Tandoori Paneer Pizza

I am an avid lover of Indianised pizzas. I try mixing Indian spices into the pizza sauces, adding cilantro, topping it off with curried eggplants. Really, the list just keeps going on and on in my kitchen. My daughter loves to keep it simple... the two magic words "Cheese" and "pizza."
So, whenever I make "adult" pizza at home, I try to reserve some dough to make a small cheese pizza for her. At least, it is made with whole wheat, so I don't feel that guilty. But I wished that she would eat something as colorful as this!
And for this pizza, I added colorful bell peppers I got at my local store, mixed it up with some spring onions and finished it off with the wonderful robust flavors from the tandoori paneer. I do not own a tandoor, and I turned to my trusty oven to bake the paneer cubes.
Here goes the recipe.

Tandoori Paneer Pizza



Ingredients:

Whole wheat/Regular pizza dough (Recipe coming up)
Pizza sauce - As required
Paneer - 2 cups cubed into one inch pieces
Red bell pepper -1 small
Green bell pepper -1 small
Yellow bell pepper -1 small
Tandoori spice mix - 1 tbsp
Thick yogurt - 1/2 cup
Salt -To taste
Red chilly powder -1 tsp
Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Cilantro - 2 tbsp chopped
Green onions - A bunch chopped
Part Skim mozzarella cheese - As required (I went really light, so about 1 cup for the entire large pizza)

Method:

Preheat oven to 400F to bake the paneer.

In a bowl combine yogurt, spice mix, cumin, salt, red chilly powder, turmeric, cilantro. Toss in the paneer and let it marinate for about 30 min.
Bake the paneer pieces till they get firm and golden brown on the sides. About 15 min. Keep aside.

Raise the temperature to 450F to bake the pizza.

Spread the pizza dough onto a tray/stone and spread some pizza sauce on it.
Add the peppers and spring onion evenly on the dough and sprinkle some salt over it.



Finally add the paneer and the cheese.
Bake till the crust is brown and the cheese is melted.

Low fat Banana Brownie Pizza - Sensual yet casual

Would like to thank firstly all those people who thought my blog and its content was worthy of awards. Thanks everyone, and will get around to passing it soon.

Care for some dessert pizza with chocolate and bananas?

I have had some questions about whole wheat pastry flour recently, to answer those in short, you can find this is the flour aisle (or the speciality flour aisle) in the grocery store (in the US), or in the bulk section of the health food store. I am not sure about the availability in other countries.
They are a finer and lighter than the regular whole wheat flour, and can be used as healthier substitute for all purpose flour in cakes, cookies and brownies such as these. Sifting the flour gives a airier texture and feel to the end product, though not completely necessary.

Another point to note (like I have already mentioned) when making brownies, is not to use a hand mixer of any kind. Brownies are dense and chewy, unlike the cakes which are lighter. Using a hand mixer will only incorporate air into it which won't make for a perfect brownie.

Bananas in the batter add a light fruity aroma and taste to it, and with chocolate is it just the perfect sensual yet casual dessert pizza one could ask for.



Low fat Banana Brownie Pizza

For the banana brownie layer:

Whole wheat pastry flour - 1 cup
Melted semi sweet chocolate chips - 1/4 cup
Unsweetened cocoa - 1/4 cup
Nonfat dry milk powder - 1/4 cup
Baking soda - 1/4 tsp
Ripe banana - 1 large
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Egg - 1 large
Buttermilk - 1/4 cup
Vanilla extract - 1 tbsp

For topping:

Bananas - Sliced
Heavy whipping cream - Whipped and chilled
Agave nectar - To drizzle

Method:

Preheat oven to 350F.
Grease a round cake tin and set aside.

Mix all the dry ingredients, whole wheat pastry flour, cocoa, milk powder and baking soda in a bowl.

In a food processor, combine banana, melted chocolate chips, sugar, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla till smooth.

Whisk in the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined, do not over mix.

Bake at 350F for 20-25 min or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center. Do not over bake.

Allow to cool completely. Top with whipped cream, and bananas and drizzle a little agave nectar (or honey would work fine too) on top. I added a wee bit of chopped chocolate as well.

Cut into pizza like wedges and indulge.



This goes to Aparna's Sweet celebrations and Mansi's Vegtarian Thanksgiving