Nirvana Odu

Odiani’s nostalgia

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Hail Lord Jagannath! A foodie, mindfulness coach, and a proud 90s kid who believes that life is best served with a side of nostalgia and a sprinkle of humor. Cooking is my lifelong love affair, where every dish I make is more than just food, it’s a piece of my story, a tradition carried forward, or a memory revived. From traditional recipes I learned growing up to experiments in the kitchen, cooking has been my way of staying grounded and creative mostly inherited by my Dad. Whether it’s doodling, making candles, coaching, gardening, or clicking pictures of my favorite sunset, I’ve never met a creative hobby I didn’t like. If there’s a way to make something beautiful, I’ll find it. Corporate escapee turned writer and coach – someone who’s walked the tightrope of stress and balance, I’ve embraced mindfulness as a way of life. Now, I guide others to find their calm, connect with themselves, and rediscover joy in the chaos of life. I grew up in a home where food wasn’t just sustenance—it was an experience. Summers were for juicy mangoes, monsoons called for crispy pakoras, and festive feasts were a chaotic yet magical celebration of family and flavors. Every recipe I share comes with its own little slice of nostalgia and a story that’s often as warm as the dish itself. Cooking, much like mindfulness, has taught me to savor the present moment. Whether it’s the soothing rhythm of chopping vegetables or the meditative focus of kneading dough, food has a way of anchoring me to what matters most. It’s this blend of mindfulness and flavor that I bring into my coaching and my stories. This blog is my little corner of the world where stories meet spices, mindfulness meets maggi, and nostalgia meets the next big meal. So, let’s cook, reminisce, and create moments that nourish not just the body, but the soul too.

Ultimate Guide to Making Perfect Pizza at Home

Post-lockdown, I find myself missing pizza every single week! The cravings are real and absolutely irresistible.

Over time, I’ve made pizza so many times that I can confidently say I’ve developed a skillset in pizza-making! It’s now one of my favorite things to bake, and I enjoy it so much that I often end up making three pizzas in one go. The process is easy-peasy, and the secret lies in the crust—it must be soft and perfect!

For this recipe, I’ve used yeast, but don’t worry if you don’t have any on hand. I’ll share a no-yeast version in an upcoming post, so stay tuned!

Let’s Get Started: The Pizza Recipe

Ingredients for the Dough:

  • Yeast
  • Warm water
  • Sugar
  • Flour or wheat flour
  • Butter
  • A pinch of salt

For the Toppings:

  • Paneer
  • Onions
  • Capsicum
  • Tomatoes
  • Corn
  • Chilly powder
  • Salt
  • Melted butter
  • Grated garlic
  • Mozzarella cheese (or any cheese you prefer)
  • Pizza sauce or spread

Method:

  1. Activate the Yeast:
    • Add yeast to warm water with a pinch of sugar. Make sure the water is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast. Let it rest until the yeast activates and becomes frothy.
  2. Prepare the Toppings:
    • Marinate paneer, onions, capsicum, tomatoes, and corn with chilly powder, salt, melted butter, and grated garlic. Let the flavors infuse while you prepare the dough. (You can also skip marinating and add the toppings directly!)
  3. Make the Dough:
    • In a mixing bowl, blend flour (or wheat flour), butter, and a pinch of salt. Gradually pour in the activated yeast mixture and knead the dough until it’s soft.
    • Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 20 minutes. Once it rises, the dough might feel sticky. Sprinkle some flour on your platform and knead it again until smooth.
  4. Shape the Pizza Base:
    • Divide the dough into balls based on the size of the pizzas you want to bake.
    • Grease your bakeware and spread the dough into a circular shape using clean hands. Pinch the edges slightly to form a crust.
    • Keep the base moderately thick—neither too thin nor too thick.
  5. Assemble the Pizza:
    • Brush the pizza base with your favorite pizza sauce or spread.
    • Add the marinated toppings evenly across the base. Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese (or any cheese you love) over the top.
  6. Bake to Perfection:
    • Preheat your oven/OTG to 180°C.
    • Place the pizza on the middle rack and bake for 25 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
  7. Garnish and Serve:
    • Once baked, garnish with chili flakes and oregano for that final touch of flavor.
Pizza Mania

And there you have it—your homemade pizza that’s soft, flavorful, and guaranteed to satisfy even the strongest cravings. Perfect for cozy dinners, midnight snacks, or simply treating yourself!

Enjoy every bite and don’t forget to experiment with toppings to create your own signature pizza!

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