Know How You Can Make Your Pizza Healthy: Check Out Some Interesting Recipes

A lot of cheese, meats, a thick crust and lesser veggies make your pizza unhealthy. Here are some ways in which you can slightly modify your pizza to make it healthier yet not compromise on taste.

Interesting Recipes To Try At Home To Make Your Pizza Healthy

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New Delhi: We all crave pizzas no matter what is the occasion- be it movies or parties or just binge-watching, pizzas can be a perfect partner to all of it. Nothing beats a good pizza every now and again. Pizza receives great ratings for being a simple, tasty, economical, and diverse supper. However, if your favourite dish is topped with an inch of cheese and covered crust-to-crust with pepperoni and sausage, you might not want to consume it so frequently. 

A lot of cheese, meats, a thick crust and lesser veggies- all these make your pizza unhealthy. Now, there are ways in which you can slightly modify your pizza so that it becomes healthier yet does not compromise on taste.

In this regard, Saurabh Chhabra, Co-founder and Director at Crusty Culture shared with ABP Live, ways to make a healthy pizza and also shared an interesting recipe for Pesto Veggies Pizza:

• Use a whole wheat thin-crust
• Add more veggies 
• Use 100% fresh mozzarella instead of regular processed mozzarella cheese
• Avoid using preservative-added tomato sauce. Homemade marinara sauce or maybe pesto sauce is a better option

Pesto Veggies Pizza:

Ingredients:

• Pizza Dough  (Whole Wheat Crust)
• Whole Wheat Flour- 1000 gms
• White Oats- 100 gm
• Fresh Yeast- 10 gm
• Olive oil- 70 gm
• Water- 550 gm
• Salt- 25 gm
• Sugar- 30 gm
• Pesto Sauce- 60 gms
• Fresh Mozzarella or Bocconcini- 100 gms 
• Charred Zucchini- 50 gm
• Grilled Broccoli- 50 gm
• Marinated Mushrooms- 50 gm
• Red Onions- 30 gm
• Sliced Olives (Black)- 10 gm

Method: 

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, white oats, salt, and sugar. Mix well.

2. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the fresh yeast in a little warm water.

3. Add the olive oil and dissolved yeast to the dry ingredients. Gradually add water and knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.

4. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise for about an hour in a warm place.

5. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

6. Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a circular shape of about 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter.

7. Spread the pesto sauce evenly over the pizza crust.

8. Top with sliced fresh mozzarella or bocconcini, charred zucchini, grilled broccoli, marinated mushrooms, red onions, and black olives.

9. Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

10. Remove from the oven, slice, and serve hot.

11. Enjoy your delicious and healthy Pesto Veggies pizza with a whole wheat crust!

Additionally, Chef Kailash Singh Parihar at Cafe De'lan shared how 'Neapolitan Pizza' can be made healthier by choosing high-quality ingredients and controlling portion sizes. He advised the following changes to your pizza:

1. Choose whole wheat or whole grain crust: Whole wheat or whole grain crusts are healthier options than traditional white flour crusts because they contain more fibre and nutrients.

2. Use fresh ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality ingredients, such as fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese and add plenty of vegetables to your pizza, such as spinach, mushrooms, peppers, and onions. These are packed with nutrients and fibre.

3. Control portion sizes: Keep your portions in check by eating just one or two slices of pizza and pairing it with a healthy salad or vegetable side dish.

4. Limit fatty meats: Avoid fatty meats like pepperoni and sausage, which are high in saturated fat and calories.

To make an authentic Neapolitan pizza which is healthy yet tasty, follow the steps listed below:

Neapolitan Pizza:

Ingredients:

• 500g (4 cups) of "00" flour (this is a finely ground Italian flour with a low protein content)
• 325ml (1 1/3 cups) of water
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of active dry yeast
• San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
• Buffalo mozzarella cheese, torn into pieces
• Fresh basil
• Extra-virgin olive oil

Method:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the yeast with the water until the yeast has dissolved.
3. Pour the water and yeast mixture into the flour mixture and stir until a sticky dough forms.
4. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours or until doubled in size.
6. Preheat your oven to the highest temperature possible (usually around 500°F or 260°C) and place a pizza stone on the bottom rack.
7. Divide the dough into four equal parts and shape each piece into a ball.
8. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball of dough into a thin circle, leaving a slightly thicker edge. 
9. Top the pizza with crushed San Marzano tomatoes, torn buffalo mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves.
10. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
11. Using a pizza peel, transfer the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone.
12. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
13. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Lastly, Chef Subir of Breakin’ Brew shared how to make a healthy Vegetariana Pizza. Additionally, he also shared recipes to make healthy dough and sauce. 

Vegetariana Pizza:

Ingredients:

• 1 whole wheat pizza crust
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives
• 1/4 cup sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped spinach
• 1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese or grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Place the pizza crust on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Spread the tomato sauce over the pizza crust.
4. Add the sliced mushrooms, black olives, red onion, bell pepper, and spinach.
5. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil and minced garlic. Brush this mixture over the pizza toppings.
6. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Slice and serve hot.

Dough Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Method:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast and sugar in warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy.
2. Add the whole wheat flour, salt, and olive oil to the bowl and stir until a dough forms.
3. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean dish towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
5. After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a circular shape.

Pizza Sauce Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 can (400 gm) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

• In a blender or food processor, combine the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried basil. Pulse until smooth.
• Pour the mixture into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.
• Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool.