There’s something undeniably comforting about the smell of pizza baking—yeast, cheese, and warmth rising in the air. But for me, pizza isn’t just about cheese and crust. It’s about memories.
I remember a rainy evening during the first year of my marriage. It was one of those days when everything outside was grey, and the roads were too wet for takeout. We were craving something indulgent, and my husband said, “Why don’t we make pizza at home?” I had never tried it before—no fancy oven, no pizza stone, not even mozzarella back then. Just trust, maida, and the kind of enthusiasm only newlyweds and food lovers share.
We kneaded the dough together, laughed at the mess we made, and layered our first pizza with capsicum, onion, and processed cheese. We didn’t know how it would turn out, but when it came off the tawa—golden, cheesy, and slightly smoky—it tasted better than any pizza chain ever could. It tasted like effort, joy, and shared discovery.
Since that day, our home style pizza has been our thing—made on lazy Sundays, birthdays, and even when the world outside feels too loud. It’s not gourmet. It’s not picture-perfect. But it’s ours.
And now, it can be yours too.
Home Style Pizza (Tawa Method)
Yield: 2 medium pizzas | Prep Time: 90 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins
Ingredients
For the Dough:
2 cups all-purpose flour (maida)
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp instant dry yeast
½ tsp salt
Âľ cup warm water (approx.)
2 tbsp oil
For the Toppings:
½ cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, grated
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 capsicum, thinly sliced
ÂĽ cup boiled sweet corn
Chili flakes, oregano to taste
Pinch of salt
Instructions
🌾 Step 1: Making the Dough
In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 10 minutes until frothy.
In a larger mixing bowl, add flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and oil. Mix and knead for 8–10 minutes until soft and springy.
Cover and let the dough rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size. Use this time to prepare your toppings and maybe sip a warm cup of chai.
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🍅 Step 2: Shaping the Pizza
Punch down the dough and divide it into 2 equal balls. Roll each into a medium-sized thick round—don’t aim for perfection. Home pizzas are beautifully rustic.
Place on a hot tawa and toast each side for 2–3 minutes until slightly puffed and golden. This preps the base for the toppings.
🧀 Step 3: Assemble & Cook
Spread pizza sauce evenly on the cooked side. Add cheese, toppings, and herbs. Place the pizza back on a tawa, cover with a lid, and cook on low heat for 8–10 minutes until cheese is melted and the crust is crispy at the bottom.
Serve hot with love, laughter, and (if you’re like me) a glass of chilled cola or a warm masala chai.
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❤️ Tips & Variations
No yeast? Use curd and baking soda instead. It’ll be softer, almost like a naan-pizza hybrid.
Add-ins: Paneer tikka, olives, mushrooms, or jalapeños add lovely twists.
Extra cheesy? Stuff a bit of cheese inside the crust before toasting. Instant cheese burst!
đź“– Why I Keep Coming Back to This Recipe
This is more than a pizza. It’s my reminder that we don’t always need to go out or order in to treat ourselves. We can build joy in our kitchens—flour on our hands, love in the dough, and stories baked into every slice.
When you make this recipe, don’t worry about symmetry or standards. Let it bubble over, toast unevenly, brown a little more on one side. That’s the beauty of home-style food. It’s not trying to impress. It’s just trying to nourish you—with flavor and feeling.
So the next time you want a slice of comfort, skip the delivery app. Just turn up your favorite music, roll out the dough, and make this pizza your own. ❤️
The Pinch of Masala 