Len Goodman doesn’t like foreign food. That lovable head judge from Dancing With the Stars/Strictly Come Dancing (who can be a bit old school when it comes to scoring dance routines) doesn’t like anything besides classic English fare. Fish and chips, bangers and mash, roast dinners—that whole lot. These are the things I learn after watching British game shows. Too many game shows.
Here’s a question for you. Out of a 100 people surveyed (in the late-1980s), what was the number one answer to this: What is something that people take home from their hotel rooms?
Ashtrays! I completely forgot that the whole smoking in a hotel room thing was socially acceptable once upon a time. Oh, how the times have changed.
As much as I love Len (especially when he exclaims, “It’s a 10 from Len!”), I’m all about embracing the different cultures on my plate. Tandoori flavors baked on top of naan, served as a pizza—now that’s cultural fusion on a plate.
When it comes to pizza, I prefer the thin crust. I’m horrible at eating doughy pizzas. My eyes are bigger than my stomach, and I stake my claim over much more slices of pizza than I can actually handle. Eventually, I’ll grab a knife and fork and remove all the toppings with surgical precision. The melted cheese, vegetables, and meat will end up in the pit of my stomach while the mountain of pizza dough I’ve left behind, looks back at me with shame. I always feel bad when I’m being wasteful with food.
Crispy texture and less waste, my friends, are the reasons why thin crust pizzas are the way to go. And when you don’t have time to make your own pizza dough, naan is the perfect substitute. They’re usually large enough to hold a lot of toppings and they crisp up like a beauty.
Vegetarian Tandoori Naan Pizza
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup yogurt, I used non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons tandoori paste
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 medium sweet potato
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 whole wheat naan breads
- 2 collard green leaves
- 1/2 medium red pepper, sliced into strips
- 1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir the yogurt, tandoori paste, cumin, and lemon juice. Refrigerate the yogurt mix for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Peel the sweet potato and chop it into 1/2-inch cubes. Toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil, and bake for 23-25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork. Take the sweet potatoes out of the oven, and increase the heat to 400 degrees F. Remove the sweet potatoes and the parchment paper. Line the baking sheet with a fresh piece of parchment paper.
- Stem the leaves of the collard greens from the stalk. Chop them into 1/2-inch thick ribbons.
- Time to assemble the flatbread pizza. Spread the yogurt sauce onto both pieces of naan. Lay the toppings (collard greens, red pepper, sliced red onions, goat cheese, and sweet potatoes) on top of the naan.
- Bake the flatbread pizza for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges of the naan are browned.
- Serve immediately and refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container.
Notes
- Tandoori yogurt sauce adapted from taste.com.au.
- You can always prep the tandoori yogurt sauce and roasted sweet potatoes the night before to cut cooking time the next day.
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
I was having a conversation the other day with a collegaue that the Brits make the best television in all regards, but especially reality- I LOVE LEN!
I love how you combined multiple cultures in this and reminds me of a small Indian restaurant I tried in Brick Lane (which you better go to!) which made pizzas in a tandoori oven. To die for. Although..thick crust.
Lindsay says
haha so true! dry humor at it’s finest!
and i’m all about combining cultures.. hey, I married a kiwi. haha. We love it all, in regards to food of course. Great recipe!
Lisa says
Thanks, Lindsay! Totally random, but New Zealand is definitely one of those places I want to visit before I turn 50! I don’t know why I chose 50, mind you, but there it is.
Lisa says
It’s pretty crazy how many shows in the US are actually just remakes of British shows. Also, I feel like they have mastered the art of knowing when to end a show at it’s peak. The same can’t be said for sooo many US shows I used to watch…
Ahh, I didn’t make it to London this trip! I was busy visiting big stones at Stonehenge. Will definitely keep Brick Lane on my list the next time I go!
Natalie Tamara says
This looks delicious, what a fantastic idea!
That’s funny – one thing I’ve noticed from late-80s surveys (also a game show addict!) is how often ‘newspaper’ comes up as an answer. The 80s equivalent of a tablet or phone to take everywhere, perhaps? 😉
Lisa says
Yes, that’s so true that newspaper used to come up much more often! I’m so glad to know another game show addict!
Farrah says
I never would’ve guessed that ashtrays would be the #1 thing people would take. o_O I wonder what it would be now?
This looks and sounds awesome! <3 I love naan, and have been thinking of using that as the "crust" to my pizzas. Now I have an awesome topping idea to try out! 😀
Lisa says
Towels/soaps HAS to be the number one answer now….at least that’s what I think. Who knows why people take used towels with them.
