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White Spelt Pizza with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

17/11/2023

I can provide you with a recipe to make a delicious White Spelt Pizza with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil. Since this pizza is a bit of a modern and healthy variation compared to classic Italian pizza, there are some ingredients that might not be traditional, but the result will be equally appetizing. This is a simple version that you can customize to your liking.

Ingredients

  • 250 g spelt flour
  • 150 ml lukewarm water
  • 7 g active dry yeast (or 15 g fresh yeast)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 200 g cherry tomatoes
  • 1 bunch fresh basil
  • Coarse salt to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil to taste for seasoning
  • (Optional) Garlic powder or fresh minced
  • (Optional) Mozzarella flakes or other cheese of your choice

Preparation

  1. Start by dissolving the yeast in lukewarm water and let it rest for a few minutes until it starts to foam.

  2. Mix the spelt flour with the salt in a large bowl, make a well in the center and add the oil and the yeast dissolved in water. Use a wooden spoon or your hands to knead until a homogeneous mixture is formed.

  3. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and work it for about 5-10 minutes until you get a smooth and elastic dough.

  4. Form a ball with the dough and transfer it to a lightly oiled bowl, covering it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in volume.

  5. Meanwhile, cut the cherry tomatoes in half and prepare the basil leaves.

  6. When the dough has doubled, roll it out on an oiled baking tray, creating a uniform thickness.

  7. Distribute the cherry tomatoes on the surface, add a pinch of coarse salt and drizzle with a thread of extra virgin olive oil. At this point you could also add garlic and cheese if desired.

  8. Bake in a preheated oven at 220 °C for about 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden and crispy.

  9. Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish it with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Fun Facts

White pizza, without tomato sauce, is a very popular variant in Italy, especially in the city of Rome where it is very common to find it in bakeries for a tasty quick snack. Using spelt flour is a healthy choice, as this grain is rich in nutrients and has a lower glycemic index compared to commonly used wheat flour.