Vegetable Pan Pizza

Vegetable Pan Pizza

Ingredients:

• Broccoli: 1 head, cut into florets
• Zucchini: 1, trimmed and sliced
• Carrot: 1, peeled and chopped
• Bell Pepper: 1, diced
• Onion: 1, finely chopped
• Eggs: 2
• Flour: 3 tbsp (24g)
• Milk: 220ml (just under 1 cup)
• Light Mozzarella: 100g (3.5 oz), cubed
• Grated Cheese: 80g (2/3 cup)
• Olive Oil: 2 tbsp (30ml)
• Salt, Pepper, and Parsley: To taste

Instructions:

1. Preparing the Vegetables

Blanching the Broccoli

• Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the broccoli florets.
• Blanch the broccoli for 2 minutes. This quick cooking method helps to retain the bright green color and crisp texture of the broccoli while slightly softening it.
• After 2 minutes, immediately drain the broccoli and transfer it to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain the broccoli again and set it aside.

Sautéing the Vegetables

• In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
• Next, add the chopped carrot, zucchini slices, and diced bell pepper to the pan. Sauté the vegetables until they are tender but still retain some bite, approximately 7-8 minutes.
• Season the vegetables with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of parsley to taste. Stir well to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
• Once the vegetables are cooked, remove the pan from the heat and allow them to cool slightly while you prepare the batter.

2. Mixing the Batter

• In a large mixing bowl, crack and whisk the two eggs until they are well beaten.
• Gradually add the 220ml of milk to the eggs, whisking continuously to combine. Season the mixture with a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
• Pour in the olive oil and continue whisking until fully incorporated.
• Slowly add the 3 tablespoons of flour to the mixture, whisking until smooth and free of lumps. The flour helps to bind the ingredients together and gives the pizza a slight crust.
• Stir in the 80g of grated cheese and a handful of chopped parsley. The batter should be smooth and slightly thick, perfect for pouring over the vegetables.

3. Assembling the Pizza

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
• Line a baking dish or a large pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking.
• Evenly spread the sautéed vegetables across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Ensure that the vegetables are distributed evenly so that every bite of the pizza is filled with flavor.
• Arrange the blanched broccoli florets on top of the sautéed vegetables.
• Pour the prepared batter over the vegetables, making sure that all the vegetables are fully covered by the batter. This will help to hold everything together as it bakes.
• Finally, scatter the cubed light mozzarella evenly over the top of the pizza. The mozzarella will melt and create a deliciously gooey, cheesy topping.

4. Cooking to Perfection

• Place the assembled pizza into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
• The aroma of the baking pizza will fill your kitchen, signaling that it’s almost ready to be enjoyed.
• To check if the pizza is done, insert a toothpick or a knife into the center. If it comes out clean or with only melted cheese, your pizza is ready.