New York-Style Pizza with a Moroccan Twist

Ingredients

While the original New York-style pizza is known for its thin and crispy crust, the Moroccan adaptation adds a touch of spice and exotic flavors to the mix. The traditional tomato sauce is enhanced with aromatic Moroccan spices such as cumin, paprika, and cinnamon, giving the pizza a rich and complex flavor profile. Additionally, the toppings are inspired by Moroccan cuisine, featuring ingredients like lamb, preserved lemons, olives, and harissa. We alse have the original recipe for New York-Style Pizza, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (470ml) warm water 2 cups (470ml) warm water
• 1 tablespoon (15g) active dry yeast 1 tablespoon (15g) active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon (12g) sugar 1 tablespoon (12g) sugar
• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons (10g) salt 2 teaspoons (10g) salt
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 cup (240ml) Moroccan spiced tomato sauce 1 cup (240ml) Moroccan spiced tomato sauce
• 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (150g) cooked lamb, thinly sliced 1 cup (150g) cooked lamb, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup (40g) sliced preserved lemons 1/4 cup (40g) sliced preserved lemons
• 1/4 cup (30g) sliced green olives 1/4 cup (30g) sliced green olives
• 1 tablespoon (15g) harissa paste 1 tablespoon (15g) harissa paste
• Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat: 18g (Saturated Fat: 7g)
• Carbohydrates: 50g (Sugars: 3g)
• Protein: 22g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
3. 3.
   Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal portions.
6. 6.
   Roll out each portion of dough into a thin circle and transfer it to a greased baking sheet.
7. 7.
   Spread the Moroccan spiced tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
8. 8.
   Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, followed by the cooked lamb, preserved lemons, and green olives.
9. 9.
   Dot the pizza with small amounts of harissa paste for an extra kick of spice.
10. 10.
    Bake the pizzas in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
11. 11.
    Remove the pizzas from the oven and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
12. 12.
    Slice and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Preserved lemons — Rinse the preserved lemons under cold water to remove excess salt before slicing and using them as a topping.
• Harissa paste — Adjust the amount of harissa paste according to your spice preference. Add more for a spicier pizza or reduce the amount for a milder flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a crispier crust, preheat your baking sheet in the oven before transferring the rolled-out dough onto it.
• Experiment with different Moroccan spices like ras el hanout or turmeric to add more depth of flavor to the tomato sauce.
• If lamb is not available, you can substitute it with cooked chicken or beef.
• Serve the pizza with a side of yogurt sauce or tzatziki for a refreshing contrast to the spices.
• Leftover pizza can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Serving advice

Serve the Moroccan Spiced Pizza hot, straight from the oven. Cut it into slices and serve on a large platter for sharing. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for a pop of color and freshness.

Presentation advice

To enhance the Moroccan theme, you can sprinkle some extra Moroccan spices, such as cumin or paprika, on top of the pizza before serving. Arrange the preserved lemon slices and olives in an attractive pattern to make the pizza visually appealing.