Quinoa Pizza

An alternative pizza dough during the Covid-19 times when flour suddenly became essential and out of stock. If you got quinoa in your pantry this is your solution, or if you want to go high protein and low carb anyway.

• 1 cup quinoa (200 grams)
• ¹/₂ cup water (100 grams)
• ¹/₂ teaspoon salt
• ¹/₂ teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Of course you can take quinoa flour instead of quinoa seeds:

The toppings should be:

• crème fraîche (2 tablespoons)
• mozzarella (1 unit)
• spring onion, 1 tomato and whatever you like.

Put 1 cup of quinoa seeds in a container that you can use with a hand blender, add a half cup of water and let it soak for 6 to 8 hours. Alternatively if you don't have time for preparation cook the quinoa with 250ml of water. Preheat your stove to 200°C (400°F).

Add the ¹/₂ spoon of baking powder.

Add the ¹/₂ spoon of salt.

Add the 2 tablespoons olive oil.

Take a pizza plate or baking tray and either grease it or use parchment paper.

If you have a taco-press then now it's the time to shine, otherwise place the dough on the parchment paper.

If you soaked the mix for more than 8 hours you might have to add some more olive oil.

Put some plastic wrap over the dough and spread it in the pan.

Using a roll helps.

Level the margin a bit higher and the inner part a bit lower to achieve a cornicione, a margin of a pizza.

Since the quinoa pizza will have the consistency of a taco, it is a good idea to create predetermined breaking points in the dough with a ruler.

Bake the pizza dough for 10 minutes. Take it out and carefully flip it and then bake it for another 5 minutes. If you leveled the dough as I explained before, the edge will not dry out too early since it gets heat from 3 sides. Watch the dough carefully and add time if you think it is too wet.

Pizzaiola is the tomato sauce on the pizza, but I would recommend to use crème fraîche. Otherwise the dough might be too wet in some places and too dry in others. Since the quinoa pizza is hot, it helps to spread out the crème fraîche easily.

Add vegetables and spring onions.

Spread the mozzarella cheese on top.

And then bake for another 8 to 10 minutes.

When the pizza is ready take it out of the stove.

Add some pepper (pepper burns when baking).

And instead of oregano sprinkle some sproutlings on top.

Enjoy your meal!