Delicious Wholewheat Indian Palak Paneer Pizza: A Nutritious & Flavorful Weeknight Meal

Wholewheat Indian Palak Paneer Pizza offers a delightful fusion of beloved Indian flavors with the universal appeal of pizza. This innovative dish is generously filled with the rich, creamy goodness of spinach (palak) and Indian cottage cheese (paneer), all atop a wholesome wholewheat crust. It’s an ideal choice for an easy, nutritious weeknight dinner or a healthy, satisfying lunch, promising a burst of authentic taste in every bite.

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Indian Curry Taken Up a Notch: The Palak Paneer Story

The undisputed star of this innovative pizza is the rich and flavorful palak paneer. For us, Palak Paneer isn’t just an Indian curry; it’s a culinary cornerstone, a dish we return to year-round for its comforting taste and nourishing qualities. Imagine creamy, vibrant spinach expertly blended with soft, pillowy cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese), all infused with an aromatic medley of traditional Indian spices. This combination creates a truly delightful and deeply satisfying meal that’s both hearty and incredibly delicious. Its robust flavor profile and appealing texture make it a perfect candidate for reinvention, and transforming it into a pizza topping proved to be an inspired choice.

Palak Paneer, originating from the Indian subcontinent, is renowned for its health benefits, primarily from spinach, which is packed with vitamins and minerals, and paneer, a good source of protein and calcium. The spices, too, play a crucial role, not just in flavor but also in their reputed medicinal properties. When layered onto a crisp pizza crust, this beloved curry transforms into a unique culinary experience, offering the best of both worlds: the comforting familiarity of pizza and the exotic, rich flavors of Indian cuisine.

Why We Love Making Indian Curries at Home

There’s an undeniable joy in preparing Indian curries from scratch. Beyond the incredible flavors, we adore them for their inherent heartiness and nutritional value, not to mention how wonderfully they taste as leftovers the following day. Exploring different cuisines from around the world is one of our greatest kitchen adventures. It’s a fantastic way to experiment with new ingredients, master unique cooking techniques, and bring diverse cultural experiences right to our dinner table. What international dishes do you enjoy bringing to life in your own home kitchen?

The practicality of Indian curries, especially palak paneer, is a huge bonus. We often make a generous batch, knowing that any leftovers will be just as delicious, if not more so, whether enjoyed cold or gently reheated. This led us to ponder new and exciting ways to transform our leftover palak paneer. That’s when inspiration struck, culminating in this incredibly innovative and utterly delicious wholewheat palak paneer pizza recipe. It’s a testament to the versatility of Indian cuisine and our love for culinary creativity, ensuring no delicious curry ever goes to waste!

The Joy of Homemade Wholewheat Pizza

When it comes to crafting the perfect pizza, the crust is paramount. For this Palak Paneer Pizza, you have the option of using a convenient pre-made pizza base or embarking on the rewarding journey of making your own. While both paths lead to a delicious outcome, we strongly advocate for a homemade wholewheat dough for an unparalleled flavor and textural experience. There’s a distinct satisfaction and superior taste that comes from a crust made from scratch, especially one that incorporates the wholesome goodness of wholewheat flour.

Opting for a wholewheat crust not only adds a lovely nutty flavor but also boosts the fiber content, making your Indian pizza even more nutritious. The process of preparing the dough, from mixing the ingredients to watching it rise, is a therapeutic culinary activity. The end result is a crust that is perfectly chewy yet crisp, providing the ideal foundation for our rich palak paneer topping. It truly elevates the entire dish, transforming a simple meal into a gourmet experience. If you’re feeling ambitious, we wholeheartedly recommend dedicating the time to craft your own homemade dough – it’s a game-changer!

Health Benefits of Palak Paneer Pizza

Beyond its incredible taste, this Wholewheat Indian Palak Paneer Pizza is a powerhouse of nutrition. The primary ingredients contribute significantly to a balanced diet, making it a healthy choice for any meal. Let’s break down the goodness:

