Polenta Pizza by DK on Nov 25, 2009
Until my marriage, I would have probably had only 2 pizzas! It was like I discovered sensations never before. I loved them but was not addicted as such. Then marriage happened and so did my association with Pizza thanks to it being a common food here in the US of A. I got so smitten that in my first year here I would have easily consumed 30-40 Pizzas.
Then it happened - the unthinkable. It was like my taste buds sort of died out on me when it came to pizzas. Even the smell of them made me run to the other direction. This is what happens when you eat too much of anything. I could go hungry but not touch them. A year of 'hating' pizzas followed. Now I am slowly discovering the taste again. I dont go ga-ga over them still but I like to enjoy them once in a while. I make my own variations at home - variety is the thing to enjoy everything.
But when instances like 'want to eat pizza for dinner today but its too late to make fresh pizza dough' happens, then these kind of Skillet Pizza works perfectly for me. Any kind of topping works and it takes totally about 30 minutes to make this recipe! No hard prep required at all - Quick, easy Pizza for the lazy, I call it. I sure am one.
The nice and light cakey texture of this pizza with a wonderful crusty surface works great and you can get by with minimal cheese. I was little overly miserly - but you sure can add more cheese to your pizza. This recipe is lightly modified from the original 'Polenta pan Pizza' from the cookbook 'Vegetarian' to suit my pantry. Now to the recipe
But when instances like 'want to eat pizza for dinner today but its too late to make fresh pizza dough' happens, then these kind of Skillet Pizza works perfectly for me. Any kind of topping works and it takes totally about 30 minutes to make this recipe! No hard prep required at all - Quick, easy Pizza for the lazy, I call it. I sure am one.
The nice and light cakey texture of this pizza with a wonderful crusty surface works great and you can get by with minimal cheese. I was little overly miserly - but you sure can add more cheese to your pizza. This recipe is lightly modified from the original 'Polenta pan Pizza' from the cookbook 'Vegetarian' to suit my pantry. Now to the recipe - Cook time:
- Prep time:
- Serves: 4 people
Ingredients
- For the Pizza Base
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup fine polenta
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 egg, beaten (optional)
- 2/3 cup milk (make it 1 cup if skipping egg)
- 1/3 cup grated vegetarian parmesan
- 1/2 -1 tsp dried red chili flakes (as per taste)
- For the topping (or choose your own topping)
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- about 2-3 chopped portobello mushrooms
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, crumbled
- 1 tbsp pine nuts,toasted (optional)
- few sprigs fresh oregano leaves for garnish
Method
1.
To make the topping - heat some olive oil in a skillet and add onions. When lightly soft, add the garlic. Cook for another minute. Set aside.
2.
In the same skillet, saute the mushrooms and oregano and cook for about 5 minutes or until tender. Set aside.
3.
Alternatively, make the pizza base. Mix together flour, salt, polenta and the baking powder in a bowl.
4.
Make a hole in the center and add the egg (if using). Gradually add the milk and mix well until it becomes a smooth thick batter. Stir in the parmesan and the chili flakes.
5.
Heat a 10-inch heavy based oven proof pan or iron skillet. Add the olive oil, spread it and heat the pan until v hot. Spoon the batter and spread it evenly. Cook in moderate heat for about 3-4 minutes.
6.
Remove it when the base is set. You can check it by lifting one end of the base using a large spatula. If it comes out easily and looks done, turn it around
7.
Cook for another 2 minutes or until done.
8.
Now spoon the onions,
9.
mushrooms along with the crumbled cheese.
Preheat the broiler to high and then broil the pizza for about 6 minutes or until the cheese has melted. You can even add raw pine nuts on top and broil along with it. Garnish with fresh oregano after removing from the oven.
Cut it into wedges and serve hot. You can serve it with salads, more cheese or simply with some ketchup. Of course you can go for your own choice of dressings.
Cut it into wedges and serve hot. You can serve it with salads, more cheese or simply with some ketchup. Of course you can go for your own choice of dressings.
Filed Under these categories
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- 366 Cuisine
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- 27 Quick Breads
- 7 Spanish/Portuguese
- 113 Wholegrain
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3 Member Reviews
By Sudha on Feb 26, 2012
turned out good..
By Vardhini on Aug 24, 2010
Made this sometime back. It was different from the regular pizza. Did one half with no onions for my 5 yr old and he liked it. Used button mushrooms. Pizza was tasty and filling. Thanks for the recipe.
21 Comments
By Debbie on May 15, 2013
Hello. I have some ready made polenta, and would like to give that a try as the crust. Thoughts? I plan on cooking it in a cast iron skillet.
Thanks!
