World Pizza Day 2024: Try these delicious desi pizza recipes to indulge in a sinful burst of flavours

Over the decade, foodies in India have brought on a pizza culture in the country. This dish, which originated in Italy, is relished back home by old and young alike. The classic saucy and cheesy Margherita Pizza has also undergone a massive transformation to please the Indian palate. With a burst of both traditional Indian and Italian flavours, chefs have made it hard for Indian pizza lovers to resist a good desi pizza.

Imagine this: You order a sizzling and fiery Tandoori Chicken/Paneer Pizza. The first bite you take, steaming tandoori chicken/paneer chunks, tandoori masala sauce, and paprika, coupled with oozing molten cheese creates a delectable explosion in your mouth. The taste of this desi pizza is enhanced by the soft and crisp bread. The mere thought of this beautiful blend of flavours salivates the mouth, doesn't it?

From Chicken Tikka to Paneer Makhani Pizza, every desi pizza is loaded with flavours and is satisfying to the core. A few years back, there were hardly any brands serving desi pizzas, however, not only are pizza outlets in the country growing exponentially, but they are always experimenting with their menu to bring fresh desi twists to cater to the taste buds of the patrons.

If you are a sucker for desi pizzas, you are in for a delicious ride. On the occasion of World Pizza Day 2024, we dialled chefs asking for recipes for some succulent desi pizzas that you can try at home.

BBQ Chicken Pizza
Ingredients:
Pizza dough - 200 gm
Homemade BBQ sauce - 50 gm
Homemade tomato sauce - 50 gm
Mozzarella cheese - 100 gm
Cooked shredded chicken - 80 gm
Sliced red onion - 10 gm
Jalapenos - 5 gm
Basil - 1 gm
Parsley - 1 gm
Bell pepper - 5 gm

For the pizza dough:
OO flour - 1 kg
Salt - 20 gm
Olive oil - 60 gm
Yeast - 7 gm
Water - 1200 ml

For tomato sauce:
Tomato peeled 1- kg
Salt - 10 gm
Suger - 5 gm
Basil leaves - 10 gm
Dry oregano - 2 gm
Olive oil - 50 gm
Garlic - 20 gm
Onions - 20 gm

Method:
1. Prepare the pizza dough. Knead it well to make the crust.
2. Spread pizza crust dough with a thin layer of tomato sauce and a bit of BBQ sauce.
3. Now add the cooked shredded chicken in a bowl and mix it with BBQ sauce.
4. Top the pizza with mozzarella cheese, sliced red onion, bell peppers and the BBQ-marinated chicken.
5. Bake the pizza at 176 degrees Celcius for 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and toppings are bubbly.
6. Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot with chilli flakes and dry oregano.

Recipe by Chef Rakesh, Amazonia

Desi Delight Pizza
Ingredients:
Premade pizza crust - 1
Tomato sauce or pizza sauce - 1/2 cup
Shredded mozzarella cheese - 1 cup
Cubed paneer - 1/2 cup
Diced bell peppers (red, green, and yellow) - 1/2 cup
Thinly sliced red onion - 1/4 cup
Sweet corn kernels - 1/4 cup
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
Chilli powder (adjust to taste) - 1/2 tsp
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Olive oil for drizzling

Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 220 degrees Celcius.
2. Roll out the pizza dough onto a baking sheet or pizza pan
3. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
4. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
5. In a small bowl, toss the paneer cubes with garam masala, cumin powder, chilli powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
6. Arrange the seasoned paneer cubes, diced bell peppers, sliced red onions, and sweet corn kernels evenly over the cheese.
7. Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the toppings.
8. Lightly, drizzle olive oil for added added flavour.
9. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
10. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves before serving.

