Tiffany Haney
Yes, you can put paneer on pizza! In fact, paneer pizza is a popular dish, especially in India, and is often made at home. It's a fusion of Indian and Italian flavours, with Indian cottage cheese (paneer) as the star ingredient, along with vegetables and cheese. The pizza typically includes spices such as garam masala, chilli powder, and turmeric, and can be baked in an oven or cooked on a tawa or skillet. Paneer pizza is versatile, and you can experiment with different toppings and bases to suit your taste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ingredient | Paneer |
| Type of dish | Indian twist on an Italian dish |
| Type of pizza | Tikka pizza |
| Base | Wheat flour, white flour, or gluten-free |
| Toppings | Mushrooms, onions, capsicum, bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, corn, soya, chicken, aloo, or any vegetables of your choice |
| Cheese | Mozzarella, processed cheese, or vegan cheese |
| Marinade | Ginger, garlic, red chilli powder, paprika powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, curry powder, salt, black salt, thick yogurt, lemon juice, mustard oil, kasoori methi, olive oil, or any pizza spice mix |
| Baking temperature | 425–500°F |
| Baking time | 5–7 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Marinating paneer before adding to pizza
Yes, you can put paneer on pizza! In fact, it's a popular topping for Indian-style pizzas, often referred to as paneer pizza. This type of pizza combines Indian and Italian flavours, with Indian cottage cheese (paneer) as the star ingredient.
Paneer is a type of Indian cottage cheese that is firm and cubed. It has very little taste of its own, so it's a good idea to marinate it before adding it to your pizza. By marinating the paneer, you allow it to absorb the flavours of the marinade, preventing it from drying out and becoming dense during baking.
There are various ways to marinate paneer, but a common method is to use spices, curd or yoghurt, and herbs. Here are some steps you can follow to marinate your paneer before adding it to your pizza:
Step 1: Prepare the Paneer
Start by cutting the paneer into small, evenly sized cubes. This will ensure that the paneer cooks evenly and is easier to eat when on the pizza.
Step 2: Create the Marinade
In a bowl, combine finely chopped or crushed ginger and garlic with your choice of spices. Common spices used in Indian cooking include red chilli powder, paprika powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, curry powder, salt, and black salt. You can adjust the amount of each spice to suit your taste preferences.
Next, add thick yoghurt or curd and mix well. The yoghurt or curd will help to tenderise the paneer and create a creamy texture. If you want to add some tanginess, you can also include lemon juice or buttermilk. Additionally, you can include herbs such as kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves) and fresh or dried fenugreek leaves for extra flavour.
Step 3: Combine and Marinate
Gently mix the paneer cubes with the marinade until they are well coated. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator. For best results, let the paneer marinate for at least 20-30 minutes, or even overnight. The longer it sits, the more flavour the paneer will absorb.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Pizza
After your paneer has finished marinating, it's time to assemble your pizza. Roll out your pizza dough and place it on a greased baking tray. Spread the marinated paneer mixture over the dough, leaving some space around the edges for the crust.
Top the pizza with shredded mozzarella cheese or any other cheese of your choice. You can also add other toppings like onions, bell peppers, or jalapenos.
Bake the pizza in a preheated oven at a high temperature (around 500°F or the maximum temperature) for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven, slice it into wedges, and serve immediately. Enjoy the delicious combination of flavours from the marinated paneer and the melted cheese!
Tips:
- If you want to add a crispy texture to the paneer without using too much oil, you can cook the marinated paneer cubes in a pan before adding them to your pizza.
- Soaking the paneer in warm water before marinating can make it softer and more absorbent.
- If you're using store-bought paneer, it's especially important to marinate it to enhance its flavour.
- If you have any leftover marinated paneer, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or freeze it for up to two months.
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Using leftover paneer makhani as a topping
Paneer pizza is a delicious fusion recipe with an Indian cottage cheese (paneer) topping and a mix of Indian and Italian flavours. It is a great way to use up leftover paneer, especially when mixed with a curry sauce like paneer makhani.
To make a pizza using leftover paneer makhani, you can follow these steps:
Prepare the pizza base:
You can use a store-bought pizza base or make your own. For a more authentic Indian flavour, you could use naan, garlic naan, pita bread, or another type of flatbread. If you want to make your own dough, you will need flour (ideally whole wheat flour), yeast, sugar, salt, and lukewarm water. You can also add olive oil for a better crust. Mix the ingredients and knead the dough until it is smooth and soft. Cover the dough and let it rest for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 days in the fridge.
Prepare the toppings:
Leftover paneer makhani can be used as a pizza topping. You can also marinate the paneer before adding it to the pizza. To do this, cut the paneer into cubes and mix with ginger, garlic, onion, and spices such as red chilli powder, paprika powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, and curry powder. You can also add thick yoghurt to the mixture. Leave the mixture in the refrigerator for at least one hour, or overnight for more flavour.
Assemble and bake the pizza:
Roll out the dough into a thin base, about ¼ to ⅓ inches thick. Place it on a baking tray or pizza stone and spread the makhani sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a border around the edges. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then add the marinated paneer cubes and any other desired toppings, such as sliced onions, bell peppers, or jalapenos. Drizzle with olive oil or butter, and bake in the oven at the highest temperature (ideally 500-550F) for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.
This pizza is a great way to use up leftover paneer makhani and create a delicious fusion dish that combines Indian and Italian flavours.
