Trudy, the veggie girl behind Veggie num num, is an avid recipe hoarder, passionate veggie foodie, cuddler of animals, picnic devotee and certified kitchen addict. Back in 2009, she said goodbye to her life as a library tech in Brisbane, Australia and escaped to the beautiful mountains of New Zealand. Along with her beloved husband and their two furry cat friends, they embarked on a year long journey to start living life a little smaller and slower, taking hold of some of their dreams in the process. Who knew one of those dreams would be writing a vegetarian food blog or how much fun and joy it would bring?
For many of us, our love and appreciation of food extends well beyond the table. People get excited about food: about eating, sharing and adapting recipes, talking about food and cooking for others. There seems an endless creativity and pleasure to be found in food and it’s that creative aspect that I really love: the evolution of a recipe from one kitchen to another, the presentation of food, transforming a simple dish into something special with the pairing of ingredients, flavours, colours and textures.
There is much to be gained by taking an active and curious approach to what we eat, how it’s made and where it comes from. To cook tasty, simple and healthy food at home — nothing too fancy, just good wholesome food — keeps us happy and feeling good. It certainly doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive; a little inspiration and a few fresh ingredients go a long way. Writing for Veggie num num is all about sharing that passion for simple healthy eating. Ultimately enjoying a vegetarian diet goes beyond merely not eating meat and becomes more about what you eat rather than what you don’t eat. It is important to me that I create recipes that work for everyone, not just vegetarians.
I’m lucky that so many people in my life are wonderful cooks; I get totally inspired by everything around me — people, places, the seasons and what others have been cooking. Finding inspiration for healthy recipes is half the fun and the kitchen is a wonderful place to let loose creative energy. Lately we’ve been spending a lot of time out on the front porch, soaking up the warm sunshine and beautiful mountain views. So I’ve been dreaming up simple recipes to enjoy on lazy Sunday afternoons and this delicious Pita Pizza is one of my favourites.
Large tortillas or pita bread are ideal as a simple and quick alternative to preparing pizza dough. They transform a super simple and very tasty pizza into a perfect snack or starter when entertaining, or a light meal accompanied with salad. Layered with potato and kumara (sweet potato) and sprinkled with coconut and sultanas (raisins), the result is a really tasty and spicy veggie pizza. Enjoy it cut into crispy wedges and serve with mango chutney and/or non-dairy or dairy yoghurt.
Indian Spiced Pita Pizza
Preparation time: 30 mins
Serves 4 (as a snack or light meal with salad)
Ingredients
2 large pita bread or tortillas
2 good tsp Marsala curry paste
1 good tsp tomato paste
1 red skinned potato, sliced thinly
1/2 kumara (sweet potato), sliced thinly
1 red chilli, finely diced (optional)
2-3 cups baby spinach
2 tbs shredded coconut
2 tbs sultanas (raisins)
½ tsp paprika
1-2 tbs sunflower oil
Directions
1. Pre-heat the oven to 200°C (390°F).
2. Combine the Marsala curry paste with the tomato paste and spread evenly over the two tortillas.
3. Top the tortillas evenly with the baby spinach, one layer of potato and kumara slices, scatter with the diced chilli, coconut and sultanas, sprinkle with the paprika and drizzle over the oil.
4. Place the prepared pizzas on an oven rack in the pre-heated oven and cook for 15-25 minutes. The cooking time will depend on your own oven. Watch the pizzas carefully and remove once the tortillas are nice and crispy, the potatoes are cooked and toppings are golden.
5. Allow to cool slightly before cutting into wedges to serve. Accompany with non-dairy or dairy yoghurt and chutney for a tasty snack. Also, try serving it with a salad for a light meal.
When I’m not stalking food on the net, I’m often wandering around the pages of Etsy, finding little bits and pieces for food styling and creative inspiration. I fancy the idea of purchasing something made with love and originality that isn’t simply mass produced. So, before I go, I’d love to share a little collection of some of my favourite Etsy finds…
[From top left : 1. Every kitchen needs a few iconic Pyrex items, like this gorgeous set of crazy daisy mixing bowls from TheFancyLamb 2. These geometrically redecorated vintage dinner plates from Ninainvorm are like, amazing. 3. alexandraferguson's shop is both witty and quirky; I couldn't help but share her oatmeal and black recycled felt appliqué pillow. Eat your veggies, people! 4. Ceramics featuring clever and quirky hand-drawn illustrations: yes, please! This sleeping cat serving plate is a favourite from jimbobart.]
Check out more recipes from Trudy on Veggie num num. Do you have a favorite cooking or kitchen design blog? Tell us about it in the comments below!
124 comments
Sign in to add your ownblueridgewoodworking says:
Oh...I'll be cooking tonight. How's your cats adjusting? Great Story!!!
