📝 About This Recipe
Experience a breathtaking marriage of Italian comfort and Thai soul with this Tom Yum Kung Pizza. This fusion masterpiece replaces traditional marinara with a vibrant, aromatic Tom Yum reduction, topped with succulent tiger prawns, earthy oyster mushrooms, and a blend of gooey mozzarella and fragrant kaffir lime. It’s a spicy, sour, and savory explosion that captures the 'Land of Smiles' on a crispy, golden crust.
🥗 Ingredients
The Crust
- 1 ball Pizza Dough (approx. 300g, store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon Cornmeal (for dusting the pizza stone or tray)
Tom Yum Pizza Sauce
- 3 tablespoons Tom Yum Paste (high-quality Thai brand preferred)
- 1/4 cup Coconut Cream (thick consistency for richness)
- 1 teaspoon Fish Sauce (for umami depth)
- 1/2 teaspoon Palm Sugar (to balance the acidity)
Toppings
- 8-10 pieces Large Prawns (peeled, deveined, and butterfly-cut)
- 1/2 cup Oyster Mushrooms (torn into bite-sized strips)
- 1.5 cups Low-Moisture Mozzarella (freshly shredded)
- 6 pieces Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
- 2 pieces Red Bird's Eye Chilies (thinly sliced for extra heat)
- 4 leaves Kaffir Lime Leaves (ribs removed and very finely julienned)
The Finish
- 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro (leaves only)
- 1 wedge Lime (for a final zesty spritz)
- 1 tablespoon Chili Jam (Nam Prik Pao) (drizzled over the top)
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
Preheat your oven to its highest setting, ideally 500°F (260°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven at least 30 minutes prior to baking.
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2
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together the Tom Yum paste, coconut cream, fish sauce, and palm sugar. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens to a spreadable consistency. Remove from heat and let cool.
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3
Prepare your prawns by patting them completely dry with paper towels. This prevents the pizza from becoming soggy during the bake.
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4
On a floured surface, stretch or roll out your pizza dough into a 12-inch circle. Aim for a thinner center and a slightly thicker crust edge.
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5
Dust a pizza peel or baking sheet with cornmeal and carefully transfer the stretched dough onto it.
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6
Spread the cooled Tom Yum sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border for the crust.
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7
Distribute half of the mozzarella cheese over the sauce. This acts as a 'glue' for the toppings.
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8
Arrange the prawns, oyster mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes across the pizza. Sprinkle the sliced bird's eye chilies and half of the julienned kaffir lime leaves.
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9
Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese to protect the delicate prawns from direct high heat.
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10
Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or place the baking tray in the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is charred and golden and the cheese is bubbling.
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11
Carefully remove the pizza from the oven. Immediately drizzle with a little extra chili jam (Nam Prik Pao) while the cheese is hot.
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12
Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves, the remaining kaffir lime strips, and a final squeeze of fresh lime juice across the entire pizza.
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13
Let the pizza rest for 2 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to set. Serve immediately.
💡 Chef's Tips
Always use low-moisture mozzarella; fresh buffalo mozzarella releases too much water for this Thai-style sauce. To make it less spicy, de-seed the bird's eye chilies or omit them entirely, as the Tom Yum paste already carries heat. Ensure your prawns are raw when they go on the pizza; pre-cooked prawns will become rubbery in a high-heat oven. If you can't find kaffir lime leaves, use a teaspoon of fresh lime zest for that essential citrus aroma. For a professional 'leopard-spotted' crust, use a baking steel and turn on the broiler for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair with a crisp, cold Thai Lager or a slightly sweet Riesling to balance the spice. Serve alongside a light Thai Cucumber Salad (Achat) to cleanse the palate between slices. A side of crispy fried Thai basil leaves adds a wonderful textural contrast. Offer extra chili flakes and fish sauce with chopped chilies (Prik Nam Pla) on the side for those who want an authentic heat kick.