Recipe by Chef Amandeep Singh, executive sous chef, The WESTIN Mumbai Garden City

Chicken Tikka Pizza
Ingredients:
For the pizza dough
Active dry yeast - 2 1/4 tsp
Sugar - 1 tsp
Warm water (43°C) - 3/4 cup
All-purpose flour - 2 cups
Salt - 1 tsp
Olive oil - 1 tbsp

For chicken tikka
Boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into small cubes - 1 cup
Hhung yoghurt -1/2 cup
Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Tikka masala spice blend - 1tbsp
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Vegetable oil - 1 tbsp

For the pizza toppings
San Marzano pizza sauce - 1 cup
Shredded mozzarella cheese - 220 gm
Yellow cheddar cheese - 50 gm
Thinly sliced red onion - 40 gm
Green bell pepper - 40 gm
Green Chillies - 5 gm
Mayonnaise - 2 tbsp
Chicken tikka spice blend - 2 tbsp
Chopped fresh cilantro for garnishing

Method:
To prepare the pizza dough
1. In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about five minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Make a well in the centre and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
3 Mix until the dough comes together, then knead on a floured surface for about five to six minutes until it's smooth and gets an elastic texture.
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about one to two hours, or until it doubles in size.

To prepare the chicken tikka
1. In a bowl, mix yoghurt, ginger-garlic paste, tikka masala spice blend, lemon juice, and salt.
2. Add the chicken cubes to the marinade, coating them well. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight for better flavour.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook the marinated chicken until fully cooked and slightly charred.

To assemble the pizza
1. Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can go, usually around 245-260 degrees Celcius. If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.
2. Take the risen dough and divide it in half. On a floured surface, roll out each portion into a thin round shape.
3. If using a pizza stone, transfer the rolled-out dough onto a piece of parchment paper. If not using a pizza stone, place the dough on a lightly greased baking sheet.
4. Spread a layer of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a crust around the edges.
5. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella over the sauce, followed by the cooked chicken tikka, sliced red onions, and fresh cilantro.
6. If using a pizza stone, carefully transfer the parchment paper with the assembled pizza onto the hot stone. If not using a stone, simply place the baking sheet in the oven.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Spread the tikka mayonnaise in a circular pattern
9 Garnish with coriander

To serve
1. Once the pizza is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
2. Optionally, sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes for some extra heat.
3. Slice, serve, and enjoy your delicious Chicken Tikka Pizza.

Recipe by Chef Rushad Wadia, chef and founder, The Greedyman Pizzeria

Bombay Masala Pizza
Ingredients:
For Bombay masala:
Boiled and mashed medium-sized potatoes - 4
Finely chopped large onion - 1
Finely chopped green chillies - 2-3
Finely chopped fresh ginger - 1 tbsp
Finely chopped peeled garlic - 1 tbsp
Finely chopped fresh coriander - 2 tbsp
Handful of fresh curry leaves
Black mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Cooking oil - 3 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Kashmiri chilli powder - 1 tsp
Kitchen king masala - 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Whole lemon - 1

For pizza:
Pizza dough - 200 gm
Pizza sauce - 100 gm
Pizza cheese mix - 70 gm
Bombay bhaji - 60 gm
Green capsicum - 15 gm
Chopped onion - 15 gm
Chat masala - 1/2 tsp

Method:
For Bombay masala:
1. In a pan, add oil. Once heated, add curry leaves, mustard and cumin seeds. Cook till they splutter.
2. Then add all green chillies, garlic, ginger and chopped onions. Sautee well till the onions turn translucent. Add all the spices and sautee it on medium fame.
3. Once this mixture is ready, add the mashed potatoes and mix it well. Ensure the spices blend well with the potatoes.
4. Add salt and let it cook for over five minutes.
5. Turn off the flame and squeeze in some lemon.
6. Sprinkle some chopped coriander leaves and set it aside.

For assembling the pizza:
1. Preheat your oven according to the instructions on the pizza dough package.
2. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
3. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border around the edges of the crust.
4. Evenly distribute the Bombay bhaji, diced green capsicum, and sliced onions over the pizza.
5. Sprinkle the pizza cheese mix evenly over the toppings.
6. Sprinkle the chat masala over the entire pizza for an extra burst of flavour.
7. Now place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake according to the pizza dough package instructions or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes Slice and serve your delicious Bombay Masala Pizza.

Recipe by, founder, Abhyaraj Singh Kohli, Dough Bros Pizza