1 year ago
oldworldprimitives says:
Mmm - my mouth is watering now! This sounds vegi-licious, I am going to try making it this week.
1 year ago
rozzie says:
Wow looks so delishious!! Thanks for the recipie and tips!
1 year ago
iroirocrafts says:
Wow this is a lovely post! I think I may be having that for lunch tomorrow ;) Many people do not understand vegetarians, but they don't just have to eat tasteless food! This is an example of delicious vegetarian food, thanks.
1 year ago
RedorGrayArt says:
such a colorful dish .. flour tortillas are a staple in our house!!
1 year ago
patchesnthings says:
This looks delicious!! I will certainly try this.
1 year ago
Jusadreamin says:
Looks good thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
bylynnkrestel says:
oh yum! want to try it!! my fav foodie blog - for now... http://www.davidlebovitz.com/ an american in paris!!
1 year ago
SewnNatural says:
YUM! love your approach and delectable-looking recipe. thank you!
1 year ago
heidiburton says:
Wow, I'm in love with the Veggie num num website now, always looking for a good veggie recipe to add to my limited collection! Love the way you can browse recipes by photograph on the site, as you don't really know what you're hungry for until you see it. Thanks so much for sharing!!
1 year ago
Mclovebuddy says:
love the flavors. will definitely try the recipe. :)
1 year ago
babybayrs says:
Very important, eat your veggies.
1 year ago
jibbyandjuna says:
We are definitely making that pizza!
1 year ago
VivaGailBeads says:
looks wonderful!
1 year ago
plantersworld says:
VVVVVVVVEEEEERRRRRRYYYYYYYY NICE
1 year ago
heatherberry says:
Wow! Sounds so good!! I'll be heading to the store for ingredients later...
1 year ago
TwinkleStarCrafts says:
Lovely article. Good for you for following your dreams. The recipe looks fantastic!
1 year ago
KeepEvolving says:
Delish!!
1 year ago
juliani says:
this looks great! i will try it out for tomorrow's lunch :)
1 year ago
maggiemaevintage says:
always looking for a simple, healthy recipe..thanks!
1 year ago
meshalo says:
NO MEAT 4 ME THAT LOOKS GOOD
1 year ago
bhangtiez says:
Thank You so much for this. My son just stopped eatting meat and we needed some kid-friendly veggie ideas to give him lots of good nutrients. This will be our dinner tomorrow. Yum!
1 year ago
rosebudshome says:
It takes time to convert, I am slowly converting to a veggie diet.
1 year ago
Patriacontemporary says:
Very Interesting!
1 year ago
TulleMeAboutIt says:
Pizza is an addiction for me. I am so bringing this on my taste buds. THANK YOOUUUUU.
1 year ago
ThreeShinyJs says:
I am literally salivating over that pizza!!!!
1 year ago
Xenotees says:
Yum!!
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
What a great looking pizza! It makes me want to try it right away!
1 year ago
KMalinka says:
Yummy pizza:O)
1 year ago
ShannaMicheleDesigns says:
Just went veg a few months ago. This blog is fantastic, thanks soooo much for sharing it!
1 year ago
myvintagecrush says:
Yum! And no meat! Love!
1 year ago
Colettesboutique says:
This look sooo appetizing!
1 year ago
KiniArt says:
This looks so awesome - Thanks for sharing the recipe!
1 year ago
AvianInspirations says:
wow. this sounds amazing.
1 year ago
iamnotawallflower says:
Looks delicious! Eating veggie does'nt have to mean eating boring as you have shown in this lush recipe.Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
paramountvintage says:
holy smokes! YUM!!
1 year ago
choisette says:
the first reason i chose to become a vegetarian is because i'm morally opposed to eating animals. the second reason i'm a vegetarian is to drive my omnivore friends crazy.
1 year ago
exclusivelyhannah says:
Great advice! as a chef in training i loved it! :D
1 year ago
genisepark says:
oh wow does that look good.
1 year ago
CatzillaCrafts says:
mmmm must...make...pita...pizza...tonight...! =^_^=
1 year ago
spoonfulzine says:
this IS Veggi num nuM!!!!!!
1 year ago
lara514 says:
love veggie num num!! Great recipes!!!
1 year ago
CarryTheWord says:
My mouth is watering! Yum!
1 year ago
elmstreetmarket says:
Thank you so much for sharing this! Can't wait to try it... and the rest of the recipes on your blog. And I'm not even vegetarian.
1 year ago
shannybo says:
Num Num!
1 year ago
HandmadeHandsome says:
That definitely looks num num. Marsala is something else then Massala though ;) Best to put the Massala on the pita and the Marsala next to it. Thanks for sharing your story. I love New Zealand.
1 year ago
KettleConfections says:
This looks so healthy and delicious - the perfect vegan pizza! Wish I can find such healthy and tasty foods in my local pizzeria.
