Vegan Margherita Pizza With Cashew Mozzarella

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1. 1Step 1: Preheat the oven to 435 deg F (225 C). Soak the cashews in hot boiling water if you haven't already.
2. 2Step 2: Pizza Base: Mix the warm water with yeast and 1 tbsp flour. Mix well and let sit for 2 mins.
3. 3Step 3: Mix the salt and semolina into the rest of the flour. Add the flour and oil to the yeast mixture and mix. Mix till just about combined. Let it sit for a minute.
4. 4Step 4: Oil your hands and bring the dough together till just about smooth. Use a tsp or so more flour (or water if you used wheat flours), if needed. Don't knead it longer than a few seconds. Cover with a towel and let it sit near the preheating oven for 15 mins.
5. 5Step 5: Cashew Mozzarella Cream: Drain the cashews. Add to a blender with the rest of the ingredients. Blend until smooth. Add to a skillet over medium heat. Cook to thicken evenly. 4 to 6 mins. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking at the bottom and lumping.
6. 6Step 6: Optionally, you can place dollops of the cashew mozzarella cream in briny ice water (1 cup water mixed with 1 tablespoon salt and some ice) to make mozzarella balls to use in Caprese sandwiches or elsewhere. You can store it in a closed container in the brine.
7. 7Step 7: Prep the pizza sauce: Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Taste and adjust salt and flavor. Add a pinch of sweetener if needed.
8. 8Step 8: Oil your hands and transfer pizza dough to a parchment lined baking sheet. Using some flour, shape the dough into a flat ball, then spread using your hands. Keep spreading to make a large pizza or make 2 small pizzas. You want to spread the dough thin, as it will rise quite a bit during baking and make a bready crust if it was too thick to begin with.
9. 9Step 9: Spread the pizza sauce all over. Add some fresh basil and place tomato slices over the basil. Sprinkle a pinch of salt. (You can also add other thinly sliced veggies at this point). Add spoonfuls of the mozzarella cream on the pizza.
10. 10Step 10: Drizzle a tsp of extra virgin olive oil. Then bake for 13 to 14 mins. (Broil for a minute if needed). Remove from the oven and add fresh basil and pepper flakes. Slice and serve.