Frederic Melton
Making a good veggie pizza without cheese is a great option for those who are vegan or lactose intolerant. While some may argue that pizza without cheese is not pizza, the traditional pizza did not have any cheese. In fact, the oldest pizza served in pizzerias, the Marinara, does not have any cheese and has a topping of tomato, oregano, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and basil. To make a good veggie pizza without cheese, you can use a variety of ingredients such as vegetables (broccoli, radish, onion, bell pepper, carrot, celery, zucchini, mushrooms, olives, artichoke hearts), sauces (tomato sauce, black bean sauce, pesto), and seasonings (red chili flakes, garlic, garlic powder, sea salt, oregano, basil). You can also use vegan alternatives such as vegan parmesan or tofu-based cheese.
Characteristics and Values Table for Veggie Pizza without Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base | Corn meal crust, Thin crust, Whole-wheat crust, Garlic-herb crust, or any other crust of your choice |
| Sauce | Tomato sauce, Black bean sauce, Olive oil, Basil, Garlic, Ketchup, Lemon juice, or any other sauce of your choice |
| Toppings | Broccoli, Radish, Onion, Bell pepper, Carrot, Celery, Mushrooms, Olives, Artichoke hearts, Green pepper, Red and orange peppers, Zucchini, Cherry tomatoes, or any other vegetable of your choice |
| Seasonings | Red chili flakes, Garlic powder, Sea salt, Dill weed, Ranch dressing mix, Pizza seasoning, or any other seasoning of your choice |
| Cheese Alternative | Vegan parmesan, Tofu-based cheese, or any other plant-based cheese of your choice |
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Dough/crust preparation
To make a good veggie pizza without cheese, you'll need to start by preparing the dough for the pizza crust. Here's a detailed guide on how to do that:
Start by activating the yeast: In a small cup or bowl, combine warm water with sugar and yeast. Stir the mixture until both the sugar and yeast are completely dissolved. Leave it to stand for about 5 to 10 minutes or until you see froth forming on top, indicating that the yeast is active. This step is crucial as it ensures that your dough will rise properly.
Next, add the activated yeast mixture to a larger mixing bowl containing the flour. You can use all-purpose flour or experiment with alternatives like whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour for a gluten-free crust. Gradually add water to the mixture and begin kneading. Be cautious while adding water and regularly check the consistency of the dough. The goal is to form a soft, elastic dough that is slightly sticky but manageable. You may not need to use all the water, or you may need to add a bit more, depending on the absorption rate of the flour.
Once the dough comes together, transfer it to a floured surface and continue kneading for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to make this process easier. After kneading, shape the dough into a ball.
Lightly grease or oil a separate bowl and place the dough ball in it. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for about an hour or until it has doubled in size. This process of proofing allows the yeast to work and gives the dough its airy texture.
After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. You can now roll out the dough to form your pizza crust. Use a rolling pin to flatten and shape the dough to your desired thickness and size. If you prefer a thinner crust, stretch the dough gently with your hands or a rolling pin until it reaches the desired thickness.
Finally, transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza pan or baking sheet. You can dust the pan with a light coating of flour, cornmeal, or cornstarch to prevent sticking. If you're using a pizza stone, you may not need any additional flour. Gently lift the rolled-out dough and place it on the pizza stone or baking surface. Now your dough is ready for toppings!
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Choosing toppings
If you want to keep things simple, try using just one or two types of vegetables as your toppings. For example, sliced tomatoes or cherry tomatoes are a great choice, as they are classic pizza toppings and go well with a variety of other ingredients. You could also try using bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant (aubergine) as your main topping, which will add a nice pop of colour to your pizza.
If you want to get more creative, you can combine several different vegetables to create a colourful and flavourful pizza. Some great options for veggie toppings include onions, mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, radishes, celery, cucumber, cauliflower, and peppers (both red and green). You can also add spices and herbs to your toppings to give your pizza even more flavour. Some popular choices include garlic, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, chilli flakes, oregano, basil, and sea salt.
You can also experiment with different types of sauces to use as a base for your toppings. In addition to the traditional tomato sauce, you could try using a cream cheese or sour cream base, which will add a creamy texture and a tangy flavour to your pizza. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try making a blended sauce with ingredients like olive oil, basil, garlic, ketchup, pine nuts, and lemon juice.
Finally, if you're looking for a more substantial topping, you can add some protein to your pizza. Beans, tofu, and nuts are all great vegan sources of protein that can be added to your pizza. For example, you could make a black bean sauce to go with your toppings or sprinkle some pine nuts over your pizza before baking.
