The topping situation was inspired by what I had growing in my garden. Basil, brahmi, baby kale and purslane all made their way onto this pizza
Purslane grows wild here. It’s everywhere. Even though we’re in the middle of a drought and the grass is all dead, the purslane is still growing wherever it may. It’s often considered as a common weed, and I am guilty of constantly weeding wild purslane out of my garden and putting it straight into my compost. Well, not today!
Purslane is a nutritious herb, containing iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, D and E. The seeds are also a really rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Apart from being a nutritious weed, purslane also has medicinal properties. Some of it’s many uses include assisting with detoxification; eliminating intestinal worms; and relieving skin conditions such as eczema, burns and dry skin. So the next time you find purslane growing freely in your yard, don’t just weed it – try some in your salad, soup, or on pizza 😉
Of course, if you don’t feel that adventurous, you’re welcome to use any greens you like! I encourage you to use what’s locally available to YOU. If you do decide to go foraging, be certain you know what plant you are picking – there are many poisonous plants in our environment which are often mistaken for edible plants.
Chickpea Pizza With Herb Pesto
Ingredients
BASE
- 300 ml water
- 1 cup chickpea flour
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp chilli paste
HERB PESTO
- 3/4 cup mixed baby kale leaves, basil, and other herbs/greens as desired
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts
- 1 clove of garlic
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup water
TOPPINGS
- Use your favourite toppings! I used olives, artichokes, basil, brahmi, purslane and chickpeas.
Instructions
BASE
- Whisk or blend all base ingredients until smooth.
- Preheat a frying pan, grease with some olive oil if needed.
- Pour into half the batter and spread into a circle with the back of a spoon.
- Fry for 3-4 mins, flip, and fry for a further 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and repeat with remaining batter (you will end up with 2 pizza bases).
PESTO
- Meanwhile, blend pesto ingredients until broken down or smooth.
- Spread the pesto on both the pizzas.
- Top with your favourite toppings and serve immediately, or you may optionally bake for 5-10 minutes to cook the toppings, if desired.
