Mughlai Stuffed Zucchini Blossom Pizza

Ingredients

In the Mughlai adaptation of the dish, the traditional Italian pizza is transformed into a Mughlai-style pizza by incorporating Mughlai flavors and ingredients. The original dish typically uses mozzarella cheese and traditional Italian herbs, while the Mughlai version replaces mozzarella with paneer and adds aromatic spices like cardamom, saffron, and garam masala. Additionally, the Mughlai Stuffed Zucchini Blossom Pizza incorporates zucchini blossoms, a popular ingredient in Mughlai cuisine, which adds a delicate and floral flavor to the dish. We alse have the original recipe for Pizza fiori di zucca, so you can check it out.

• For the pizza crust: For the pizza crust:
• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (5g) instant yeast 1 teaspoon (5g) instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon (5g) sugar 1 teaspoon (5g) sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon (3g) salt 1/2 teaspoon (3g) salt
• 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• For the Mughlai-style filling: For the Mughlai-style filling:
• 200g paneer, crumbled 200g paneer, crumbled
• 1/4 cup (30g) cashews, soaked in water for 30 minutes and drained 1/4 cup (30g) cashews, soaked in water for 30 minutes and drained
• 1/4 cup (60ml) milk 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
• 1/2 teaspoon (2g) cardamom powder 1/2 teaspoon (2g) cardamom powder
• 1/4 teaspoon (1g) saffron strands, soaked in 1 tablespoon warm milk 1/4 teaspoon (1g) saffron strands, soaked in 1 tablespoon warm milk
• 1/2 teaspoon (2g) garam masala 1/2 teaspoon (2g) garam masala
• Salt to taste Salt to taste
• For the toppings: For the toppings:
• 8-10 zucchini blossoms, stamens removed 8-10 zucchini blossoms, stamens removed
• For garnish: For garnish:
• Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• Crushed red pepper flakes Crushed red pepper flakes

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 3g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt for the pizza crust. Gradually add warm water and olive oil, and knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   In a blender, combine the crumbled paneer, soaked cashews, milk, cardamom powder, saffron milk, garam masala, and salt. Blend until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
4. 4.
   Roll out the pizza dough into a round shape and transfer it to a baking sheet.
5. 5.
   Spread the Mughlai-style filling evenly over the pizza crust.
6. 6.
   Gently stuff each zucchini blossom with a small amount of the filling and place them on top of the pizza.
7. 7.
   Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crispy.
8. 8.
   Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and crushed red pepper flakes.
9. 9.
   Slice and serve the Mughlai Stuffed Zucchini Blossom Pizza hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Paneer — Make sure the paneer is crumbled well to achieve a smooth filling consistency.
• Cashews — Soaking the cashews in water helps in blending them into a creamy texture.

Tips & Tricks

• If zucchini blossoms are not available, you can substitute with other edible flowers like pumpkin blossoms or squash blossoms.
• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the Mughlai-style filling.
• Experiment with different toppings like sliced onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms to add more flavor and texture to the pizza.
• Serve the pizza with a side of mint chutney or raita for a refreshing contrast.
• Leftover pizza can be refrigerated and reheated in a preheated oven for a few minutes to regain its crispiness.

Serving advice

Serve the Mughlai Stuffed Zucchini Blossom Pizza hot, straight from the oven. Cut it into slices and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and crushed red pepper flakes for an added burst of flavor.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the stuffed zucchini blossoms in a circular pattern on top of the pizza. Sprinkle some extra saffron strands on the crust for an elegant touch.