Four Cheese Pizza by Tarla Dalal

Four Cheese Pizza,

Four Cheese Pizza

This homemade Four Cheese Pizza poses stiff competition to popular store-bought variants like ‘cheese burst’ and ‘cheese overload’. This pizza is made from the ground up – we are going to make everything from the dough to the base and the toppings ourselves – and that is what gives it a totally fabulous texture and flavour. Herby seasonings add a lot of punch to this cheesy pizza, which is topped with four delectable varieties of cheese and tomatoes. An abundance of cheese also means that this pizza must be enjoyed as soon as it is baked, before the cheese gets chewy, so be ready with your fork and knife! To enhance your pizza meal pair it with a glass of your favourite beverage.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes.
Cooking Time: Nil.
Baking Temperature: 200°C (400°F).
Baking Time: 35 minutes.
Makes 2 pizzas.

6 tbsp cheese spread
½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated yellow cheddar cheese
½ cup grated processed cheese
2 tsp instant dry yeast
1 tbsp sugar
1 cup plain flour (maida)
½ tsp salt to taste
1½ tsp olive oil
Plain flour (maida) for rolling
8 tomato slices
6 basil leaves, torn into pieces
1 tsp dried mixed herbs
2 tsp dry red chilli flakes

1. Combine the yeast, sugar and 2 tbsp of warm water in a bowl and mix well.
2. Cover it with a lid and keep aside for 10 minutes.
3. Combine the plain flour, yeast-sugar mixture, salt and 1 tsp of olive oil in a deep bowl and knead into a soft dough using enough water.
4. Cover the dough with a damp muslin cloth and keep aside for 1 hour.
5. Press the dough lightly to remove the air, add the remaining ½ tsp of olive oil and knead well again.
6. Divide the dough into 2 equal portions.
7. Roll a portion of the dough into a 200 mm. (8”) diameter circle using a little plain flour for rolling.
8. Spread 3 tbsp of cheese spread evenly over it.
9. Fold the sides of the rolled dough inwards by ½” and press it lightly.
10. Sprinkle ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup of yellow cheddar cheese and ¼ cup of processed cheese evenly over it.
11. Place 4 tomato slices, half the basil leaves and finally sprinkle ½ tsp of dried mixed herbs and 1 tsp of chilli flakes evenly over it.
12. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes.
13. Repeat steps 6 to 11 to make 1 more pizza.
Serve immediately

• Category

  Cooking