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Making paneer pizza on a skillet/griddle/tawa
Paneer pizza is a delicious Indian-style pizza with a twist, fusing Indian and Italian flavours. It is a great option if you don't have an oven, as it can be made on a skillet/griddle/tawa. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a mouth-watering paneer pizza on a skillet/griddle/tawa.
Ingredients:
- Firm paneer cut into cubes
- Ginger and garlic paste
- Herbs and seasonings (kasoori methi, Kashmiri chilli powder, salt, turmeric, garam masala, and coriander powder)
- Olive oil
- Marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Spices (Indian-inspired such as garam masala, kasuri methi, and Italian seasoning, and red chilli flakes are optional)
- Butter or oil
- Onion
- Salt to season the pizza base
- Sugar to activate the yeast
- Lukewarm water
- Olive oil for the crust
- Any vegetables of your choice (onion, bell pepper, capsicum, etc.)
- Mozzarella or any other cheese of your choice
- Flour (whole wheat, bread, or all-purpose)
Method:
Start by preparing the dough. Mix 1 teaspoon of instant yeast, ½ teaspoon of sugar, and lukewarm water in a mixing bowl. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice or buttermilk/fresh curd (yogurt) if you don't have lemon juice. Knead the dough until it is smooth, soft, and supple. You can do this by hand or use a stand mixer.
Next, prepare the paneer marinade. Cut the paneer into small cubes and add finely chopped or grated garlic, ginger, cubed onions, and any other vegetables you wish to include. Add the dry spices (chilli powder, paprika powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, and curry powder), regular salt, and black salt. Mix in thick yogurt and combine everything well. Cover and refrigerate this mixture for at least one hour, preferably overnight, to allow the paneer to absorb the flavours.
Now, prepare your skillet/griddle/tawa. Grease it with a few drops of oil and place it on low heat. Roll out your pizza dough into a circle that is neither too thin nor too thick, about ¼ to ⅓ inches thick for a medium crust. Place the dough on the skillet/griddle/tawa and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, covering with a lid if your base is thick. Transfer the partially cooked base to a working place.
Spread a tablespoon of marinara sauce evenly on the partially cooked base. Top with grated cheese, followed by the marinated paneer mixture. Cover and cook until the cheese melts.
Your paneer pizza is now ready to be devoured! Enjoy the delicious fusion of flavours and the soft, juicy paneer cubes.
Feel free to experiment with different vegetables and spices to create your own unique paneer pizza. You can also use leftover paneer makhani (paneer butter masala) as a topping or swap out the pizza base with Naan or pita bread for a quicker option.
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Making the pizza dough ahead of time
Making pizza dough ahead of time is a great way to save time and effort when preparing a pizza. Here is a detailed guide on how to make and store pizza dough in advance:
Ingredients
To make pizza dough, you will need the following basic ingredients:
- Flour
- Salt
- Olive oil
- Yeast
- Water
You can also add sugar and other seasonings to enhance the flavour and texture of the dough.
Preparation
Start by combining the flour, yeast, and salt in a mixing bowl or a tray. With a mixer running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until it is well combined with the dry ingredients. Gradually add lukewarm water to form a soft and supple dough.
Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This can be done by hand or with a stand mixer. If you are making the dough ahead of time, it is essential to knead it well to develop the gluten and create a more flavourful and airy crust.
Storage
Once the dough is prepared, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days if kept cold. Place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying.
For longer storage, the dough can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. To freeze, divide the dough into individual portions, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and store them in the freezer.
Tips
- The longer the dough rests, the more flavour it will develop. Aim to prepare the dough at least 24 hours in advance for the best results.
- When ready to use the dough, remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before shaping and adding toppings.
- For added flavour and a complex crust, let the dough rise, punch it down, form it into a ball, and keep it in the fridge for 24-72 hours before making the pizza.
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Using a store-bought pizza base
If you want to make a paneer pizza using a store-bought pizza base, you can follow the below steps:
Firstly, it is recommended to marinate the paneer before adding it to your pizza. This is because paneer has a fairly bland flavour on its own, so marinating it will allow it to absorb the flavours of the marinade. To make a marinade, you can use a combination of ginger and garlic paste, herbs and seasonings (such as kasoori methi, Kashmiri chilli powder, salt, turmeric, garam masala, and coriander powder), olive oil, and yoghurt. You can also add vegetables to your marinade, such as onions, capsicum, and bell peppers. Mix your chosen ingredients together with the paneer, cover, and leave to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, or up to overnight.
Once your paneer is marinated, you can assemble your pizza. If you want to bake your pizza in the oven, preheat it to a high temperature (at least 180 degrees Celsius, up to 250 degrees Celsius). Place your store-bought pizza base on a baking tray. Poke the base with a fork all over to prevent it from puffing up in the oven. Spread your marinated paneer mixture over the base, and top with shredded mozzarella cheese or a combination of mozzarella and processed cheese. You can also add other toppings, such as sliced tomatoes, mushrooms, or zucchini.
Bake your pizza until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the crust is golden. This should take around 5-8 minutes, depending on your oven temperature. If baking just the base, the temperature can be lower (around 150 degrees Celsius), but if baking both the base and toppings, a higher temperature is recommended (around 200 degrees Celsius).
Alternatively, you can cook your pizza on a tawa or in a pan. Grease your tawa or pan, place your pizza on top, cover, and cook until the cheese melts.
Your paneer pizza is now ready to be served!
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