Healthy pizzas anyone?

It's not everyday that you get to pamper your tastebuds minus the guilt. So, when you hear about fat-busting pizzas you are bound to be skeptical about whether it will taste as good the real thing. While it's hard to replicate the taste of calorie laden pizzas that are people who have managed to do just that giving pizza lovers a reason to smile.

Call it the diet pizza?
To bring down the fat and calorie content of the pizza, Musclefood.com an online portal based abroad replaced traditional bread flour dough base with pea protein powder. The pie was created by the company after it noticed a demand for them among those following a strict calorie controlled diet. The best part - it claims to be a fat-busting, super high-protein food which, at just 73 calories and 2.5 gms of fat per slice, has less than half that of takeaway versions which can often contain over 500 calories. With a base made from peas, the £4.95 pizza has the same amount of protein as three chicken breasts, and five times less carbohydrates than High Street pizza brands. The gluten and soy-free pie comes in two different toppings, Chicken and Pepper, and Ham and Mushroom, with the pea protein base adding approximately 10 gms of protein to the pizza. The idea of a healthy pizza definitely has some takers as these eateries in the city found out. We tell you where you can grab a bite.

Lavash Pizza Exotica at Pishu's
Calorie count 300 calories
This pizza is a weight watcher's dream come true. Made with whole wheat multigrain base using flax seeds, sunflower seeds and sesame, it's topped with herbs and grated cheese and is a delicious mouthful for Rs 130, for a six inch pizza.
At Pishu's, shop no 8, New Shantivan Bldg, Behind Laxmi Ind Estate, Oberoi Complex Road, Sab TV Lane, Andheri (W). Call 9833382021

Make your own pizza at Baresti
Fancy making your own pizza with toppings of your choice? Well you can do that and opt for a oatmeal base substituting cheese with paneer or tofu and adding some more veggies and herbs, for a healthy twist. You can also try a pizza with an oat base topped with cheese, bell pepper and onions, which will set you back by 270 calories or opt for a vegan pizza made of organic flour with cherry tomatoes and other veggies, topped with green chillies and tofu for 370 calories. ?The price of the pizza would be Rs 495 for veg and Rs. 595 for a non-veg pizza, plus taxes?.
AT: Baraesti is 505, 5th Floor, Konark Shram, Behind Everest Building, Tardeo

Bake a pizza at home
Thin Crust Pizza

For dough

Ingredients:
1 cup warm water
1 ½ tsp active dry yeast
1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional)
1 cup flour
2 cups nachni flour
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon olive oil (plus extra for greasing bowl)

Method
In a measuring cup, place warm water. The water should be warm to the touch but not too hot (water that is too hot will kill the yeast; and water that is too cold will not activate it). Sprinkle the yeast into the water, add sugar and flour and stir gently until both ingredients dissolve (about 1 minute). Let stand for 15 minutes, until it rises. Add nachni flour allow to ferment for one hour.

For pizza

Ingredients
Pizza dough as required
Fresh tomato puree as required
½ cup onion slices
3 tsp chopped celery
1 tbsp tomato
2 tsp mushrooms
¼ cup crumbled soft tofu
11 - 12 basil leaves
½ cup red, yellow and green bell pepper juliennes
Salt to taste
Crushed black pepper to taste
1tsp olive oil

For garnish
4 - 5 basil leaves
4 - 5 coriander leaves

Method
Make a thin base with the pizza dough. Pre heat the oven at 180 degree Celsius and place the pizza base on a baking dish. Bake for 3 – 4 mins. Once baked, slightly cool and spread tomato puree on the base. Add onion slices, chopped celery, chopped tomato, mushrooms and add crumbled tofu on it. Add basil leaves, red, yellow and green bell pepper juliennes and the leftover chopped celery. Grate some more crumbled tofu and add salt and crushed black pepper. Bake the pizza at 200 degree Celsius in an oven for 10 – 15 minutess. Once baked, remove from the oven and brush olive oil on it. Cut the pizza into 6 parts and serve it on a flat pan. Garnish with basil leaves and coriander leaves.