Spinach (Palak): This leafy green vegetable is loaded with vitamins K, A, and C, as well as folate, iron, and magnesium. It supports bone health, improves eyesight, and offers potent antioxidant benefits. The large quantity of spinach in the palak paneer topping means you’re getting a substantial serving of these essential nutrients.
Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese): A fantastic source of protein, paneer is essential for muscle growth and repair. It also provides a good amount of calcium, vital for strong bones and teeth. Unlike many cheeses, paneer is low in carbs, making it a good option for those monitoring their carbohydrate intake.
Wholewheat Crust: Choosing a wholewheat base instead of a refined flour crust significantly increases the fiber content of your pizza. Fiber aids digestion, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and contributes to a feeling of fullness, which can assist in weight management. Whole grains also provide more vitamins and minerals compared to their refined counterparts.
Indian Spices: The spices used in palak paneer like garam masala, turmeric, paprika, ginger, and chili are not just for flavor. Turmeric is a well-known anti-inflammatory, ginger aids digestion, and various spices contribute to overall well-being with their antioxidant properties.

Together, these ingredients create a meal that is not only satisfying and bursting with flavor but also packed with essential nutrients, making your pizza indulgence a wholesome one.

How to Make This Palak Paneer Pizza: Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting this Indian-inspired pizza is a two-part process: perfecting the wholewheat crust and creating the delectable palak paneer topping. Let’s walk through the steps to ensure a truly authentic and delicious result.

The Perfect Wholewheat Pizza Crust

As mentioned, while store-bought crusts are an option, making your own wholewheat dough is highly recommended for superior taste and texture. The key to a great homemade crust lies in allowing the yeast to activate properly and giving the dough ample time to rise. This ensures a light, airy, yet sturdy base that can hold up to the rich palak paneer.

Tips for Dough Success:

Leaven Activation: Don’t rush this step. The bubbling indicates your yeast is active and ready to work its magic.
Gradual Water Addition: Wholewheat flour can absorb liquids differently than white flour. Add water slowly until the dough reaches the perfect consistency—smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
Warm Environment: A warm, draft-free place is crucial for the dough to double in size effectively. Your oven, briefly heated then turned off, creates an ideal proofing box.
High Heat Baking: Pizzas thrive in high heat. Preheat your oven to its maximum temperature to achieve a crisp crust and perfectly cooked toppings in a short amount of time.

Crafting the Flavorful Palak Paneer Topping

The palak paneer topping is where the Indian essence truly shines. It’s a medley of fresh spinach, tender paneer, and a symphony of aromatic spices. The process involves sautéing onions and garlic, blooming the spices, then gently wilting the spinach before incorporating the paneer and tomatoes.

Key to the Topping:

Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for fresh spinach and ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.
Spice Blending: The garam masala, turmeric, and paprika, combined with fresh ginger and chili, create the signature warmth and depth of a traditional palak paneer. Don’t be shy with the aromatics!
Cheese Choice: While traditional paneer is ideal, a soft cheese like Laughing Cow or even a mild feta can offer a similar creamy texture if paneer isn’t readily available.
Slow Simmer: Allowing the palak paneer to simmer gently ensures all the flavors meld beautifully, creating a rich and complex sauce that perfectly complements the pizza.

Assembly and Baking

Once your wholewheat dough is rolled out and your palak paneer is ready, the final step is to combine them. Spread the vibrant palak paneer generously over the pizza crust, ensuring an even layer of goodness. Then, into your preheated, super-hot oven it goes! The high temperature will rapidly cook the crust to a beautiful golden crispness and heat the topping through, melting any additional cheese you might add for extra indulgence. This pizza is not just a meal; it’s a celebration of flavors and textures, with the wholesome crust supporting the rich, aromatic palak paneer.

Looking for More Delicious Indian Recipes?

If this Wholewheat Palak Paneer Pizza has ignited your passion for Indian cuisine, we have many more authentic and flavorful recipes for you to explore. These are some of our absolute favorites, perfect for expanding your repertoire of homemade Indian dishes:

Palak Paneer – The classic spinach & cheese curry that started it all.
Homemade Cheese Naan – Soft, chewy, and cheesy Indian flatbread, perfect for scooping up curries.
Raita – A refreshing yogurt & cucumber dip/sauce, ideal for balancing spicy dishes.
Aloo Gobi – A comforting and flavorful potato & cauliflower curry.
Chicken Karahi – A fiery and robust chicken curry made with a generous amount of hot peppers.
Chicken Korma – A mild, creamy, and subtly spiced classic Indian chicken curry.
Bombay Potatoes – Perfectly spiced and tender Indian potato dish.
Garlic Ginger Paste – The essential aromatic base for most of our delicious Indian curries.

