Frying pan pizza with aubergine, ricotta & mint
This recipe ensures a crispy-bottomed pizza without ever turning on the oven. It's easy, veggie and 2 of your 5-a-day
Ingredients
- 200 gstrong white bread flour plus a little for dusting
- ½ tspfast-action dried yeast
- ¼ tspgolden caster sugar
- a little oil for greasing
- 4 tbspolive oil plus a little extra
- 1garlic clove thinly sliced
- 200 gpassata
- golden caster sugar
optional
- 1 smallaubergine sliced into discs
- 100 gricotta
- handful mint roughly chopped
- extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Directions
- 1
Weigh the ingredients for the dough into a large bowl and add 1/2 tsp salt and 125ml warm water. Mix to form a soft dough, then tip onto your work surface and knead for 5 mins or until the dough feels stretchy. Clean and grease the bowl and return the dough. Cover with cling film and leave somewhere warm to rise for 1 hr, or until the dough has doubled in size.
- 2
Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a pan and add the garlic. Sizzle gently for 30 secs, making sure the garlic doesn’t brown, then add the passata. Season well and bubble for 8-10 mins until you have a rich sauce – add a pinch of sugar if it tastes a little too tart. Set aside.
- 3
When the dough has risen, knock out the air and roll it into a pizza base the same size as a large frying pan. Oil the surface of the dough, cover with cling film , then leave on the work surface for 15 mins to puff up a little. Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp oil in the frying pan and add the aubergines in a single layer (you may have to cook in batches). Season well and cook for 4-5 mins on each side until really tender and golden. Transfer to a dish and cover with foil to keep warm.
- 4
Heat the remaining 1 tbsp of oil in the pan and carefully lift the dough into it. You may have to reshape it a little to fit. Cook over a low-medium heat until the underside is golden brown and the edges of the dough are starting to look dry and set – this should take about 6 mins, but it’s best to go by eye. Flip over, drizzle a little more oil around the edge of the pan so it trickles underneath the pizza base, and cook for another 5-6 mins until golden and cooked through. Reheat the sauce if you need to and spread it over the base. Top with the warm aubergines and dot with spoonfuls of ricotta. Scatter with mint and drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil just before serving.
About this Recipe
The Ultimate Frying Pan Pizza with Aubergine, Ricotta & Mint
Imagine a perfectly crispy-bottomed pizza without ever turning on your oven. Sound too good to be true? Not with this incredible frying pan pizza with aubergine, ricotta & mint recipe! This innovative approach delivers a deliciously satisfying, easy vegetarian pizza that's perfect for a weeknight dinner and even contributes 2 of your 5-a-day.
What makes this aubergine and ricotta pizza truly special is the unexpected yet harmonious blend of flavors. Slices of tender aubergine are cooked to perfection, providing a lovely texture and earthy depth. This pairs beautifully with the creamy, delicate ricotta, creating an indulgent pizza experience. A final flourish of fresh mint adds a bright, aromatic counterpoint, elevating every bite. It’s a sophisticated twist on classic pizza flavors that’s surprisingly simple to master.
Crafting your own homemade pizza dough is part of the fun, ensuring a fresh foundation for your toppings. The magic truly happens on the stovetop, where the intense heat of the frying pan creates that coveted crisp crust that rivals many oven-baked versions. This recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a gourmet-style pizza with minimal fuss, making it ideal for busy evenings when you crave something special.
Tips & Variations for Your Frying Pan Pizza
- Boost the Veggies: Feel free to add thinly sliced bell peppers or cherry tomato halves along with the aubergine for an extra burst of flavor and nutrients.
- Cheese Please: While ricotta provides incredible creaminess, a sprinkle of grated mozzarella or a hard Italian cheese like Parmesan can be added for an extra cheesy layer.
- Herb Power: If mint isn't your favorite, fresh basil or oregano would also be delightful additions, chopped and scattered over the finished pizza.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve your easy frying pan pizza alongside a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette for a complete and balanced meal.
This vegetarian frying pan pizza is a game-changer for pizza lovers looking for convenience, flavor, and a healthier touch. Dive in and discover your new favorite way to make pizza!