Jackfruit Masala Pizza: A Vegan Delight

Welcome to a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds with the fusion of Indian flavors and Italian tradition. Today, we're making a Jackfruit Masala Pizza. This vegan-friendly recipe is a unique twist on the classic pizza, featuring a spiced tomato sauce and a topping of shredded jackfruit.

Crafting the Perfect Pizza Dough

Our pizza journey begins with the dough. Here's what you'll need:

- Active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons or 1 packet)

- Sugar (1 teaspoon)

- Warm water (1 cup, 110°F/43°C)

- All-purpose flour (3 cups)

- Salt (1 teaspoon)

- Olive oil (2 tablespoons)

To prepare the dough, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. 

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. 

Mix until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth. 

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.

Spicing Up the Tomato Sauce

Next, we'll prepare our spiced tomato sauce. Gather these ingredients:

- Crushed tomatoes (1 can, 14 oz)

- Minced garlic (2 cloves)

- Cumin powder (1 teaspoon)

- Coriander powder (1 teaspoon)

- Red chili powder (1/2 teaspoon, adjust to taste)

- Garam masala (1/2 teaspoon)

- Salt (to taste)

- Olive oil (1 tablespoon)

In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. 

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt.

 Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

Preparing the Jackfruit Topping

For the toppings, you'll need:

- Young jackfruit in brine, shredded (1 can, 20 oz)

- Thinly sliced bell peppers (1 cup, assorted colors)

- Thinly sliced red onions (1 cup)

- Shredded vegan cheese (1 1/2 cups)

- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Drain and rinse the canned jackfruit. Shred it with a fork or your hands to resemble pulled pork.

Assembling and Baking the Pizza

Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). 

Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. 

Transfer the dough to a pizza stone or a baking sheet. 

Spread the spiced tomato sauce evenly over the dough. 

Sprinkle the shredded jackfruit, bell peppers, red onions, and vegan cheese on top.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.

 Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.

Serve your Jackfruit Masala Pizza hot and savor the unique blend of flavors!