Some of you might be wondering, how am I adding Pizza recipe on my fitness blog? It is classified as high calorie, high carbohydrate unhealthy dish. But mostly all the children love to eat Pizza. There are so many colorful vegetables in it which children normally don’t eat. They can eat cheese as it has proteins. The fat is not so much of concern to them if they are active. The only ingredient which is unhealthy in Pizza is the all purpose flour (Maida). Those who need to limit the calorie intake can add less cheese and make the base thin crust. So let’s make this Pizza healthy.

I am giving here two recipes of Pizza.

• Pizza base made from Whole wheat base
• Whole wheat bread Pizza

Making a whole wheat pizza dough is a lengthy process which takes time. So try it when you can take out atleast 3 to 4 hrs from your day. The other one with whole wheat bread is easy and fast to prepare. So when you want a quick evening snack, it’s a good option.

Whole Wheat Vegetable Pizza

Whole Wheat Base

Ingredients:

• Whole Wheat Flour ¾ Cup
• All purpose flour (Maida) ¼ Cup
• Dry Active Yeast ¾ tsp
• Sugar ¼ tsp
• Salt 1 pinch
• Water
• 1 tbs Olive Oil
• Whole wheat flour for dusting

Method:

• Take ½ cup warm water in a mixing bowl. Around 40 degree temperature
• Add the sugar and yeast and dissolve
• Keep covered for 10 to 15 mins till the mixture has frothed. This is called proofing. If you are using Instant Yeast, you can use it immediately after stirring.
• Add half of the flour, olive oil and salt and mix everything
• Add the remaining flour and the maida and knead
• Add more water if needed. Knead the dough atleast for 8 to 10 mins or till its soft and pliable.
• Rub some olive olive oil all over the dough, cover with kitchen towel and keep it aside for 1-2 hrs to leaven it.

Tomato Pizza Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 large tomatoes, blanched and roughly crushed in hand blender
• 4-5 Garlic cloves, finely chopped
• Chopped fresh basil leaves 1 tbsp or dry basil 1 tsp
• Oregano 1 tsp
• Olive oil 2 tbsp
• Salt and black pepper as per taste

Method:

• Heat the olive oil in a pan
• Add garlic and sauté on low flame for 15 secs
• Add the tomato puree, cook it for 10 to 12 mins on medium flame
• When tomatoes are cooked add basil, oregano, salt and pepper
• Simmer for 1–2 mins on low flame.
• Let it cool

For the Toppings

• Cut the vegetables of your choice into the shape of your liking. You can keep them square cubes / long cuts / round cuts. I have used bell peppers, corns, baby tomatoes and basil leaves in round shape.
• Mozzarella cheese (Quantity of your liking)
• Oregano, chili flakes, black peeper

Assembling the Pizza

• Lightly knead the leavened pizza dough again and keep it aside for 15 to 20 minutes more
• Pre heat the oven to 250 degrees
• Grease the 9 to 10 inch diameter round pan with some olive oil. Keep it aside
• Dust the dough with whole wheat flour and roll it to 8-9 inches diameter with the rolling pin.
• Place it in the greased pan
• Brush it with some olive oil
• Spread 2-3 tbsp of pizza sauce evenly on it
• Now spread mozzarella cheese evenly.
• Top up with the vegetables
• Sprinkle some oregano and chili flakes over the pizza
• Keep the baking tray in the centre rack and bake it for 10 to 12 mins or till the crust is golden brown. Keep a check after 10 mins
• Remove from the oven, cut pieces and serve hot

Whole Wheat Bread Pizza

Instead of making a pizza base use whole wheat bread as a base. Remember to select whole wheat bread and not a brown bread. Brown breads are not always made of whole wheat flour. Sugar is added to turn the bread brown. So read the labels carefully and select the bread. Aata bread or Whole Wheat bread should be mentioned on the cover.

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees
• Brush 4 bread slices with olive oil.
• Spread the sauce, cheese, vegetables and seasonings evenly on the bread as mentioned in the recipe of Pizza
• Place the slices in the greased baking tray
• Bake for 10 mins or till it is goldern brown
• Serve hot