crispy and the cheese is bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Slice into wedges and serve.

MARGHERITA PIZZA

Steps:

• Make the dough: Combine the yeast, 1 cup warm water (about 100 degrees F) and the sugar in a food processor and pulse once to combine. Let sit until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the olive oil and pulse to combine. Mix the flour and 2 teaspoons salt in a medium bowl; add to the food processor and pulse until the dough pulls away from the side and gathers around the blade.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and form into 2 even balls. Transfer to 2 lightly oiled bowls; cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 2 to 4 hours. (You can make the dough ahead; wrap in plastic and refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze up to 2 months. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Set a pizza stone or large baking sheet on the lowest oven rack and preheat to 500 degrees F. Meanwhile, make the topping: Combine the tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl.
• Stretch 1 ball of dough into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured pizza peel or inverted baking sheet. Spread about 1/2 cup of the tomato mixture on the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top with half of the mozzarella, then brush the edge lightly with olive oil.
• Slide the pizza onto the hot stone or baking sheet and bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool 2 minutes before slicing. Repeat to make the second pizza.

INDIAN SPICED TOMATO MARGHERITA PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to 400 degrees F.
• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until just translucent, about 2 minutes, Add in the chile, garlic and the garam masala, stirring constantly for a minute or so until the mixture becomes fragrant. Add the tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes have softened slightly, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl. Stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and mix until well combined. Reserve.
• Cut the dough into 2 (8-ounce) pieces. Stretch the dough out on a lightly floured surface with your hands. When topping is ready and grill is at a consistent 400 to 450 degrees F (no hotter than 450), lightly brush the grill with olive oil. Place dough directly onto the grill surface. Close the grill cover and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. About 2 minutes in, open the grill and pop the air bubbles with a fork. The bottom should be brown with some charred spots but not burned or underdone. Close lid and continue cooking. Remove from grill and place on a work surface with the cooked/grilled side up.
• Lower the heat on the grill to medium-low so that the cheese has time to melt and the bottom does not burn.
• Spread half of the tomato mixture on each pizza, then evenly divide the cheese over the tomato mixture.
• Lightly oil the grill once more and carefully place the pizzas, tomato/cheese side up, onto the grill.
• Close the lid and let it cook slowly for another 5 to 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and so that the bottom does not burn. When the cheese is completely melted and the bottom is a nice even brown with some charred spots, remove from the grill to a cutting board, slice and serve.