PIZZA (CHICKEN)

 Pizzas are one of the most popular food items in the entire world. They are native to Italy and it is believed that pizzas were a subtle improvisation of flat bread prepared by ancient Greeks and Italians. The base forms the structure of your pizza. You can choose from ready-made pizza bases or can make one at home. Make sure that you knead the dough properly and pay close attention to the ingredients that you add. A little yeast is always desirable as it helps the base to rise properly. Adding lukewarm water and a little olive oil ensures a wonderfully smooth and soft dough. You can choose from a variety of flours for your base. From the traditional maida to whole wheat atta, multi-grain, soy flour and oatmeal flour.Today I am using maida and readymade sauce. You can even make fresh pizza sauce at home.You can let your creativity run wild when it comes to topping your pizza,from aromatic herbs and garden fresh veggies to soy chunks, meat balls, prawns, paneer, mushrooms,chicken, corn, fish and lots more.Mozzarella cheese will always remain the classic and most preferred variety however ricotta and cheddar cheese can also be used.

Ingredients

• Maida - 1 Cup
• Warm Water - ½ Cup
• Olive Oil - 2 Tbsp
• Mixed Herbs - 1 Tbsp
• Sugar - ½ Tsp
• Salt - To Taste
• Yeast - ½ Tbsp
• Onions - ¼ Cup (Chopped)
• Bell Peppers - ¼ Cup (Chopped)
• Button Mushrooms  - ¼ Cup (sliced)
• Pizza Sauce - 3 Tbsp
• Cheese - ½ Cup
• Olive OIl - 1 Tbsp
• Chicken pieces- 200gms(small cubes)
• Salt n Herbs - Your Preference!

Instructions

1. In a bowl add the warm water, sugar and yeast. Mix well and keep aside for 10 minutes.
2. Add the Maida, salt, herbs in a bowl or a kneading plate and mix well. Pour in the yeast mix and knead to a sticky soft dough, if required add more warm water.
3. Transfer to a oil greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth and keep aside in a warm place for about an hour.
4. After one hour, heat a gas tandoor/cooker in med-high flame or a oven at 250° C for 10 minutes.
5. Dust you hands with maida and knead the dough out for a minute. Then roll it dusting Maida in between to prevent sticking as thin or as thick as you prefer. I roll it to 26 cm diameter.
6. In a pizza pan or any bakeable tawa add one tbsp oil and then place the rolled pizza dough and adjust the shape if needed to.
7. Place the tawa in the tandoor and bake the base for 2minutes.Maida  crust pizzas have a tendency to have a raw after taste/smell if not cooked well.
8. Take the base out and spread the sauce, scatter the cheese, onions, capsicums, mushroom slices and chicken cubes. Season with salt and smear the edges with oil.
9. Transfer this to the ovem and bake for 20 minutes in med-high flame.
10. Pizza is ready, rub the herbs and add those in as well, slice and enjoy!