Homemade Vegan Pizza with Cashew Mozzarella

Homemade Vegan Pizza with Cashew Mozzarella

Introduction

After the observance of Passover, enjoying a delicious homemade pizza can be a delightful treat. This vegan pizza features a versatile homemade dough and a quick cashew-based mozzarella cheese inspired by Miyoko’s recipes. The pizza is topped with a flavorful combination of tomato sauce, Italian-style vegan sausage, red onion, spinach, red pepper, and freshly made cashew cheese. This recipe is perfect for both vegans and vegetarians and can be customized with your favorite toppings. Let’s dive into the detailed steps for making this mouthwatering pizza from scratch!

Ingredients

For the Dough:

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil.

For the Cashew Mozzarella:

1 cup raw cashews (soaked in water for at least 4 hours or overnight)
1 cup water
2 tablespoons tapioca starch
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon salt.

For the Toppings:

1 cup tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought)
1 cup Italian-style vegan sausage, crumbled or sliced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup fresh spinach leaves
Optional: fresh basil, crushed red pepper flakes, or other herbs.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough:
In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, until it becomes frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups of flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and olive oil.
Mix until a dough forms, adding more flour as needed until the dough is no longer sticky. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
2. Make the Cashew Mozzarella:
Drain and rinse the soaked cashews. In a blender, combine the cashews, water, tapioca starch, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and salt.
Blend until completely smooth. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. As the mixture heats, it will thicken and become stretchy. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once thickened, remove from heat.
3. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it heats.
4. Prepare the Toppings:
While the oven is heating, prepare your toppings. Slice the vegan sausage, red onion, and red pepper. Wash and dry the spinach leaves.