MEDITERRANEAN SPELT PIZZA
Mediterranean spelt pizza.
A few years ago, I made the switch to a healthier pizza alternative - pizza base made with spelt flour and topped with a variety of seasonal, Mediterranean style vegetables. While we still enjoy the occasional pizza delivery, making our own home made pizza was a way to use ingredients that were more gut friendly, and to increase my children’s awareness of eating a variety of vegetables.
This spelt pizza has become a family favourite, we either make 2 large sheet pan pizzas or 2 trays of mini pizzas, depending on what vegetable or fruit toppings everyone chooses. It’s great fun to make with kids. Give it a go!
Mediterranean pizza toppings ingredients:
baby spinach
capers
cheese: feta, halloumi, mozzarella
fresh figs
garlic
herbs such as thyme, oregano and basil
Kalamata olives
marinated artichokes
mushrooms
roasted red peppers or fresh bell peppers
sun-dried tomatoes
MEDITERRANEAN SPELT PIZZA
Makes 2 large thin crust pizzas
500g spelt flour
350ml lukewarm water
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1 teaspoon coconut sugar
1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Toppings
2/3 cup tomato and basil sauce (or make your own here)
200g grated organic mild cheddar or mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups toppings of your choice
1-2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves
To make the dough, place the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl and make a hole in the centre. Dissolve the yeast and sugar in water and leave for about 10 minutes till it bubbles on top. Add the yeast mixture to the flour, with the olive oil. Mix together until a soft pliable dough forms. Add extra flour if the dough is sticky. Place the dough into a floured bowl and cover with a thick tea towel. Leave in a warm place for 40 minutes to 1 hour to rise.
Preheat the oven to 220 degrees C. Place the oven rack in the middle shelf and line two large baking sheets with baking paper.
Divide the dough into two balls and roll out each one to fit your baking trays. Top each pizza base with tomato sauce, cheese, toppings of your choice and torn basil leaves
Bake in a hot oven for about 15 minutes, or until the pizza crust is crispy on the side and golden on top.