Vegan pizza

Lenten pizza with fresh vegetables and tofu cheese

Get ready to indulge your taste buds with a delicious pizza, perfect for fasting days or anyone looking for a healthy meal full of flavors and varied textures. This simple Lenten pizza recipe combines natural and healthy ingredients to create a savory dish that can be customized according to your preferences. I will guide you step by step through this process, so you can achieve a perfect pizza every time.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

- 300 g flour
- 100 ml olive oil (or other vegetable oil)
- ½ cube of fresh yeast (about 20 g)
- ½ cup lukewarm water (about 125 ml)
- Salt (to taste)
- 3 ripe fresh tomatoes
- 200 g tofu cheese
- 200 g fresh mushrooms
- 100 g corn kernels (canned or freshly boiled)
- 10 g dried or fresh thyme
- Optional: additional spices like oregano or basil

Step by step:

1. Preparing the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour with salt to add flavor. In another container, dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water, stirring gently to activate it. Add the olive oil, then pour the liquid mixture over the flour, mixing with a spatula or your hands until you achieve a homogeneous dough. There is no need to let the dough rise, making this recipe quick and efficient.

2. Forming the pizza base: On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough with a rolling pin until you get a thin sheet, about 5 mm thick. Transfer the dough to a baking tray lined with parchment paper, ensuring it fits well in the corners. You can use a medium-sized tray or even a pizza tray, depending on your preference.

3. Preparing the toppings: Wash the tomatoes and slice them thinly. Clean the mushrooms and slice them. If using canned corn, drain it well. Tear the tofu cheese into smaller pieces or cut it into cubes. These ingredients will add pleasant texture and flavor to the pizza.

4. Assembling the pizza: Evenly distribute the tomato slices over the rolled-out dough. Then, add the mushroom slices, corn, and tofu cheese. Sprinkle thyme and salt to taste, and if desired, add other preferred spices like oregano or basil.

5. Baking the pizza: Preheat the oven to 200°C. Place the pizza tray in the oven and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the dough turns golden and crispy, and the vegetables are cooked. Check periodically to avoid burning.

6. Serving: Once the pizza is ready, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before cutting it. You can serve the pizza with a fresh green salad or a plant-based yogurt sauce for a delicious contrast.

Tips and tricks:

- Flour: You can experiment with different types of flour, such as whole wheat or spelt flour, to add extra fiber and nutrients.
- Tofu cheese: If you're not a fan of tofu cheese, you can replace it with vegan cheese or a mix of nuts and nutritional yeast for a similar taste.
- Vegetables: This recipe is extremely versatile! You can add other favorite vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or olives, according to your personal taste.
- Variations: Try adding tomato sauce or pesto as a base on the dough before adding the vegetables for an extra flavor boost.

Nutritional benefits:

This Lenten pizza is rich in fiber due to the flour and fresh vegetables, and the tofu cheese provides plant-based protein, making it an excellent choice for a balanced diet. It also contains plenty of essential vitamins and minerals, contributing to a healthy lifestyle.

In conclusion, this Lenten pizza recipe is not only easy to prepare but also extremely tasty and healthy. You can adapt it according to your preferences, and the result will always be delicious. I encourage everyone to experiment and enjoy every bite! Enjoy your meal!