Dixya says
Ashtrays really??? I would have never guessed.
Lisa says
Right?? That one totally caught me by surprise! Also, matches made it onto the top 5!
Julie | This Gal Cooks says
I’ll take my pizza with this or thick crust but I usually try to go thin to save some calories! Great pizza, Lisa! I love making pizza with naan!
Lisa says
Thanks, Julie! If I’m eating a thick crust pizza, I usually leave the doughy ends to save calories, too!
Beth says
Whoever Len is, I love his little saying! For a second before I read through your whole post I thought Len might be your husband and that he was saying your recipe was a 10.. hahaha!!
Lisa says
Haha, thanks, Beth! Len’s one of my favorite judges on Dancing With the Stars. He comes up with one-liner gems all the time!
rachel@ Athletic Avocado says
Yum! Looks like such and easy and tasty dinner! I need to find me some naan!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
Happy New Year Lisa! This pizza is a stunner! Such gorgeous colors and vibrant flavors!
Leigha @ The Yooper Girl says
Looks so yummy! I’ve been wanting to make a naan pizza! Although I have to disagree with you – I love doughy pizzas 🙂 I do love a good thin crust as well!
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
I don’t think I would’ve ever guessed ashtrays. First I would’ve said soap, then shampoo, then the bible, then blankets. But ashtrays? Thank goodness today is a different world.
I love the idea of naan as a pizza crust! Trader Joe’s has a fantastic frozen naan that frequents our kitchen and bellies. Looks like I have a new way to cook with it! Happy New Year, Lisa.
heather @french press says
thin crust all the way, and I love this veggie loaded version
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yum! So many flavors here! I have been meaning to make some pizza for weeks now! I always loved doughy crust as a kid, but now that I have to have it vegan and GF, it’s easier to get thin crust…like on the tortillas I use!
RFC says
I was reading a book the other day that made a mention of “extinguishing cigarettes and putting your tray in the upright position” when a plane was getting ready to land. I cant’ fathom being stuck on a plane with cigarette smoke,ugh! Anyway, this pizza looks FANTASTIC. I too prefer flat crust. Pinned it among my “must make” list for the future, thank you!
Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite says
Yum these look delicious! I always love healthy, new pizza recipes!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
I’m with you – the thinner the crust, the better! This looks divine, Lisa! My hubby will love it! Thanks!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
Naan pizzas are the best! I love how they yield a crispy crust. With all of these toppings, I am sure that this is a delicious meal!
Robyn @ simply fresh dinners says
So colorful and healthy, Lisa! I love the combination of flavors here and doesn’t goat cheese make everything just perfect? I could just gobble this up right now. Your pics are gorgeous!
Carla says
I make a similar type of pizza using flatbread simply because I’m too lazy to make real pizza dough haha Love this Indian inspired pizza! I love Indian food, so I’ll have to give this a try.
Rachel says
This looks SO SO SO good! Seriously So good! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Taylor @ LiftingRevolution says
Wow, this looks deliciious! My husband and I are obsessed with Indian food! Must try soon
Heather @ FITaspire says
I really thought it would be towels instead of ashtrays, how stinky. 🙂 This pizza looks delicious – love the Nan pizza dough idea!!
Patty @ Reach Your Peak says
This looks delicious! I love making homemade pizza though I’ve never made anything like this. I’ll have to experiment with different types of pizza and try this recipe! I’ve also never cooked with greek yogurt/had it any other way than just as greek yogurt so that will be interesting lol. Thanks for sharing!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
I guess I need to catch up on my British reality shows! I have no idea who Len is 🙂
However, this pizza looks amazing. I love fusion foods too– and sweet potatoes on anything is good with me!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
Funny thing – my friends and I used to steal ash trays from random places in high school. And none of us smoked! The trend must have carried on into the 90s. The pizza looks to die for. ALthough, really, what pizza isn’t?
Sandra Laflamme says
The flavors in this pizza sound incredible. I love tandoori chicken and your photos of this pizza had me desperate to get to the recipe at the end. I have been feeling more adventures in the kitchen lately so may have to give this a try!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
Ashtrays? Really? That’s so bizarre. I mean even when more people were smoking, that’s just a bizarre thing to take! But this recipe looks amazing! I would never have thought of using naan!
Suzy @ The Mediterranean Dish says
Great recipe. Way to incorporate international flavors! Love Len’s British accent.