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Diaspora Co.'s Paneer Tikka Pizza
Diaspora Co.'s Paneer Tikka Pizza

Diaspora Co.'s Paneer Tikka Pizza

By Asha Loupy
By Asha Loupy
Vegetarian

What if you could have a pizza that pairs the freshest flavours of India and Italy while supporting ethical consumption and an independent, women-owned business? This recipe does just that, with soft paneer (an Indian cheese made) marinated in a tasty Tandoori Masala spice blend and put on top of...

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Method

Note

If you don't have Diaspora Co.'s products, use any similar blend you can find. To make your own, try equal amounts of garam masala and red Kashmiri chilli powder or cayenne pepper with a dash of garlic powder.

  1. Make your pizza dough ahead of time –– at least 30 minutes prep, plus 90 to 150 minutes for proofing. See our guide to making Classic Pizza Dough if you need help or a refresher.

  2. Once your dough is ready to go, marinate the paneer. Combine 1½ tablespoons (14 grams) of Tandoori Masala and 1½ tablespoons (20 grams) neutral oil in a shallow bowl and whisk into a smooth paste. Add the paneer and gently toss it in the marinade, making sure each piece has a thin coating of spice on it. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.

  3. For the sauce, heat 1 ½ tablespoons (20 grams) of neutral oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally until they soften and start to turn golden around the edges –– about 6 to 8 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon (9 grams) of Tandoori Masala and continue to cook, stirring frequently until the spices smell fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the canned tomatoes and cream (optional), reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until heated through, about 3 to 4 minutes. Turn off heat and set aside.

    Tip: If you're not using this sauce within 30 minutes, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

  4. Fire up your oven and aim for 400˚C (752˚F) on the pizza stone inside. Use an infrared thermometer to quickly and easily check the temperature.

  5. Dust your pizza peel with a small amount of flour, then stretch the dough ball out to 12 inches (30 cm) and lay it out on your peel. Use a large spoon or ladle to spread ¼ cup (63 grams) of sauce evenly across the base. Top with ¾ cup (65 grams) mozzarella, half of the marinated paneer, ¼ cup (38 g) green bell peppers, half of the red onion and half of the cherry tomatoes.

  6. Launch the pizza into your oven. Make sure to rotate the pizza regularly to ensure an even cook. Cook for 60 to 90 seconds, or until the crust is nicely browned and the sauce and cheese are bubbling.

  7. Once cooked, remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle with chopped cilantro, then slice and enjoy immediately!

  8. Give your oven a 5-minute break while you prepare the second pizza, then repeat the assembly and cooking process.

Asha Loupy

Asha (she/her) is an Oakland-based freelance recipe developer, recipe editor for Diaspora Co. — a company equitably sourcing spices from South Asia — and contributor to Bon Appétit, Food52, The Washington Post, Epicurious, and The Kitchn.

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