Put down the sausages and hold the burgers. While not the most obvious of candidates for the barbecue, homemade pizza can deliver on flavour and nutrients
While you can outsource pizza night to your local takeaway, you don’t have to. And your weekly budget isn’t the only thing that will benefit when you bring things inhouse. With the right recipe, a pizza can be a vehicle for nailing your nutrition, says dietitian Marissa Meshulam. As a meal, it typically delivers on carbs, fat and a bit of protein (via the cheese). Where pizza tends to fall short, she adds, is on fibre. Her solution? Adding nonstarchy veg (squash, courgette, chard) into the mix. Start with a homemade wholewheat base, then go nuts with toppings. The best bit? When you toss your pizza on the barbecue, you’ll add smokiness to the party. Deliver-who?
Wholewheat pizza dough
Total: 10 mins, plus rising
Makes: 450g
240g white wholewheat flour
2 tsp honey
1 1/2 tsp instant yeast
2 tbsp, plus 1/2 tsp, olive oil, plus more for greasing
Method
01. In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook on low, mix the flour, 180ml warm water, honey, yeast, 1 tsp salt and 2 tbsp oil until the dough starts to come together, about 2 mins. Increase the speed to medium-low and mix until the dough is smooth, 4 to 5 mins.
02. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled large bowl, drizzle with the remaining 1/2 tsp oil and rub to coat. Cover with cling film and let it rise at room temperature until it’s doubled in size, about 1 hr, or refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Per serving: 286 cals, 40g carbs, 9g protein, 9g fat
How to grill pizza dough
1 Heat the barbecue to medium-high, preparing one side for direct heat and the other side for indirect heat.
2 Working on a floured surface, shape 450g pizza dough (at room temp) into 30cm to 35cm rounds and transfer to a flour-dusted baking sheet. Brush the top with 2 tsp olive oil.
3 Grill the dough, oiled side down, over direct heat, covered, until the top begins to bubble and the bottom is crisp, 2 to 4 mins (using tongs to peek underneath).
4 Grab a pastry brush or a sheet of kitchen paper. Pour 2 tsp olive oil on to a plate (choose extra virgin for a better antioxidant profile) dab your brush and paint the dough.
5 Flip the dough and grill over indirect h
