World Pizza Day: Make Fruit Pizza With Chef Merajuddin Ansari
Image Credit: Fruit Pizza, Four Points by Sheraton, Navi Mumbai

Every year 9 February marks the most awaited World Pizza Day. Pizza is pure love for anyone, age, race, caste and creed, with no bar. This dish originating in Italy has become a global favourite of epicureans. This dish is known for its versatility; thus, people worldwide go creative by experimenting with different toppings, bases, cheese variants, and sauces. Joining the bandwagon, Chef Merajuddin Ansari, Four Points by Sheraton, Navi Mumbai, has given a creative spin to it and prepared an unusual recipe called Breakfast Fruit Pizza to be devoured on World Pizza Day.

What is unique about this pizza, and why was it chosen for this day? Replying to them, Chef Merajuddin says that as a chef, one is constantly seeking new flavours and culinary experiences to broaden the palate and enhance skills. “As a working professional and home chef, it is certain that one will suffer from palate fatigue. My inspiration to add innovation while keeping it appetizing across all ages resulted in the Fruit Pizza” informs Ansari.  

The fruit pizza serves as a substitution for the traditional recipe, with a healthy twist. “I whipped up a lighter version using non-fat plain Greek yoghurt. The recipe also sneaks in a little protein; I bet no one will miss the old (original) version once they taste this. One must note that it is important to use garden-fresh produce, and it must be consumed as early as possible. I thought of creating something different, which manifested in the Fruit Pizza. I hope everyone else likes it too.” 

This easy healthy fruit pizza is made of oats flour and almonds flour and has a fruit base making it a perfect choice for dessert and breakfast and is deliciously healthy. Packed with fresh, wholesome, and nutritious ingredients, it will serve as a healthy yet hearty meal. 

Breakfast Fruit Pizza 

Breakfast fruit pizza, Image Source: Four Points by Sheraton, Navi Mumbai 

Ingredients

  •  1 cup oatmeal
  • 1 cup badam or whole almonds 
  • 2 bananas (ripe)
  • 2 tablespoons rice flour
  • 1 tablespoon date syrup (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Greek yoghurt
  • 2 fresh strawberries ( cut into slices)
  • 1 kiwi fruit (cut into slices)
  • Orange (cut into segments)
  • Blueberries
  • 4 pudina or mint leaves
  • Honey (optional)

 Method 

  • In a blender, pour oats and almonds and grind to a coarse flour.
  • Add the rice flour and blend in the oats and almond flour in a mixing bowl. Season it with salt. 
  • Puree the bananas to a smooth paste and add date syrup if you are using it.
  • Pour the banana mix into the oats, almonds and rice flour blend and give all the ingredients a thorough stir. 
  • Since this mix will remain wet for a while, allow it to rest for a couple of minutes. It will also let the oats soak extra moisture, resulting in a good binding factor. 
  • Set a large baking tray with a baking paper carefully.
  • Grease your palms well with oil and gently pat the dough on the paper with a thickness between 1/2 centimetre to 1 centimetre.
  • Bake in a 180-degree preheated oven for nearly 12-15 minutes.
  • Let it cool down completely, and peel the baking paper gently. 
  • Now smear with Greek yoghurt and place the fruits - strawberries, kiwi, orange, blueberries, and top it with mint leaves, drizzle with honey if using and cut into slices.

Serve healthy Fruit Pizza for a healthy and delicious breakfast and celebrate World Pizza Day with a creative spin to the dish.