This will sound strange but is a great, filling, treat.

This dish goes under the nom de plume of Meatzza. It is intended to be an alternative to a pizza. It doesn’t really fit this bill but does stand well as an alternative to fast food generically. It is a mixture of a burger, kebab and possibly pizza.

I avoided the recipe for a while, feeling it to be too far outside of the box even for me. However Maggie made it for me and it was a hit and will be on the menu again.

I will share a basic recipe but you can play around with toppings to suit your taste.

Serves 4 – 6

Ingredients:

• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 500g Passata
• 4 tbsp tomato purée
• A pinch of sweetener
• 1 tsp chilli flakes
• 25g Fresh basil plus some leaves to garnish
• 100g no fat / low fat natural cottage cheese
• 200g chestnut mushrooms
• 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow pepper, thinly sliced
• For the base:
• 500g lean beef mince (5% fat or less)
• 250g lean pork mince (5% fat or less)
• 2 tsp dried mixed herbs
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

Method:

1. Put the garlic, onion, Passata, tomato purée, sweetener and chilli flakes in a saucepan and bring to the boil.
2. Turn the heat down, to a medium heat, add the basil and season to your taste. Simmer for 20 minutes or until thickened.
3. Remove from the heat and set aside.
4. Line a pizza dish or large baking tray with non-stick baking parchment.
5. Put all the base ingredients in a bowl, season to your taste and mix well.
6. Press the mixture intos the tin, onto the tray, asking an even round base.
7. Bake in the oven (190 degrees/Gas Mark 5) for 15 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven, drain off any liquid and return to an oven at an increased heat (200 degrees/Gas Mark 7).
9. Once cooked take from the oven and spread the Passata mix across the base.
10. Add dollops of cottage cheese (use Mozzarella if your regime allows) and add mushrooms and peppers.
11. Return to the oven and cook for another 10 minutes. Scatter over fresh basil, cut into wedges and serve with salad and baked/air fried chips.

I must be honest and say that I had a smaller one to myself and this was a great way to eat it.