Pizza Crust – healthier, ethnic or cheeseless pizzas
From the Whole Gourmet Cooking Blog
Great step by step video for making wholesome pizza crusts.
Homemade Pizza – Pizza Crust Video
When we think of pizza, most Americans think cheese and pepperoni. Of course there are many popular toppings that branch out from these staples, but in general, we tend not to stray too far from the occasional artichoke heart or sundried tomato.
But think about it… pizza crust is just a simple flatbread. Flatbreads are a staple food all over the world and are eaten with all kinds of traditional ethnic foods, such as Indian curries, peppery African stews, Moroccan harissas, and even with a simple South American breakfast. For these folks, flatbreads are used in the same way that Westerners use forks. So why not make a pizza out of it?
Creative examples for healthier, ethnic or cheeseless pizzas:
Thai Pizza
Base: Thai peanut sauce
Toppings: shredded Napa cabbage and carrots, marinated baked tofu, splash of soy sauce and lime juice, chopped peanuts
Herbs: minced garlic and ginger, fresh cilantro and Thai basil
Fajita Pizza
Base: refried beans, olive oil
Toppings: fajita-style vegetables or meats, quacamole, sour cream, splash of lime juice
Herbs: minced garlic, fresh cilantro
Polish Pizza
Base: saurkraut
Toppings: Polish sausage (or veggie sausage), onion, green pepper, olive oil
Herbs: minced garlic, caraway seeds
Curry Pizza
Base: saag paneer (pureed spinach with cheese)
Toppings: chicken or vegetable curry, cashews
Herbs: minced garlic and ginger, fresh cilantro
The Pizza Crust Recipe:
3-In-1 Homemade Pizza Crust Recipe
Since the vast majority of Western kids have a positive association with pizza, “making a pizza out of it” is a fabulous way to introduce young children to new and exotic flavors. Not only will the pizza look appealing, the bread will act to soften strong, ethnic spices that may be foreign to the uninitiated palatte. Cheese, of course, can also help soften the blow.
A pizza doesn’t have to have cheese on it to make it a “real” pizza, though. Cheeseless pizzas aren’t just for vegans and lactose intolerants. My personal favorite is a simple cheeseless pizza loaded instead with pesto, caramelized onions and walnuts (see recipe below). It can be topped with just a dot of feta for the occasional burst of flavor, but cheese is not the highlight of the pizza, as it would be for nearly all American-style pizzas.
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