Pizza Party

Cauliflower Pizza Crust!

(First things first, I did not get the idea from Pinterest. Give me more credit than that!)

I was actually inspired to try a cauliflower pizza after reading a book about eliminating wheat from the diet. Some believe wheat is controversial in its role in nutrition-related disease and weight gain... but you know what's never controversial? Vegetables! Thank goodness... because there are too many to try and they are just too delicious. Now in pizza crust-form!

You would never know I'm vegetables on top of vegetables.

I've made this pizza multiple times over this past winter, and loved it every time. Most recently, I made it with my friend Karen and my mom when she visited last month. Believe it or not, this sheet pan fed 4 people. There were zero pieces leftover. Who cares?! Eat as much as you like... it's almost all veggies!

 

Cauliflower-Crust Pizza

Steam 1 head cauliflower until soft. Mash it up. Add 1 egg, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella or Italian cheese blend (I use part-skim). Spread into a greased, 8-in square pan and bake at 400 for 20 minutes.

*Note* Go big. Use 2 heads cauliflower, 2 eggs, plus the oil and cheese and spread in a 9x13 or slightly larger sheet pan to feed a few more.

When the crust has set after baking, top with your favorite toppings. Our family classic includes sauteed onions directly on the crust before covering with marinara sauce. (I'm so glad I was with Karen... she whipped up her own pizza sauce in minutes with canned tomatoes from last year's garden bounty. Otherwise I just use any good jarred sauce.) So far we've got onions, then sauce, ok, now shredded cheese. Sauteed spinach, mushrooms, and red bell pepper. Cover those veggies with a dusting of Parmesan, black pepper, dried basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes or so, until cheese browns and bubbles... as seen here!

Smitten by cauliflower

This is more of a knife-and-fork pizza... but I am telling you, the crust has GREAT flavor, even if you can't hold it in your hand. It is still delicious reheated, which I love as a post-run late breakfast on the weekend.

 

Shake up your pizza routine and give cauliflower a chance!