Y'day was my son's birthday and I wanted to surprise him. It was almost a year since we had pizza. Before we turned vegan and moved to wholefoods, pizza was a weekly feature at home. Its impossible to express how much we actually missed eating pizza. Thankfully, our mind control got us out of the addiction.
This vegan whole meal pizza uses Sorghum (jowar) flour for the base, homemade tomato sauce and vegan mozzarella cheese.
Benefits of Sorghum
Gluten-free
High in protein and iron
Rich in fibre
Controls blood sugar levels as it is a complex carbohydrate
High level of Magnesium which helps in absorption of Calcium, in turn, maintains good bone health.
Packed with B vitamins, Potassium and Phosphorus.
Contains traces of Zinc, Copper and 20 other micronutrients.
High levels of antioxidants
PIZZA BASE
Ingredients:
3 cups whole sorghum
4 tsp instant yeast
1 tbsp raw sugar / coconut sugar
1.5 tsp salt
1 1/2 - 2 cups warm water
Method:
In a high speed blender, grind sorghum into fine powder.
In a bowl, combine 1 cup warm water with yeast and sugar. Make sure that the water is just lukewarm else it will kill the yeast. Set aside for 5-7 minutes to activate.
In a separate bowl, combine flour and the yeast mixture, add required water and knead into a dough.
PIZZA SAUCE
Ingredients:
6 large tomatoes
1 small onion
2 garlic pods
2-3 fresh basil leaves
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 - 1 tsp salt
Method:
Blend all the ingredients into a smooth paste.
Pour into a pan and heat till it evaporates and comes to a thick saucy consistency.
VEGAN CHEESE
Ingredients
1/2 cup raw soaked cashews
1 1/2 cups water
1 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp onion /garlic powder
4 tbsp tapioca starch
Method:
Blend all the ingredients together to form a smooth paste.
Pour into a saucepan and continually stir as it cooks.
As you stir, it will start forming lumps and all of a sudden it will come to a cheese-like consistency.
This is a perfect replacement to the mozzarella cheese.
HOW TO ASSEMBLE
Shape the dough in to a large ball.
Roll it flat on a greased or on a surface dusted with flour. You may either use a rolling pin or pat gently using your fingers to spread the base.
Preheat the oven to 200 C and heat the pizza stone.
When the stone is hot, pull it out of the over carefully and transfer the pizza base on to the stone by flipping the surface.
Bake for 5 mins and take it out.
Spread the tomato sauce.
Top it with veggies like onion, capsicum, mushrooms, tofu and olives.
Sprinkle salt and dried oregano.
Drip the cheese onto the pizza.
Bake it again until done.
Cut immediately and serve.