How To Make Valentino Rahim’s Tricolour Millet Pizza At Home For PM Modi’s Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday has often inspired culinary tributes across India, where chefs and home cooks celebrate the occasion with dishes that carry a sense of patriotism. Among the more unique creations is a tricolour millet pizza designed by Valentino Rahim, an Italian chef who has lived in India for several years and has developed a deep appreciation for the country’s local grains. He first presented this pizza as a way to honour the Prime Minister’s strong emphasis on traditional Indian food heritage, particularly millets, which have been highlighted on international platforms during India’s G20 presidency.

The tricolour theme adds a patriotic element to the pizza, using ingredients that naturally display the saffron, white, and green colours of the national flag. This makes the dish festive, symbolic, and suitable for both family meals and special occasions such as the Prime Minister’s birthday. By preparing this pizza at home, you engage with both a culinary innovation and a gesture of cultural celebration.

Recipe: Tricolour Millet Pizza

Ingredients For The Base

1. One cup of ragi flour
2. Half cup of foxtail millet flour
3. Half cup of whole wheat flour
4. One teaspoon of instant yeast
5. One teaspoon of sugar
6. Half teaspoon of salt
7. Two tablespoons of olive oil
8. Warm water as required for kneading

Ingredients For The Toppings

1. Half cup of carrot purée for saffron colour
2. Half cup of grated mozzarella or paneer for white colour
3. Half cup of spinach purée for green colour
4. Two tablespoons of tomato paste
5. Two cloves of garlic finely chopped
6. One small onion chopped
7. One teaspoon of oregano
8. One teaspoon of chilli flakes
9. Two tablespoons of olive oil
10. Salt as required

Preparing The Dough

Take a large mixing bowl and combine the ragi flour, foxtail millet flour, and whole wheat flour. Add salt and sugar to the mixture. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and allow it to activate for about five minutes until bubbles form on the surface. Add this yeast mixture to the flour along with olive oil. Gradually add more warm water as needed and knead the mixture into a smooth dough. The dough should not be sticky and should hold together firmly. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and allow it to rest in a warm place for one hour.

Preparing The Sauce

Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté garlic and onion until golden. Add tomato paste, oregano, and chilli flakes. Cook this mixture on low heat for a few minutes until it thickens into a smooth sauce. Set aside to cool.

Preparing The Vegetable Purées

Steam carrots until soft and blend them into a smooth purée. Blanch spinach leaves briefly in hot water and immediately transfer them into cold water to retain their bright green colour before blending into a purée. Keep both purées ready in separate bowls.

Assembling The Pizza

After the dough has rested and doubled in size, preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Punch down the dough and roll it out on a flat surface to form a medium-thick base. Transfer this base onto a greased baking tray. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the surface. Arrange the toppings in three sections to reflect the colours of the Indian flag. Spread the carrot purée across the top third of the pizza for the saffron section. Place grated mozzarella or paneer across the middle section for the white portion. Spread the spinach purée across the lower third for the green section. Ensure the colours remain distinct and even.

Baking The Pizza

Place the tray in the oven and bake for fifteen to twenty minutes until the crust turns crisp and the toppings are cooked. If using paneer, check that it holds its shape and does not overcook. Once baked, remove the tray from the oven and allow the pizza to cool slightly before slicing.

Also read: Unusual Pizza Topping Combinations That Work Beautifully For A Homemade Pizza Night

Serving Suggestions

Cut the pizza carefully to preserve the tricolour pattern. Serve warm with a side of fresh salad or buttermilk. This dish works well as a festive centrepiece for family gatherings and can also be prepared in smaller sizes for serving guests during celebrations.