Kamil Perry
Making pizza without cheese is a great option for vegans, people with lactose intolerance, or those trying to reduce their fat or processed food intake. While some people may argue that pizza without cheese is not real pizza, the dish actually originated as a yeast-based flatbread topped with tomatoes, without any cheese. There are many ways to make delicious pizzas without cheese, including using toppings such as grilled vegetables, minced onion, red chilli flakes, garlic, cherry tomatoes, and caramelized onions. For a cheeseless pizza with a creamy base, you can use a white bean spread made from pureed navy beans, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. If you're looking for a more traditional pizza experience, you can also try using dairy-free cheese substitutes.
Characteristics and Values of preparing pizza without cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dough | Can be made with wheat flour, sugar, yeast, salt, water, and flour. |
| Sauce | Can be made with tomato sauce, chilli sauce, chilli flakes, mixed herbs, olive oil, and garlic. |
| Toppings | Can include cherry tomatoes, shiitake mushrooms, caramelized onions, artichokes, tofu, roasted garlic, miso-caramelized onions, shiitake bacon, bell pepper strips, sliced mushrooms, and colourful vegetables. |
| Oven temperature | Preheat the oven to between 180-500 degrees Fahrenheit. |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the dough
Ingredients
Start by gathering the necessary ingredients for the dough. While the specific ingredients may vary depending on the recipe, the basic components include flour, water, yeast, sugar, and salt. You can also add herbs and spices to enhance the flavour of the dough. For a vegan pizza, ensure that all the ingredients are plant-based and free from animal products.
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. Let this mixture rest for about 5 minutes. You will know that the yeast is activated when you see tiny bubbles or a frothy surface forming. This step is crucial as it ensures that the dough will rise properly during proofing.
Mixing and Kneading
In a large mixing bowl, combine the activated yeast mixture with your flour. Start by gradually adding the yeast mixture to the flour, mixing and kneading as you go. You can do this by hand or using a stand mixer if you prefer. Gradually add water to the mixture, continuing to knead until a smooth, pliable dough forms. Be careful not to add too much water, as this can result in a sticky and difficult-to-handle dough. The dough should be well-balanced and easy to work with.
Proofing the Dough
Once you have a smooth dough, it's time to let it proof. This step allows the gluten in the flour to relax and the yeast to work, creating a more tender and flavourful dough. Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rest in a warm place for at least 20 minutes. You can also let the dough proof in the refrigerator overnight, which will enhance its flavour and texture even further.
Shaping the Dough
After the dough has proofed, it's time to shape it into a pizza base. Dust your work surface and a rolling pin with flour to prevent the dough from sticking. Roll out the dough to a size slightly larger than your pizza tray or stone. Carefully transfer the dough to the tray or stone, either by draping it over a rolling pin or by gently stretching and laying it down.
Final Proofing and Baking
Before adding any toppings, let the dough proof one more time. Cover it with a cloth and let it rest in a warm place for about 2 hours. This final proofing ensures that the dough will be light and airy after baking. Preheat your oven to a temperature between 180°C and 450°C, depending on your recipe and oven. The higher the temperature, the crispier the crust will be.
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Choosing toppings
Vegetables: Sautéed or grilled vegetables can add colour, flavour, and texture to your pizza. Some options include onion strips, bell pepper strips, sliced mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and summer squash. You can also get creative with vegetable-based toppings like artichoke tofu ricotta, which can be used as a spread or dip. If you want to add some spice, include chilli peppers or red chilli flakes.
Fruits: Tomatoes are a classic pizza topping and can be used alone or in combination with other ingredients. Try using halved cherry tomatoes, cut side up, or beefsteak tomatoes for a juicy, summery flavour. You could also experiment with other fruits like anchovies, which can add a unique twist to your pizza.
Proteins: If you're looking for a more substantial topping, try including some protein sources such as tofu, tempeh, or beans. For example, navy beans can be blended into a creamy base for your pizza or added whole as a topping. If you're not vegan or vegetarian, you could add meats like turkey sausage, chicken, shrimp, or meatballs.
Herbs and Spices: Don't be afraid to experiment with herbs and spices to add flavour and aroma to your pizza. You can try using dried herbs, paprika, sea salt, black pepper, or garlic. Caramelised onions can also add a depth of flavour to your pizza.
Other Toppings: There are also some other unique toppings you can experiment with, such as capers, black olives, or even eggs. If you're feeling adventurous, you could try a curry-based pizza with chickpeas or chicken, or a BBQ sauce pizza with red onion and your choice of protein.
Remember, when choosing toppings for a pizza without cheese, the key is to be creative and experiment with different flavours and textures. You might be surprised at how delicious a cheese-less pizza can be!
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Making a white sauce
Making a pizza without cheese is a great way to save some money and still enjoy a delicious, flavourful meal. The key to a good cheeseless pizza is in the sauce, crust and toppings.
First, gather your ingredients: butter, olive oil, onion, garlic, flour, milk, Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. You will also need a small saucepan and a whisk.
Begin by melting the butter and olive oil in the saucepan over medium heat. Add in the onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant and tender, about 2-3 minutes. Then, whisk in the flour and continue whisking for 1-2 minutes, until lightly browned. Be careful not to burn the flour.
