Pizza Romana with a Pakistani Twist

Ingredients

In this Pakistani adaptation of Pizza Romana, we incorporate the flavors of Pakistani cuisine by using a zesty tomato sauce infused with aromatic spices such as cumin, coriander, and red chili powder. The traditional Italian toppings are replaced with marinated chicken tikka, which adds a spicy and tangy element to the pizza. This fusion of Italian and Pakistani flavors creates a unique and mouthwatering dish. We alse have the original recipe for Pizza Romana, so you can check it out.

• Pizza dough: Pizza dough:
• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup (120ml) warm water 1/2 cup (120ml) warm water
• Tomato sauce: Tomato sauce:
• 1 cup (240ml) tomato puree 1 cup (240ml) tomato puree
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Toppings: Toppings:
• 1 cup (150g) boneless chicken, cut into small tikka pieces 1 cup (150g) boneless chicken, cut into small tikka pieces
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon yogurt 1 tablespoon yogurt
• 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 4g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt for the pizza dough. Gradually add the olive oil and warm water, and knead until a smooth dough forms. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. 2.
   In the meantime, prepare the tomato sauce by heating olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the tomato puree, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, salt, and sugar. Cook the sauce for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly. Set aside.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, marinate the chicken tikka pieces with ginger paste, garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, salt, and yogurt. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes.
4. 4.
   Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F).
5. 5.
   Roll out the pizza dough into a thin circle and transfer it to a baking sheet or pizza stone.
6. 6.
   Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
7. 7.
   Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
8. 8.
   Arrange the marinated chicken tikka pieces, sliced onions, and green bell peppers on top of the cheese.
9. 9.
   Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the toppings.
10. 10.
    Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. 11.
    Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
12. 12.
    Slice and serve the Spicy Chicken Tikka Pizza Romana while it's still hot and enjoy the delicious fusion of Italian and Pakistani flavors.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken tikka — Make sure to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate. You can also grill or pan-fry the chicken tikka before adding it to the pizza for an extra smoky flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add sliced green chilies or sprinkle red chili flakes over the pizza before baking.
• Experiment with different toppings such as sliced tomatoes, mushrooms, or olives to customize the pizza to your liking.
• If you prefer a thicker crust, let the dough rise for a longer period of time before rolling it out.
• To save time, you can use store-bought pizza dough instead of making it from scratch.
• Serve the pizza with a side of mint chutney or yogurt sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

Serving advice

Serve the Spicy Chicken Tikka Pizza Romana hot, straight from the oven. Cut it into slices and enjoy it as a main course or as a delicious appetizer for gatherings and parties.

Presentation advice

For an appealing presentation, garnish the pizza with fresh cilantro leaves and sprinkle some red chili flakes over the top. Serve it on a wooden pizza board or a colorful platter to enhance its visual appeal.