Pinakbet Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 pizza crust 1 pizza crust
• 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon shrimp paste 1 tablespoon shrimp paste
• 1/2 cup bitter melon, sliced 1/2 cup bitter melon, sliced
• 1/2 cup eggplant, sliced 1/2 cup eggplant, sliced
• 1/2 cup squash, cubed 1/2 cup squash, cubed
• 1/2 cup string beans, cut into 2-inch pieces 1/2 cup string beans, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for drizzling Olive oil for drizzling

Nutrition

• Calories: 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat: 10g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 35g (Sugars: 5g)
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. 2.
   In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, and sauté until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Stir in the shrimp paste and cook for another minute.
4. 4.
   Add the bitter melon, eggplant, squash, and string beans to the pan. Cook until the vegetables are slightly tender.
5. 5.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Roll out the pizza crust on a baking sheet.
7. 7.
   Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the crust.
8. 8.
   Arrange the cooked vegetables on top of the sauce.
9. 9.
   Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the vegetables.
10. 10.
    Drizzle olive oil over the pizza.
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 let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.
13. 13.
    Serve hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Bitter melon — To reduce the bitterness, soak the sliced bitter melon in salted water for 10 minutes before cooking.
• Shrimp paste — If shrimp paste is not available, you can substitute it with fish sauce for a similar umami flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a crispier crust, pre-bake the pizza crust for a few minutes before adding the toppings.
• Experiment with different vegetables based on your preference and seasonal availability.
• Add a sprinkle of dried oregano or basil for an extra burst of flavor.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, add some sliced chili peppers to the toppings.
• Serve the Pinakbet Pizza with a side of vinegar dipping sauce for an authentic Filipino touch.

Serving advice

Serve the Pinakbet Pizza hot, straight from the oven. Cut it into slices and enjoy it as a main course or as a unique appetizer for gatherings and parties.

Presentation advice

Garnish the Pinakbet Pizza with fresh herbs such as basil or parsley to add a pop of color. Serve it on a wooden cutting board or a pizza stone to enhance the rustic and homemade feel.