Next, slowly add the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Keep whisking until the mixture is smooth, thickened, and bubbly. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Add the Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper, and whisk for another 30 seconds to a minute, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is slightly thickened.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more milk to thin it out. Once you are happy with the consistency and flavour, remove it from the heat and set it aside to cool. The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Now that you have your white sauce, you can assemble your pizza. Start by preheating your oven to a temperature between 180-350 degrees Celsius, depending on your oven and the type of crust you are using.
If you are making your own dough, you will need to activate the yeast by combining warm water with sugar and yeast, stirring until dissolved. Let this mixture rest for about 5 minutes, or until you see tiny bubbles or a frothy surface. Then, in a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture with flour and gradually add water, kneading until a smooth, pliable dough forms.
Dust your work surface with flour and roll the dough out to your desired size and thickness. Place the dough on a baking sheet or pizza tray and spread the white sauce evenly on top, adding your desired toppings.
For a vegan pizza, try toppings such as sautéed onion strips, bell pepper strips, sliced mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or minced onion. If you are not vegan, you can also add meats such as chicken, bacon, or pepperoni.
Bake your pizza according to the dough instructions, usually for about 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the toppings are cooked. Enjoy your homemade, cheesy-free pizza!
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Using a pizza stone
Preparation:
Firstly, ensure your pizza dough is at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before shaping it. You can make your own dough, which is a simple process, or buy pre-made dough. If you are making a cheese-free pizza, you may want to add extra herbs and spices to your dough for added flavour.
Sauce and Toppings:
Once your dough is ready, you can add your sauce. Be careful not to add too much sauce to avoid it leaking through the crust, which can cause it to stick to the peel and make it difficult to slide onto the pizza stone. You can make your own sauce by blending tomatoes with garlic, chilli flakes, salt, dried Italian herbs, basil and olive oil. Alternatively, you can use a store-bought pizza sauce.
After adding the sauce, you can get creative with your toppings. If you are not using cheese, try adding extra vegetables, herbs, spices, or even fruit like pineapple. You can also experiment with different types of meat, just be sure to cook or cure it beforehand to avoid consuming raw meat.
Baking:
Preheat your oven to a high temperature, ideally between 475-550°F. Place your pizza stone in the oven to heat up as well. It is important to ensure your pizza peel or pan is dry to prevent the dough from sticking when you transfer it to the pizza stone. You can use a wooden pizza peel, or a sheet pan dusted with cornmeal, to assemble your pizza.
Once your oven and pizza stone are preheated, it's time to slide the pizza onto the stone. Be careful not to spill any sauce or toppings, and jiggle the pizza gently if needed to loosen it from the peel. Bake your pizza for 10-15 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. The pizza is done when the crust is browned and the toppings are cooked to your liking.
Serving:
Remove the pizza from the oven using the peel or a baking sheet, being careful not to spill any toppings. Slide the pizza onto a dish or cutting board and let it cool for a moment before serving. Cut the pizza into slices and enjoy the fruits of your labour!
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Baking the pizza
Once you've prepared your dough, sauce, and chosen your toppings, it's time to assemble and bake your pizza. Start by preheating your oven to a high temperature, somewhere between 350-500 F. While the oven is preheating, you can assemble your pizza. First, stretch your dough out to a size slightly larger than your pizza tray, aiming for a thin crust. You can use a rolling pin to help you get an even crust. Dust your surface and rolling pin with flour to prevent the dough from sticking.
Next, transfer the dough to the pizza tray. You can do this by loosely wrapping the dough around the rolling pin and then placing it on the tray. Alternatively, you can build your pizza directly on a cast-iron skillet or a pizza stone and place it directly in the oven. Once your dough is on the tray, spread your desired sauce over it, leaving a margin around the edge for the crust. If you're making a white pizza, you can use a bean-based spread made from pureed navy beans, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic as a creamy, cheese-like base. For a red pizza, you can use a simple tomato sauce, spiced up with chilli sauce, chilli flakes, and mixed herbs.
Now it's time to add your toppings. For a simple, classic pizza, top with halved cherry tomatoes, cut-side up, and bake. If you want to get more creative, try using caramelized onions, chilli peppers, shiitake mushrooms, minced garlic, black olives, capers, or anchovies. You can also add meat toppings like pepperoni, chicken, shrimp, or turkey sausage. If you want to include vegetables, it's a good idea to sauté them until they're half-cooked before adding them to your pizza to ensure they're cooked through when your pizza is done.
Finally, place your assembled pizza in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and your toppings are cooked to your liking. Enjoy your homemade, cheese-free pizza!
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Frequently asked questions
Some pizza toppings that can be used as substitutes for cheese include grilled vegetables, cherry tomatoes, caramelized onions, minced onion, red chilli flakes, garlic, black olives, capers, and anchovies.
Some sauces that can be used as substitutes for cheese include tomato sauce, white bean spread, and olive oil mixed with crushed garlic.
To make a no-cheese pizza dough, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small cup. Stir until the yeast and sugar are completely dissolved. Allow the mixture to rest for about 5 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, bring together the yeast mixture and your flour. Gradually add water, kneading patiently as the ingredients transform into a smooth, pliable dough. Dust a board with flour and roll the dough out to be slightly larger than the size of the pizza tray.
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