Pizza Pocket

Pizza pocket

Pizza pocket is again a fusion recipe that I created in my own kitchen. Fusion food are always so tempting and delicious. You get the best of both cuisines. To me that is exactly what would satisfy my taste buds. I call these pockets fusion because the pockets are basically pita bread whose origin is of middle east and the other we have everyone's favorite Italian pizza filling.

Now, I sat there pondering if I had created any pizza dishes in my kitchen during this Ramadan. And it was a no! I haven't made any pizza versions, I myself couldn't believe as I am a big time pizza fan. I am someone if ever see a slice somewhere I just have to try at least one slice hahah. Now coming back to the point, so I had to attempt something that was filling, at the same time healthy, and delicious, after all that is what we all want to have for iftar yea and do our tummy a favor by not over burdening it with fried food. One among my favorite creations are the pizza cups, which I haven't shared here yet, in Sha Allah will do that soon as for this Ramadan I have shared a cheesey bread cups recipe! Do check out if you haven't yet! They are yummilicious😍😍

The dough is pretty simple to make. I am usually an instant dough person, lol. I don't have that kind of "saboor" (patience). But I always convince myself saying that by the time I finish doing the filling, the dough will be ready. But proofing can take time, sometimes 1 hour or maybe upto 2 hours. I was running late on time and it was almost iftar time when pizza craving hit and the recipe developer in me didn't allow me to settle for the good ol' mini pizzas. 🙈😂 

Here I am going reveal what I did to cause the proofing work faster. I preheat my oven to 140° C or the lowest heat setting for 2 minutes, place my dough covered in the oven, without completely closing the oven door and voila! In 15-20 minutes maximum you have your dough risen well, now this was an experiment and alhamdulilah it turned out great. Now no more worries of the Proofing time if you are anything like me.. 😂😂

This recipe is quick, easy, filling and hassle free.. I was so happy with the outcome that now I can't wait to share it with you guys despite all the recipes that are sitting in my drafts. Now without further a do, let's get started!

Ingredients :
For the dough (makes at least 12 pitas) :

• 1 cup Whole wheat flour/ Aatta
• 1 cup All purpose flour
• 1 1/2  cup or more All purpose flour to combine the dough
• 1/2 tbsp active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Salt, required
• 3 tbsp olive oil

For the pizza filling:

• 250 gms boneless tender chicken breasts, cut into small strips
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp Kashmiri Red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp Paprika (optional)
• 1/2 tsp Red chili flakes
• 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tbsp Soy sauce
• 1/2 of medium onion, chopped roughly into squares.
• 1/4 Capsicum, chopped
• 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
• 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
• 1 tsp oregano
• 3-4 tbsp Tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions :
To make the pita bread:

1. In a large bowl combine yeast, warm water, warm milk and sugar. Stir gently, close with a lid or a plate and set aside for 10 minutes for the yeast to bloom.
2. After the 10 minutes add in your salt, wheat flour and all purpose flour along with olive oil and combine well.
3. After the mixture is well combined, add in 1/2 cups of all purpose flour until you get the desired consistency.
4. The dough will be soft and pliable once it reaches the desired consistency. (check notes*)
5. Place the dough back in the bowl and allow to proof. Preheat your oven to 140° C or the lowest heat setting for 2 minutes, place your dough covered in the oven, without completely closing the oven door and voila! In 15-20 minutes maximum you have your dough risen well.
6. Beat the risen dough using your fists and knead for a couple of minutes and make them into small round balls, flatten using a rolling pin and cook them on a tawa for 2 minutes or until it puffs up so that there is a cavity for the filling (flipping every other minute).

To make the pizza filling:

1. Cut the chicken into small strips, place it in a bowl. Now add salt, ginger garlic paste, Turmeric powder, chili powder, paprika.
2. Onto a fry pan pour some olive oil and Sautee your onions. Next add your Capsicum and mince 1 garlic clove to this.
3. Add in your marinated chicken and cook on medium high.
4. Add soy sauce and Sautee well.
5. Next add in your garlic powder and Chilli Flakes.
6. While the chicken gets done. Prepare the pizza sauce.
7. In a bowl add tomato paste, ketchup, oregano, a tsp of olive oil and a garlic clove, finely chopped, add salt to taste, if required. Mix and set aside.
8. Cut the pita bread into halves so that you have two pita pockets with cavity. Spread the sauce inside and fill in your chicken filling, add your olives and finally add Mozzarella.
9. Grill them on a grill pan on Sim with lid on so that the cheese melts, can be done in a fry pan too.
10. Voila! And your pizza pockets are ready, Enjoy!

Note:

• We are a fam of 3, so I didn't require so much dough, so I kept the extra dough in the fridge. Next time when I use it, I thaw it well and use.
• This filling recipe is perfect for 6 pitas where you will get 12 pockets.
• Make sure you don't use hot water, this will kill the yeast.
• You may add Mayo for a more creamy texture, I did not add it as I wanted to make the flavor to be authentic. 
• You may make the same recipe with all purpose flour completely, but I wanted a healthier version.
• *To get the desired consistency of the dough, do not add too much flour, it should be workable. 

Do try this recipe and don't forget to share your experience/feedback with me here in the comments or feel free to send me a mail. Also, do tag me at #taystedit if you try out my recipes on Facebook, Instagram etc so that I can see when you make it. ♡♡♡♡