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Wednesday 5 October 2011

Tandoori Paneer Pizza | Indian Cottage Cheese Pizza

Yes, I have been cooking regularly. No, I haven't forgotten that I have a very special blog. :P I've just been busy being sick! I'm back with a Pizza! Yep, another Pizza! :-D Last time, I made Mini Pizzas. which were Italian. This time, I decided to go with a quintessential Indian flavor. Even the basic sauce has a touch of Indian-ness to it!

*Tandoori Paneer Pizza* |  Pizza itself is a weakness. Throw in Paneer (Cottage Cheese) and you've got yourself a master-piece! I have used all healthy ingredients in this Pizza including a wheat Pizza base. I also made this on a pan rather than a microwave or an oven. Just wanted to retain the Indian-ness/ tandoor concept as much as possible! But you can use a microwave too.

Ingredients
For the Pizza Sauce -
Tomatooes - 4 medium sized chopped
Onion - 1 medium; finely chopped
Ginger Paste - 1/4 teaspoon
Garlic paste - 1/2 teaspoon
Salt - to taste; 1 teaspoon
Red Chili Powder - 1 teaspoon
Garam Masala Powder - 1 teaspoon (or use Chaat masala if you want)
Green Chili - 2; roughly chopped
Vegetable Oil - 1 teaspoon
Blender / Food Processor / Mixer
Tomato Ketchup - 1 tablespoon (optional)

For the PIZZA -
Store bought Pizza Base (I used thin crust, wheat pizza base) (or make your own base)
Pizza Sauce (as prepared)
Paneer / Cottage Cheese - 100 grams (for 2 Pizzas)
Capsicum - 1 medium; cut julienne
Oniom - 1 small, sliced (optional)
Cheese - preferably Mozzarella (just a little to cover the pizza)

Method
A. Marinating the Panner / Cottage Cheese
1) Take good quality cottage cheese / paneer & chop them into small cubes.
2) In a small bowl, take 2 tablespoons of Curd / Yogurt, add 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tsp red chili powder, 1 tsp Garam Masala Powder & 1 teaspoon chicpea/besan powder (kadalai maavu) and mix it well.
3) Add the paneer / cottage cheese cubes in it & mix well. Let it rest for about 45min-1 hour

B) Making the PIZZA SAUCE
Remember the Pizza Sauce I made for the Calzone? This is exactly like that. Only the spices vary a bit to taste Indian! ;-)
1) Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a kadai / pan & add the chopped onions
2) Add the ginger & garlic
tomatoes & salt
red chili powder & garam masala powder
3) Mix well & sauté well for 3-4 minutes until the mixture shrinks & the raw smell of the spices is gone.
4) Add the mixture to a blender. (let it cool for 5 minutes) Blend / Grind to a smooth paste.
5) Add this paste to the pan again & let it cook for another 2 minutes. Finally, add 2 tablespoons of tomato ketchup. I just add coz the ketchup gives the sauce a good color. It is not compulsory.
6) & Voila! The Indianized Pizza Sauce is ready!


C) Making the Tandoori Pizza
1) Take the marinated cottage cheese / paneer in a pan with some Pizza Sauce. (use the same pan as the previously prepared sauce) & Just stir fry for 1 minute.
2) Take your Pizza Base on a flat surface.
3) Apply the sauce prepared generously all over it.
4) Arrange the paneer / cottage cheese on the pizza.
5) Add your onions & capsicum.
6) Add the cheese. (optional)
7) Take a flat pan. Keep your pizza on the pan & on LOW FLAME, let it cook for 5 minutes closed. To cook the pizza, take a larger vessel that covers the whole pizza but is not larger than the flat pan. Cover the pizza & cook on low flame for 5-8 minutes.
8) Your Tandoori Paneer Pizza is READY!! :-D
Alternatively,
- cook the same in Microwave on Cooking  + Grilling for 4 minutes. OR
- in the OTG model for 10 minutes
whichever works the best for you!
The spicy tangy crispy Pizza with the soft cottage cheese was absolutely delicious!!!
*Munch Munch*

22 comments:

  1. Wow, Pizza time. I envy you. I can start making them only when the kids start school. So good.

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  2. Seriously i cant take my eyes from ur clicks, super tempting pizza..

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  3. wow looks amazingly delicious!

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  4. wow gr8 job dear...love the home made pizza...why the name edible entertainment...very different than the usual names

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  5. That looks delicious... I recently started making Pizza and have been thinking of doing it all Indian way. maybe before I try it my own way I can give this a try.

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  6. Yumm! Would love to have a slice.

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  7. My most fav pizza topping!!! Thats a droolworthy slice of pizza...
    Prathima Rao
    Prats Corner

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  8. Boss, this is amazing!! Great idea! Jyaada time bhi nahi lagega banane ko! :)

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  9. Thanks kavi for the kind words you left on my space. Nice to meet you. BTW Pizza looks so yumm... It really tempts me to have bite now.

    Cheers,
    Uma

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  10. I agree moderation is the key word for any thing foods included. Mini micro amts of cheese are allowed. Especially if you are making an Pizza.
    thanks for linking it to my event.

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  11. That pizza sounds really good!

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  12. can i use this for lunch time as rujuta's prinicple roti, veggie, curd

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Thanks for the feedback! :-)

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