Homemade Garden Delight Pizza

Ingredients

• 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
• 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce
• 1 cup (120g) shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup (120g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (75g) sliced bell peppers 1/2 cup (75g) sliced bell peppers
• 1/2 cup (75g) cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup (75g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup (75g) sliced zucchini 1/2 cup (75g) sliced zucchini
• 1/2 cup (75g) sliced mushrooms 1/2 cup (75g) sliced mushrooms
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories: 280 kcal / 1170 KJ
• Fat: 9g (Saturated Fat: 3g)
• Carbohydrates: 40g (Sugar: 3g)
• Protein: 9g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Gradually add the warm water and olive oil, mixing until a dough forms.
2. 2.
   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
3. 3.
   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.
4. 4.
   Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
5. 5.
   Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal portions. Roll out each portion into a thin circle.
6. 6.
   Place the rolled-out dough on a baking sheet or pizza stone.
7. 7.
   Spread half of the tomato sauce evenly over each pizza crust.
8. 8.
   Top the pizzas with the shredded mozzarella cheese, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and mushrooms.
9. 9.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
11. 11.
    Slice and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Bell peppers — For a smoky flavor, you can roast the bell peppers before slicing them for the pizza.
• Cherry tomatoes — If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can roast the cherry tomatoes in the oven for a few minutes before adding them to the pizza.
• Zucchini — To prevent the zucchini from releasing excess moisture and making the crust soggy, lightly salt the sliced zucchini and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then, pat dry with a paper towel before using.
• Mushrooms — For a richer flavor, sauté the sliced mushrooms in a little olive oil before adding them to the pizza.
• Basil leaves — Tear the basil leaves just before garnishing the pizza to preserve their freshness and aroma.

Tips & Tricks

• For a crispier crust, preheat your baking sheet or pizza stone in the oven before placing the rolled-out dough on it.
• Experiment with different vegetable combinations based on seasonal availability.
• Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
• For a more indulgent version, drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over the pizza before serving.
• If you prefer a thicker crust, let the dough rise for a longer period of time.

Serving advice

Serve the Homemade Garden Delight Pizza hot, straight from the oven. Cut it into slices and enjoy it as a main course or as a delightful appetizer for gatherings. Pair it with a fresh green salad to complete the meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the pizza with a few extra basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve it on a wooden cutting board or a pizza stone to create an authentic Italian feel.