1 year ago
mietteshop says:
This is wonderful.. thank you for sharing. I will definitely be trying this pizza recipe this weekend. My husband is from India! :)
1 year ago
lindavidual says:
Love the idea of combining curry flavours on a pizza. I'll be trying this recipe on a gluten free flat bread. Thanks : )
1 year ago
AntiGenre says:
So... hungry..... Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
DalkullanJewelry says:
That pizza looks delicious!
1 year ago
TipsyTimeMachine says:
Sounds yummy! My partner makes wholewheat pizza dough from scratch, a pita is a good idea when we want a quick pizza and don't have time for rising. Our favourite toppings are sundried tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts and feta cheese.
1 year ago
BlkSheepProductions says:
Thank you for sharing! Food is such an important part of our lives -- sharing, learning, taking care of ourselves...not to mention delicious! Here's one of our favorite food blogs http://www.101cookbooks.com/ Great recipes and luscious photos, too!
1 year ago
modflo says:
yay for veggie food, and for those who share their passion for it with others...this recipe looks gorgeous. can't wait to try it...thank you.
1 year ago
sweetbestiary says:
mmmm....I'm vegetarian and LOVE pizza and indian food...that means: this is the perfect recipe for me!thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
secretjewellz says:
Yummo! Loved this article.
1 year ago
CreativeKismet says:
Yum! looks scrumptious!
1 year ago
odiliafu says:
Yummy! Looks great!
1 year ago
BreatheCouture says:
That looks SO delicious! :)
1 year ago
minerallove says:
This looks sooo tasty! I will have to try this recipe. :) Thanks Trudy!!
1 year ago
agatsijoias says:
Hi, thank you so much for sharing. From now on I am going to start following your blog. I recently became a vegetarian, and I am constantly looking for delicious vegetarian recepies that can please the enteire family!! http://www.agatsijoias.etsy.com http://www.agatsijewelryline.com
1 year ago
DamaUSA says:
Yummi. I love indian food. I am trying to become vegetarian. Its hard but its so much more healthier.
1 year ago
rosebankave says:
Thanks for the yummy idea...how inspiring!
1 year ago
SwirlyGarden says:
I MUST try this recipe... and probably all the others on your blog. Thank you!
1 year ago
myzoetrope says:
YUM! I love her blog! And hooray for more veg recipes on Etsy!
1 year ago
sweetjane says:
You never know where life will take you, glad you found your niche!
1 year ago
2TrickPony says:
like it!
1 year ago
mazedasastoat says:
Yaaay... pita pizza has been a favourite in my house for years! I use the small pitas, then everyone can have whatever toppings they want!
1 year ago
bloomerie says:
Must. Get. Tongue. Off. Screen. {that looks delicious!}
1 year ago
girltuesdayjewelry says:
Looks so delish! Bloomerie's comment made me laugh!
1 year ago
JoviesJewels says:
That looks wonderful, yum!!!
1 year ago
AZCreativeStudio says:
Love it!!!
1 year ago
theartlyons says:
Love your story and love that you shared your recipe!
1 year ago
MeAndBoo says:
Vegie Num Num is great, happy to see this post about it! I'm not really into cooking but I am a vegie and find it hard to find food I like. I am going to try the lentils on toast soon...
1 year ago
mietteLove says:
Thanks for the recipe! Sounds delicious.
1 year ago
ikabags says:
Yesss ! this looks delicious! I will certainly try this.
1 year ago
fromsoul says:
I'll try it this weekend! very good story!
1 year ago
axelhoney says:
yum! I am so dreading my first Thanksgiving as a Vegan. It's not going to be easy, I'm sure everyone's going to gripe about it. I'm definitely going to have to brown bag it! I think there is cream or butter in every single thing my aunt makes!
1 year ago
stephanielevy says:
oh yum! this looks absolutely wonderful! I'm hungry now :) thank you for sharing and a great new veggie blog to discover!
1 year ago
alopexia says:
I love your blog. I was just thinking about your blog today, because I was making your veggie stock!
1 year ago
VerseauVintage says:
This looks delicious! I'm going to try it out this weekend. Thanks for the recipe!
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Looks great and really simple which is fab : )
1 year ago
ALittleDot says:
oh.. looks so YUMMMM
1 year ago
sadiie says:
sounds delicious, must try
1 year ago
Laniec1 says:
I would have never thought to put potatos on a pizza, but it sounds great, I am also wondering what it would taste like to add parsnips or turnips for a little extra spicey touch. I love dicing sweet p., parsnips, turnips, carrots, and onions, lots of great herbs and a bit of olive oil and roasting for a root vegitable dish.....
1 year ago
sunsetsandtea says:
I'm going to check out her blog!! That pizza sounds yummy.