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Sauce preparation
To make a good veggie pizza without cheese, you'll need to prepare a sauce that is flavourful and creamy. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a delicious sauce:
Step 1: Choose a Base
The first step in making a pizza sauce is to choose a base. Traditional pizza sauces are often tomato-based, but you can also get creative and experiment with other options. For a creamier sauce, you can use a combination of cream cheese and sour cream as your base. If you prefer a lighter sauce, you can simply use tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes.
Step 2: Add Flavour
The key to making a tasty sauce is to add flavourful ingredients. For a classic marinara sauce, you can add oregano, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and basil. If you're using a cream cheese and sour cream base, you can add garlic powder, dill weed, or ranch dressing mix to give it a tangy flavour. You can also include spices like red chilli flakes or black pepper to add a kick to your sauce.
Step 3: Prepare and Mix Ingredients
Before mixing your sauce, make sure you have prepared all the ingredients. Chop or crush garlic cloves, finely chop herbs like basil and oregano, and measure out the correct amounts of spices and seasonings. If using tomatoes, you can blend them into a smooth puree or crush them by hand for a chunkier texture. Once all your ingredients are ready, simply mix them together. You can use a blender to create a smooth sauce or whisk the ingredients by hand for a more rustic texture.
Step 4: Season and Taste
After mixing your sauce, it's important to season it with salt and pepper to enhance the flavours. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you want a sweeter sauce, you can add a pinch of sugar or a drizzle of honey. If it's too thick, you can thin it out with a little water or olive oil.
Step 5: Simmer and Thicken
For a richer flavour and a thicker consistency, you can simmer your sauce over low heat for about 20 minutes. This step is especially important if you're using a tomato-based sauce as it allows the flavours to meld together and reduces the acidity of the tomatoes. Keep in mind that the sauce will thicken as it simmers, so add small amounts of water as needed to adjust the consistency.
Step 6: Cool and Use
Once your sauce is ready, let it cool to room temperature before using it on your pizza. If you're not using it immediately, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Simply spread the sauce over your pizza dough, add your favourite veggie toppings, and bake your delicious veggie pizza!
Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and adjust the sauce to your taste preferences. You can always add more or less of a particular ingredient to make the sauce truly yours!
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Baking
Once the dough is ready, dust a board with flour and roll it out to a size slightly larger than your pizza tray. You can use a cornmeal crust or a regular gluten-free crust. Then, loosely wrap the dough around a rolling pin to transfer it to the tray. Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 20 minutes.
Preheat your oven to a temperature between 350°F and 500°F, depending on the recipe you are following and the type of crust you are using. For a thinner crust, a higher temperature may be preferable.
If you're making a raw vegetable pizza, this is the point at which you'll add your toppings. For a cooked veggie pizza, you'll first bake the crust alone for about 13 to 17 minutes, until it's golden brown. Then, let it cool before adding your toppings.
For a cheeseless pizza, you can spread a sauce, such as a black bean sauce or a blend of olive oil, basil, garlic, ketchup, pine nuts, and lemon juice, directly onto the crust. Then, add your desired vegetables. You can use raw or sautéed veggies, such as onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant. If you're using raw vegetables, cut them into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
Finally, bake the pizza for about 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the vegetables are cooked to your liking.
And that's it! You now have a delicious veggie pizza without cheese, ready to be enjoyed.
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Serving
Once your veggie pizza is ready, let it cool down for a few minutes before serving. You can cut it into bite-sized squares or slices, depending on the type of pizza you've made. For instance, the crescent veggie pizza is cut into bite-sized squares, while the veggie pizza from Allrecipes is cut into 16 squares.
If you're serving a hot pizza, be sure to serve it immediately after taking it out of the oven. You can also serve it alongside a dip of your choice. Some popular dips to go with pizza include ranch dressing and hot sauce.
If you're serving a cold veggie pizza, you can cut it into slices or squares and serve it as a snack or appetiser. This type of pizza is perfect for parties or game days as it requires no warming.
You can also serve your veggie pizza with a side of your choice. Some options include a salad, garlic bread, or even some extra veggies. If you're serving a vegan pizza, make sure that your sides are also vegan-friendly.
Lastly, don't forget to enjoy your delicious veggie pizza!
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Frequently asked questions
You can use whatever vegetables you like! Some common choices include broccoli, radish, onion, bell pepper, carrot, cucumber, zucchini, celery, mushrooms, and tomatoes.
A creamy base can be made using cream cheese and sour cream, with seasonings like garlic powder, dill weed, and red chilli flakes. You could also try a tomato sauce, pesto, or hummus.
You can use a vegan alternative to parmesan cheese, or a tofu-based "cheese". You could also try a cashew parmesan or pine nuts for a similar texture.
Mix water, yeast, and sugar and let stand for 5-10 minutes until bubbling. Then add flour and blend well. Place the mixture in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and leave to rise in a warm place for around 1 hour.
