Punjabi-style Tandoori Pizza

Ingredients

In this Punjabi adaptation of the original Apizza, we replace the traditional Italian toppings with Punjabi flavors. The tomato sauce is infused with Punjabi spices like garam masala, cumin, and coriander. The tandoori chicken adds a smoky and spicy element to the pizza, while the onions, bell peppers, and cilantro provide a fresh and vibrant touch. The crust remains similar to the original, but the toppings and flavors are distinctly Punjabi. We alse have the original recipe for Apizza, so you can check it out.

• Pizza dough: 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon instant yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water Pizza dough: 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon instant yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water
• Tomato sauce: 1 cup (240g) tomato puree, 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder, 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt Tomato sauce: 1 cup (240g) tomato puree, 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder, 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Tandoori chicken: 1 cup (200g) boneless chicken, 1/4 cup (60g) plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon tandoori masala, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon ginger paste, 1 teaspoon garlic paste, 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt Tandoori chicken: 1 cup (200g) boneless chicken, 1/4 cup (60g) plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon tandoori masala, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon ginger paste, 1 teaspoon garlic paste, 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Toppings: 1 onion (thinly sliced), 1 bell pepper (thinly sliced), 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped) Toppings: 1 onion (thinly sliced), 1 bell pepper (thinly sliced), 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)
• Cheese: 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese Cheese: 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 4g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
2. 2.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt for the pizza dough. Gradually add warm water and knead until a smooth dough forms. Cover the dough and let it rise for 1 hour.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, mix together the tomato puree, garam masala, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, and salt for the tomato sauce.
4. 4.
   In another bowl, combine the boneless chicken, plain yogurt, tandoori masala, lemon juice, ginger paste, garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt for the tandoori chicken marinade. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
5. 5.
   Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken until it is fully cooked and slightly charred. Remove from heat and slice into thin strips.
6. 6.
   Roll out the pizza dough into a thin circle and transfer it to a baking sheet.
7. 7.
   Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
8. 8.
   Arrange the tandoori chicken, sliced onions, and bell peppers on top of the sauce.
9. 9.
   Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the toppings.
10. 10.
    Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. 11.
    Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh cilantro.
12. 12.
    Slice and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken — Ensure the chicken is fully cooked before adding it to the pizza to avoid any raw meat taste.
• Tandoori masala — Adjust the amount of tandoori masala according to your spice preference. Add more for extra heat or reduce for a milder flavor.
• Pizza dough — For a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for a few minutes before adding the toppings.

Tips & Tricks

• If you don't have tandoori masala, you can substitute it with a mixture of paprika, cumin, coriander, and a pinch of turmeric.
• For a vegetarian version, replace the tandoori chicken with marinated paneer or tofu.
• Experiment with different vegetable toppings like mushrooms, spinach, or corn to add more variety to the pizza.
• Serve the pizza with a side of mint chutney or raita for an extra burst of flavor.
• Leftover pizza can be reheated in a preheated oven or on a stovetop skillet for a crispy texture.

Serving advice

Serve the Punjabi-style Tandoori Pizza hot, straight from the oven. Cut it into slices and garnish with fresh cilantro for a vibrant touch. Pair it with a side of mint chutney or raita for a refreshing accompaniment.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some chaat masala or crushed red chili flakes on top of the pizza before serving. This will add a pop of color and an extra layer of flavor.