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Indian Wholewheat Palak Paneer Pizza

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Author: Alix and Hugo

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Discover how to create this incredibly flavorful and wholesome Palak Paneer Pizza. Featuring a homemade wholewheat pizza crust and a rich, creamy topping of fresh spinach and paneer, this recipe is a perfect blend of Indian culinary tradition and classic comfort food. It’s an easy, nutritious, and satisfying meal for any day of the week.

Ingredients

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For the wholewheat pizza dough

2.25 cups (300g) of wholewheat flour
5oz of lukewarm water
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of castor sugar
1.5 tsp of dried yeast
1oz of olive oil

For the palak paneer topping

300g of fresh spinach
100g of laughing cow cheese, another soft cheese or paneer
1 red onion (peeled and sliced)
1 garlic clove (peeled and finely chopped)
2 ripe tomatoes (diced) or 150g/3/4 cup of tomato sauce
1 tsp of garam masala
1 tsp of paprika
1 tsp of turmeric
1inch of fresh ginger (peeled and grated)
1 fresh chili pepper (finely chopped)
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

To prepare the wholewheat pizza crust

Prepare the Leaven: In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup of wholewheat flour, the dried yeast, castor sugar, and 2oz (approximately 60ml) of lukewarm water. Stir these ingredients together until well combined. Let this mixture rest for 10-15 minutes in a warm spot. The leaven is ready when it forms a frothy, bubbly, brownish dough, indicating the yeast is active.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of your Kitchen Aid (or a large mixing bowl if kneading by hand), add the remaining wholewheat flour and salt. Mix slowly to combine.
Incorporate Leaven: Pour the activated leaven into the flour mixture in the Kitchen Aid bowl. Continue to mix slowly, allowing it to incorporate evenly.
Add Olive Oil: Drizzle in the olive oil and continue to mix the dough slowly.
Add Remaining Water: Gradually pour in the rest of the lukewarm water, little by little, while the mixer continues to run on a slow speed. Continue mixing for about 10 minutes until the dough comes together.
Check Dough Consistency: The finished dough should be smooth, elastic, and springy to the touch.
Adjust Consistency (if needed): If your dough appears too dry, add more water, a teaspoon at a time. If it’s too wet and sticky, add a little more flour, also a teaspoon at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved. Always add small amounts to avoid over-correcting.
First Rise: Cover the bowl containing the dough with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Place it in a warm environment to rest for at least one hour, or until it has doubled in size. A warm oven (heated to 80°F/30°C for 5 minutes, then turned off) can create an ideal proofing environment.
Dough Doubles: After resting, your dough should have noticeably increased in volume, indicating a successful rise.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to its maximum temperature. For many ovens, this is around 570°F (300°C), which is ideal for achieving a crispy pizza crust.
Prepare for Rolling: Remove the risen dough from the bowl. Place it onto an oiled sheet of baking paper or a silicone baking mat (silpat).
Roll Out Dough: Using a rolling pin, carefully roll out the dough into your desired pizza shape and thickness.
Crust is Ready: Your homemade wholewheat pizza crust is now prepared and ready for the delicious palak paneer topping!

To prepare the palak paneer topping

Prepare Spinach: Wash the fresh spinach thoroughly and remove any tough stems.
Sauté Onion: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a casserole dish or large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced red onion and a pinch of salt, then cook for approximately 2 minutes until it begins to soften.
Add Spices & Aromatics: Stir in the paprika, turmeric, garam masala, grated fresh ginger, finely chopped fresh chili pepper, and finely chopped garlic. Continue to cook for about 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the spices are fragrant.
Wilt Spinach: Add the spinach to the pan in three batches. Allow each batch to wilt down before adding the next, stirring gently to combine with the spices.
Add Cheese: Once all the spinach is wilted, add the paneer (or chosen soft cheese). Cook for an additional 2 minutes, gently stirring to combine.
Simmer: Add the diced ripe tomatoes (or tomato sauce) to the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover the casserole and let it simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully.

To assemble and bake your pizza

Spread Topping: Generously spread the prepared palak paneer topping evenly over your rolled-out wholewheat pizza dough.
Bake: Transfer the pizza to your preheated maximum-heat oven. Bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy, and the topping is heated through and bubbling. Cooking time may vary depending on your oven’s specific temperature and efficiency.

Category: Healthy pizza, Vegetarian, Indian
Cuisine: Indian, Fusion