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Vegan Pizza by the Chobe River

Any vegan will tell you that it can be tricky finding vegan-friendly options while traveling. However, Gondwana Collection always has the needs of their guests in mind, even in remote corners of Africa’s Eden. In the northeast of Namibia, in the Zambezi Region, one will find Chobe River Camp just next to the rippling Chobe River. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a vegan pizza in Africa!

With the feeling of being submerged in nature, the tented chalets on wooden stilts elevate the seclusion and distance from the hustle of daily life. Enjoying the tranquillity of the Namibian version of the Serengeti, one can witness zebras, herds of elephants and even buffalo while enjoying a drink on the deck. Chobe River Camp is a place teeming with wildlife and is the place to be to spot some of the region’s most sought-after bird species.

Chobe River Camp offers an array of boat cruises, day trips, excursions to Victoria Falls, guided walks and bird drives. One can also learn more about the local tribe Masubia, traditions, and day-to-day activities.

The rich, local soil conditions make this an ideal place for fresh produce to be grown and sourced. Being part of the Gondwana Collection, Chobe River Camp guests can be confident that their produce and meat are of the best quality, organic and always fresh. This is helped by the Gondwana Self-Sufficiency Centre (SSC). It is a farming operation including pigs and its own on-site butchery and smokehouse.

The Chobe River Camp has an extraordinary culinary team catering to guests’ needs. One of these needs is the desire for vegan dishes. The sound of a vegan pizza smothered in tangy tomato sauce with fresh tomatoes, basil, and melted vegan mozzarella will make anyone’s mouth water.

Margherita Vegan Pizza

Vegan Pizza Dough Ingredients:
    • 500g white bread flour, plus additional for dusting
    • 1 tsp dried yeast
    • 1 tsp caster sugar
    • 1 ½ tbsp olive oil, plus extra

  Vegan Pizza Sauce Ingredients
    • 100ml jarred passata
    • 1 tbsp basil – ideally chopped from fresh or 1/2 tsp dried basil and oregano
    • 1 crushed garlic clove

  Vegan Pizza Topping Ingredients
    • 200g grated vegan mozzarella-style cheese
    • 2 thinly sliced tomatoes
    • Fresh basil or oregano leaves, chilli oil and vegan parmesan to serve (optional)

  Vegan Pizza Method:
  1. Put the flour, yeast and sugar in a large bowl.
  2. To proof the yeast, measure 150ml of cold water and equal parts boiling water into a jug before adding the yeast and waiting or it to foam.
  3. Then, add the oil and 1 tsp salt to the warm water, before pouring it over the flour. Stir well with a spoon, then knead the mixture together in the bowl until it forms a soft and slightly sticky dough. Making dough isn’t always the same, so if it’s too dry, add a splash of cold water.
  4. Dust a little flour on your clean work surface and knead the dough for 10 mins. Then, put it back in the mixing bowl and cover it with oiled cling film or a damp tea towel.
  5. Leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hr or until it has doubled in size.
  6. In the meantime, heat your oven to 220C/200C/gas 9 and put a baking sheet or pizza stone on the top shelf to heat up.
  7. Once your dough has risen, knock it back by punching it a couple of times with your fist before kneading it quickly on a floured surface. It should be springy and a lot less sticky.
  8. Put all the ingredients for the tomato sauce together in a bowl, and season with salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar to taste. Set aside until needed.
  9. Divide the dough into 2 or 4 pieces (depending on whether you want to make large or small pizzas), shape it into balls and flatten each piece out as thin as you can get it with a rolling pin or using your hands. Make sure the dough is well dusted with flour to stop it from sticking.
  10. Dust another preheated baking sheet with flour before putting a pizza base on top – spread 4-5 tbsp of the tomato sauce, some sliced tomatoes and grated vegan cheese.
  11. Drizzle a little olive oil and bake in the top rack of your preheated oven for 10-12 mins or until the base is puffed up and the vegan cheese is melted, bubbling and golden in patches.
  12. Serve the pizzas with fresh basil leaves or chilli oil as you like, and sprinkle over vegan parmesan just after baking.
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