1 year ago
SimpleTraditions says:
Oh my goodness that looks so good! I love those vintage Pyrex bowls. They bring back happy memories!
1 year ago
EverybodyElse says:
Sounds delish. I'm sending this to a friend!
1 year ago
Gynx says:
Sounds delicious, and it's already vegan so I don't have to convert it!
1 year ago
BerryTrifle says:
I love Indian food, and I try to eat vegetarian as often as possible - even if my husband loves anything meaty! And I often make 'pita pizzas', so I'll be sure to try your recipe very soon!
1 year ago
Morado says:
Interesting mix of ingredients! going to try it out :o)
1 year ago
PixieChicago says:
Just recently became a vegetarian so I would love any recipes people have to share, I am changing my life & eating healthier. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
1 year ago
thedandelioness says:
Yummy!!! This will be my dinner tonight...
1 year ago
SanibelsTreasures says:
That pizza sounds delicious!!! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
CamilleMarie says:
Love good, healthy, vegetarian recipes! Thanks for the article
1 year ago
nowonder says:
Looks great! Cheeseless piza is a much healthier choice!
1 year ago
chefrepublic says:
What a great idea. Indian flavors are so amazing, and fun to apply to different dishes. My favorite vegetarian Indian dish is Saag Paneer, with big chunks of Paneer cheese, yum. I made it for my blog a few months ago. Check it out! http://thechefrepublic.com/?p=244
1 year ago
shopgoodgrace says:
oooh! Trudy! This looks *wonderful*!! Can't wait to try it. :) Thank you for sharing.
1 year ago
LoveButtons says:
That sounds so good! I am definitely going to try it :p
1 year ago
carlossantiago says:
wow! that pizza looks delicious! i love a great veggie pizza!
1 year ago
theguineagirls says:
guinea guinea guinea guinea
1 year ago
WendyTorrance says:
I can't wait to make this. Thanks for keeping it simple for amateurs like myself. XOXO.
1 year ago
ZahrasJewels says:
I'm not a vegetarian....but every once in awhile, I enjoy a meal with just vegetables and no meat. Thank you for the inspiration and information :-).
1 year ago
memawsvintage says:
I'm vegetarian also. Pizza are great. The options of toppings are endless. My favorites are usually a clean out the frig. pizza. Looking forward to trying your recipe. Looks delish.
1 year ago
hrblexpressions says:
Sounds very yummy! Can't wait to make it!
1 year ago
CarlottArt says:
Thank you! This looks so good!:)
1 year ago
refab says:
Yum!!! I am half Indian and cook Indian food all the time, so excited to have a fun new recipe... keep up the good work!!
1 year ago
JGallowayDesigns says:
I can't wait to make this. I've already passed it along to my daughter in Beijing.
1 year ago
crazyhappenings says:
this sounds delicious. i just came back from a trip to india and am still in the mood of masala!
1 year ago
KattyKinns says:
Yum! I'll definitely be trying this out thanks for the recipe xoxo
1 year ago
loveliette says:
that looks insanely good..i must try it out!
1 year ago
PucksWildApothecary says:
NEED to try that - gonna check out the blog, always looking for more veggie recipes!:)
1 year ago
meadowmuffin2010 says:
Always looking for new meatless ideas. Thanks
1 year ago
dixieechicken says:
this recipe is absolutely delicious! made it with my boyfriend tonight and he and i both loved it and will be making it again sometime soon. we used trader joe's tandori naan is substitution of the pita bread and it really enhanced the flavor
1 year ago
PaperPicker says:
im gonna have to try this - i love indian food and spicy food.
1 year ago
ednaandwilhemina says:
This looks delicious, and I'm always happy to see vegan food getting some love.
1 year ago
NestingBluebird says:
This looks so delicious! Your blog is lovely~ I will be following it :)
1 year ago
rubybeantoes says:
I love this blog, thank you so much! We will definitely be having this with dinner tonight! LOVE IT!
1 year ago
BlacknickSculpture says:
Thanks for posting this recipe! My wife was just talking about trying to make a homemade pizza.
1 year ago
beadfreaky says:
Thanks for sharing this recipe! The spice combinations will be really interesting and fun. Love the focus on the veggie toppings.
1 year ago
JodyW says:
Hi Trudy - just made this for dinner tonight and it was very successful. Made with tortilla but will try with pita next time. Cheers, Jody (Auckland, NZ)
1 year ago
ferecire says:
Sour Cream soup for vegetarians and some Weight loss advices
1 year ago
nehajain81 says:
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I am pure vegetarian and my husband is tired of eating indian food every day. This recipe sound so fresh, especially the raisins on pizza! That is something -:)
278 days ago
mia lopez says:
Learn to make all types of pizza, explore pizza and your health, and delve into pizza history from learnaboutpizza site!
109 days ago