Pizza is generally considered as an unhealthy food option. We do hesitate to give it to kids because of the large amount of carbohydrate and fat which the  ingredients provide. But what if we change the refined white flour to whole wheat flour, the bottled sauce to home-made tomato sauce made from scratch and top it with goodness of all fresh vegetables and herbs.

Here's my attempt to make a healthy pizza of the otherwise infamous unhealthy food option.

• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 envelope  instant yeast
• 2¾ cups regular whole wheat flour
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

For the Pizza Sauce

• 2 ripe tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon fresh- basil chopped
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 pinch Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt

Toppings:

• 1 Onion
• 1 Red Pepper
• 1 Orange Pepper
• 1 Jalapeno
• Dried Oregano leaves
• 2 -3 torn basil

Preparations: 

For the puree:

In a food processor, combine the tomatoes, garlic, basil, cinnamon, salt, pepper, sugar, oregano, oil and parsley. Blend without adding water- should remain a little chunky.

For the dough:

• In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water. Sprinkle yeast over the top, and let stand for about 5-7 minutes
• Stir the olive oil and salt into the yeast mixture, then mix in the whole wheat flour. Knead loosely and then add parmesan cheese and knead until the dough becomes smooth. Oil the dough and keep it in a warm place for 45 minutes.
• When the dough is doubled, tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and divide into 2 pieces for 2 thin crust.
• Preheat the oven to 450 F. Keep the pizza base lined with olive oil at the surface in the oven for 5-7 mins 
• Once the base is baked for 5-7 mins spoon the puree on it spreading it evenly. Top it with vegetables of your choice or the ones used here in any pattern you desire.
• Grate fresh Mozarella cheese on the top together with some dried oregano leaves, torn basil leaves and paprika(optional)
• Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the crust is crisp and golden at the edges, and cheese is melted on the top

This version was a hit at home, specially the tomato sauce. It had a very fresh and distinct flavor that enhanced the whole wheat parmesan base. Hope you will enjoy baking it with no regrets as it is loaded with the goodness of fibre from whole wheat and no sodium from those readymade pizza sauces.

Enjoy what you eat!

Have an great week ahead.

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