Moroccan-inspired Pizza Margherita

Ingredients

While the original Pizza Margherita is known for its simplicity and use of Italian ingredients, our Moroccan-inspired version incorporates the bold flavors of Moroccan cuisine. We have added aromatic spices like cumin, paprika, and cinnamon to the tomato sauce, and topped the pizza with ingredients commonly found in Moroccan dishes, such as preserved lemons, olives, and fresh mint. We alse have the original recipe for Pizza Margherita, so you can check it out.

• 1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade) 1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup (30g) sliced black olives 1/4 cup (30g) sliced black olives
• 1/4 cup (30g) sliced green olives 1/4 cup (30g) sliced green olives
• 1/4 cup (30g) sliced preserved lemons 1/4 cup (30g) sliced preserved lemons
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 14g (7g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 34g (4g sugars)
• Protein: 14g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F).
2. 2.
   Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
3. 3.
   In a small bowl, mix the tomato sauce with cumin, paprika, and cinnamon. Spread the spiced tomato sauce evenly over the pizza dough.
4. 4.
   Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
5. 5.
   Arrange the sliced black olives, green olives, and preserved lemons on top of the cheese.
6. 6.
   Transfer the pizza to a baking sheet or pizza stone and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
7. 7.
   Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with fresh mint leaves before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Preserved lemons — Rinse the preserved lemons under cold water before slicing to remove excess saltiness.
• Fresh mint leaves — Gently tear the mint leaves just before garnishing to release their aroma.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top of the pizza before baking.
• Experiment with different types of olives, such as Kalamata or Moroccan oil-cured olives, for a unique flavor profile.
• If you prefer a thinner crust, roll out the pizza dough to a thinner consistency.
• Serve the pizza with a side of harissa sauce for an additional Moroccan touch.
• If you don't have preserved lemons, you can substitute with thinly sliced lemon zest.

Serving advice

Serve the Moroccan-inspired Pizza Margherita hot, straight from the oven. Cut it into slices and enjoy it as a main course or as part of a shared meal. This pizza pairs well with a fresh green salad or a side of couscous.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some extra fresh mint leaves on top of the pizza just before serving. The vibrant green color of the mint will add a pop of freshness to the dish. Serve it on a wooden cutting board or a Moroccan-inspired platter to showcase the fusion of cuisines.