By Manasi on Dec 2, 2012
I love this idea. Who'd have thunk?!
Bookmarked!
By Nicol on Feb 11, 2012
This looks delish! I am going to try using a gluten-free flour mix and see how it turns out...
By Madhavi on May 5, 2010
I love polenta but polenta pizzaaaaa..5 star for this entry :)
By meenakshi on Mar 2, 2010
reminder when will u post MOMOS recpie? everyday i check ur site with hope to see if u have posted the recpie or not. plz post it soon. thanks and regards
By Jyoti on Feb 24, 2010
Is there a way to make this without white flour? I am trying to make it gluten-free and vegan. Thanks. Love your pictures and website!
By meenakshi on Feb 11, 2010
thanks a lot now waiting for MOMOS recpie please post the recpie soon.thanks and regards
By meenakshi on Feb 6, 2010
hi this is ur new follower Meenakshi who asked is polenta makki ka atta. i made pizza using makki ka atta an d without egg it was marvellous everybody asked for more . my husband who doesnt like pizza much even he appreeciated . the base was soft and it was not as fuffy as urs maybe i .made 4 bases of given measures .thankyou once again for such nice and healthy recpies. one more request can u teach us how to make MOMOS this is north east india recpie .
HI Meenakshi, thank you for the feedback. I am so glad it came out well. I remember getting your mail about 10 days ago and even replied - But it did not go cos of some error with your mail. I will surely post the momos soon :) --DK
By meenakshi on Jan 29, 2010
hi i am living in new delhi and it is really a nice and new experience for me to visit ur site .i cooked moong dal ka halwa and it really turned out delicious now i want to make polenta pizza . does polenta means makki ka atta plz reply me soon as i am very eager to make this pizza
This is a good question and I am researching this for a long time now. Polenta is one variety of yellow cornmeal which is coarsely ground. Each region refers to a different variety of cornmeal as Polenta so its little confusing. I am not sure if using Makki Ka atta would work for this recipe since the flour is finely ground whereas the texture of Polenta is coarse. I think cornmeal is a closer substitute..is it available in India? I think your best bet would be try making this with Makki Ka atta - it might work but the result might be smoother than this recipe above....I will def. update you when I get more info on this. --DK
By Kiran on Dec 1, 2009
I recently saw a recipe for polenta pizza on another site and since have been thinking to try it out. Your version looks very tempting. One quick question is polenta the same as semolina ? :roll:
Thank you Kiran :) Semolina and Polenta are not the same. Semolina is made from durum wheat whereas Polenta is 'cornmeal' which is Corn/Maize based.--DK
By Elizeth on Nov 29, 2009
I'm happy to hear that you're back to enjoying pizza! I can't imagine going a week without one, and I'll be trying out this recipe in the next month.
By Madhuram on Nov 29, 2009
I too have that book and have wanted to try it for quite sometime now. This pizza has a nice rustic look.
By Kodiak on Nov 27, 2009
Oh I tried this yesterday - it was really tasty! Thanks for the recipe, Chef!
By Alka on Nov 27, 2009
Ahh the pizza..as if it wasn't enough for me to see my family going gaga over Dominos pizza..with my kid craving it atleast once a week(and yeah it has to be accompanied with garlic bread and Mayo Dip), here I am subjected to more torture with yet another fabulous pizza staring at me.
By Siri on Nov 27, 2009
Good to see you back in action babes.. :-D ...and the polenta pizza looks soo yummy...very easy breezy too! :wink:
Siri
By Sig on Nov 26, 2009
I am always looking for such quick and easy pizza bases, in fact these are the only kind I make. Making the dough from scratch is too much work for me. I've got to try cornmeal base. BTW, glad you got the site back in action so soon!
Its the bandwidth problem...its been there on and off for past few days! This time our hosts completely shut us off! Still quite a few lose ends here and there! Work in Progress!!!!!! :( -- DK
By Pavani on Nov 26, 2009
Lovely Pics DK.. Quick easy polenta pizza looks delicious. Hope you are having a fun thanksgiving holiday. Enjoy!!
By Priya on Nov 26, 2009
Wat a unique and beautiful pizza, lovely step by step instructions, definitely none will do mistake while preparing..thanks for sharing, looks delicious and yummy DK..
By Sharmila on Nov 25, 2009
You made it from scratch! Wonderful step by step recipe. I too hated pizza due to too much of rubbery cheese ... until I learnt the use of varied veggies and herbs in it. :-)
Love all the snaps. :-)
By Uma on Nov 25, 2009
30-40 pizzas a year is a very small count when compared to me, :) Polenta pizza is a new kind to me. looks so delicious Dhivya.
By Anj on Feb 5, 2014