Monday, September 27, 2010

Thin crust Pizza


               There are three main steps to make good pizza. First one is the base/crust, second is pizza sause & the third is toppings. It is better if you have pizza pan,but you can still make good pizza by using baking tray. This recipe gives you one 12" pizza. I have divided the dough & made one 8" pizza & one 4 " pizza.

Base crust
  • Maida/All purpose flour  - 1 cup
  • Active yeast - 1 tsp
  • Warm water - 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp
  • Olive oil - 2 tsp
  • Salt to taste

Pizza sause
  • Tomato - 2 medium size
  • Garlic (or garlic powder) - 2 finely chopped
  • Tomato sause - 2 tbsp
  • Olive oil - 1 tsp
  • Mortadella cheese - 1 tsp
  • Pepper - 1/4 tsp
  • Basil - 1/4 tsp
  • Oregano - 1/4 tsp
  • Salt - a pinch

Toppings
  • Capsicum - 1/2 cup
  • Onion - 1/2 medium size (thinly chopped)
  • Tomato - 1/2 medium size 
  • Jalapenos - 1
  • Olives - few 
  • Mushroom -1/4 cup (thinly chopped)
  • Pineapple - 1/2 cup (cubed)
  • Mortadella cheese (grated) - 1/2 cup
  • Olive oil - 1 tbsp

Method
For the sause


  • Make a puree out of the tomatoes.
  • Heat oil in the pan on medium flame & add the garlic & fry for few seconds.
  • Now add the tomato puree & mix well for few minutes or until there is no raw smell.
  • Now add all the other ingredients for the sause except cheese.
  • When it starts becoming thick, add the cheese & switch off the flame.

For the crust
  • Add the yeast in quater cup of warm water & allow it to sit for few minutes until you see the foam on top of the water.

  • Now add this to the flour & mix well by sprinkling some salt in your mixing bowl. Also add 1tsp of olive oil.
  • If the dough is very thick add 1 tbsp of water.
  • Finally pour the remaining 1tsp of olive oil on top of the dough to shape a ball.

  • Cover the bowl & keep it in a warm place until the dough doubles (approximately 1 hour).



  • Now punch the dough & cover it again & rest it in a warm place,so that it raises again (this time approximately 20 - 30 minutes).
  • Now nicely grease the 12 inch pan with olive oil & place the dough in it.

  • Slowly spread the dough like a thin layer using your fingers.


For the topping


  • Spread some pizza sause on the flattened dough.
  • Arrange the vegetables one by one as shown.

  • Finally sprinkle some cheese.

  • Drizzle some olive oil on the edges of the crust & also some on the top.
  • Bake it at 425 degree F for 20-25 minutes or till it becomes golden brown in color.
  • Remove it from the pan carefully once it is done.
  • Run your pizza cutter or knife to make pieces & serve hot.

Tips for the recipe - I didn't use olives & mushrooms cause i didn't have any at that time.You can also choose your own topping combos. Adding oil to the edges of the crust will give nice crispy crust.

I made small broccoli pizza & here is the topping recipe.



  • Mortadella cheese (grated) - 1/4 cup
  • Broccoli - 1/2 cup
  • Jalapenos - 1 or 2 to taste
  • Onions - 1/2 small size (thinly chopped)
  • Garlic powder - to taste
  • Olive oil - 1 1/2 tsp

Method - Spread some pizza sause on the flattened dough. Arrange the vegetables (broccoli, Jalapenos & onions). Sprinkle some cheese followed by the garlic powder. Drizzle some olive oil on the edges of the crust & also some on the top. Bake it at 425 degree F for 20-25 minutes or till it becomes golden brown in color.


Sunday, September 5, 2010

Lemon chicken



Ingredients
  • Chicken - 2 breast split (cut into 1 inch pieces)
  • Garlic - 4 (finely chopped)
  • Ginger - equal to garlic (finely chopped)
  • Corn flour - 1 cup
  • Egg - 1 (slightly beaten)
  • Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tbsp
  • Soya sause - 1 tsp
  • Vinegar - 2 tsp
  • Lemon juice - 1 - 1 1/2 tsp
  • Lemon zest - 1 - 1 1/2 tsp
  • Lemon rings - 6 (thinly sliced)
  • Yellow food color - a pinch
  • Green chillies - 8 (finely chopped)
  • Spring onions - handful (diagonally chopped)
  • Coriander leaves - handful
  • Oil as required
  • Salt to taste

Method
  • Mix 1 tbsp of corn flour in 1 cup of water & keep it aside.
  • Mix soya sause, salt, ginger-garlic paste, egg & chicken together. Keep it aside for 15 minutes.
  • Now coat it with the flour &amp slightly tap it to remove excess flour; deep fry it or shallow fry it immediately.
  • Heat 1 tbsp of oil & fry ginger & garlic.
  • Then add green chillies.
  • Now add vinegar, food color & corn flour water.
  • When the mixture becomes slightly thick & saucy, add the lemon zest & juice.
  • Also the chicken pieces.
  • Give a final & quick mix by adding the spring onions, lemon rings & coriander leaves.

Tips for the recipe - Do not allow the chicken pieces to sit (not even few minutes) once it gets coated with the flour. Fry it immediately or else it will affect the crispiness & texture of the chicken pieces. Use light yellow color lemon(ripe) for good taste or else you may feel some bitter taste in the recipe. Also do not add the lemon juice before the sauce is ready.

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