Onion Capsicum Cheese Pizza

For this post, I'll be sharing my Mom's Onion Capsicum Cheese Pizza recipe which I've slightly twisted & given some of my own punches. For keeping it simple I've used the ready made pizza base. Honestly, when I planned to make this pizza recipe I was so hungry that I didn't have the patience to wait & bake the pizza base. Although I love baking breads & pizza crusts, these ready made crusts really come handy for such hurried situations. 


Pizza - the famous Italian oven baked round flat-bread has been my all time favorite since childhood days. There are so many varieties of pizza, toppings & crusts available today but I opted to share my mom's recipe since she was the one who introduced me to Pizza. My pizza journey started during school days when Mom to break the routine dinner comprising of dal-chawal (rice with lentils curry) roti sabji (vegetable curry) would make Pizza. Using ready made pizza base & simple onion tomato masala, cheese & onion capsicum topping she made these delicious pizzas. With no oven involved, she would simply cook the crust on a flat griddle (Tava) till nice & crispy. We all loved it. Soon I transitioned from mom & became the official Pizza maker for my family by that I mean I would simply do the job of assembling the pizza :)  I still feel that's the best ever Pizza I've had till date which no domino's  pizza hut or any other pizza place can beat is the one my Mom makes. Its delicious, simple with no jazzy or fancy ingredients required.

Ingredients: 
Few ready-made pizza base (Approximately 4 small pizza base)
Some mozzarella cheese
Some dry parsley for ganishing (optional)
Few onion & capsicum (red & green) julienne

For Pizza sauce:
1 bay leaf
1 tsp garlic paste (optional)
1 medium onion finely chopped
4 medium tomatoes finely chopped
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp coriander powder
1 tsp red chilli powder or red chilli flakes (or to taste)
1/2 tsp garam masala (optional)
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
1/2 tsp dry basil leaves
1/2 tsp oregano
salt & pepper to taste
1 tbsp of oil for cooking


Method: 

For Pizza sauce: 

In a pan heat the oil & once hot add the bay leaf followed by onions. Saute till onions turn translucent & then add the garlic paste. Cook till garlic smell disappears.

Then add the tomatoes, cover & cook till they turn soft. Now add turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala & Mix well. Cook for approximately 2 mins till all is well combined.

Add tomato ketchup, basil leaves, oregano, salt & pepper & mix well. Cook for another 2 mins. 

To Assemble the Pizza: 
Preheat your oven to 350F. If you are using a pizza stone (as I did) then place it in the oven to get preheated too. 

Place your ready made pizza base on a plate or flat surface & apply the pizza sauce on it. Spread evenly. Top it with cheese (As much or little as you like). Followed by onion, red & green capsicum slices placing them all evenly. Sprinkle some parsley on top.  Transfer the pizza on the pre-heated pizza stone & bake for 10-15 mins or until done. 

Note: 

• If you are using a pizza stone/plate, follow the instructions listed for your stone for preheating it. 
• You can also cook the pizza base on a flat griddle until crisp. To do that, first apply some butter to the side on which you will be placing your toppings &  roast it till slightly golden. Then flip & place the pizza sauce, cheese & toppings on the golden side & cover & cook on low to medium heat till the crust is golden from below & cheese has melted. 

That's it our Onion Capsicum Cheese Pizza is ready. Slice it & Serve hot!!

Happy Baking!!
Shweta