New Mexican-Style Pizza

Ingredients

While the original New York-style pizza is known for its thin and crispy crust, our New Mexican adaptation features a slightly thicker crust with a touch of cornmeal for that authentic Southwestern taste. We also incorporate traditional New Mexican ingredients such as green chilies, cilantro, and cotija cheese to give the pizza a unique and spicy kick. We alse have the original recipe for New York-Style Pizza, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (60g) cornmeal 1/2 cup (60g) cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon (5g) salt 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
• 1 teaspoon (5g) sugar 1 teaspoon (5g) sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
• 1 cup (235ml) warm water 1 cup (235ml) warm water
• 1 tablespoon (15g) active dry yeast 1 tablespoon (15g) active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup (120ml) tomato sauce 1/2 cup (120ml) tomato sauce
• 1 cup (115g) shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup (115g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (60g) chopped green chilies 1/2 cup (60g) chopped green chilies
• 1/4 cup (30g) chopped red onion 1/4 cup (30g) chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup (15g) chopped fresh cilantro 1/4 cup (15g) chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup (30g) crumbled cotija cheese 1/4 cup (30g) crumbled cotija cheese

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 12g (6g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 40g (3g sugars)
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, salt, and sugar.
2. 2.
   In a separate small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
3. 3.
   Pour the yeast mixture and olive oil into the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
4. 4.
   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
7. 7.
   Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal portions. Roll out each portion into a round pizza crust.
8. 8.
   Place the pizza crusts on baking sheets or pizza stones.
9. 9.
   Spread tomato sauce evenly over each crust, leaving a small border around the edges.
10. 10.
    Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese, green chilies, red onion, and cilantro over the sauce.
11. 11.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. 12.
    Remove from the oven and sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese over the hot pizzas.
13. 13.
    Let the pizzas cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Green chilies — If you prefer a milder heat, remove the seeds and membranes from the green chilies before chopping.
• Cotija cheese — For a creamier texture, crumble the cotija cheese just before using it on the pizza.

Tips & Tricks

• To add an extra smoky flavor, grill the green chilies before chopping and adding them to the pizza.
• Experiment with different toppings such as grilled corn, black beans, or diced tomatoes to customize your New Mexican-Style Pizza.
• For a spicier kick, drizzle some hot sauce or sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes over the pizza before baking.
• If you prefer a thinner crust, roll out the dough into a larger circle and adjust the baking time accordingly.
• Leftover pizza can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the New Mexican-Style Pizza hot and fresh from the oven. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice for a burst of freshness. Pair it with a side of salsa or guacamole for dipping.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some extra chopped cilantro and crumbled cotija cheese on top of the pizza just before serving. Cut the pizza into wedges and arrange them on a colorful platter or wooden board.