Healthy Pizza! Cauliflower Crust

Saturday, December 29, 2012



We all have those trigger foods that no matter what...we just can't resist! For me...without question...it's ice cream and PIZZA!!! But every time I give in and indulge, I get an upset stomach and literally have to sleep off my food coma. So instead of beating myself up with guilt, I always try to find healthy versions of the things I love. I posted this before, but I just had to post again because...it's so dang delicious!
I know what youre thinking...cauliflower...really??!?!?
But TRUST ME! Hold onto your hats kids because this baby is delish!!  BY FAR this is the most popular recipe Ive ever posted! so please take pics if you make it and post on my Facebook Wall!! Facebook.com/kheifner

I'll post step by step instructions with the pics and then a recap at the end so it's easy to read while you're making it! xoxoxo



Ingredients
  • 1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon crushed garlic
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • olive oil (optional)
  • pizza sauce, shredded cheese and choice of your toppings*  (I used spinach, peppers, diced tomatoes, mushrooms)

 
 To "rice" the Cauliflower: Take 1 large head of fresh cauliflower, remove stems and leaves, and chop the florets into chunks.
  Add to food processor and pulse until it looks like grain. Do not over-do pulse or you will puree it. (If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the whole head with a cheese grater). 
 Place the riced cauliflower into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes. There is no need to add water, as the natural moisture in the cauliflower is enough to cook itself. One large head should produce approximately 3 cups of riced cauliflower. The remainder can be used to make additional pizza crusts immediately, or can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Or I covered my pizza sheet with parchment paper.

Next! In a medium bowl, stir....
1/2 Teaspoon Garlic (I threw mine in the food processor)

1 Teaspoon Oregano

1/2 Teaspoon garlic salt. I recommend that you use less! this was a bit much for me!

1 Egg, beaten.  I hate that term!! poor egg :(   

Put it all together and what do you get.....

Looks like mashed potatoes!

 Transfer to cookie sheet and pat out into a 9" round,  spritz with olive oil

 Put in over for 15 minutes at 450 degrees
 Remove from oven, add pizza sauce. You can buy or make your own!
 Add pre-cooked toppings! I went with onions, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, spinach & red and yellow peppers
 Cover with Cheese
 Place back in over or place under broiler for a few minutes
Enjoy!!!
Recap!! 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon crushed garlic
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • olive oil (optional)
  • pizza sauce, shredded cheese and choice of your toppings*
Instructions

To "rice" the Cauliflower: Take 1 large head of fresh cauliflower, remove stems and leaves, and chop the florets into chunks. Add to food processor and pulse until it looks like grain. Do not over-do pulse or you will puree it. (If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the whole head with a cheese grater). Place the riced cauliflower into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes. There is no need to add water, as the natural moisture in the cauliflower is enough to cook itself. One large head should produce approximately 3 cups of riced cauliflower. The remainder can be used to make additional pizza crusts immediately, or can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

To Make the Pizza Crust:
  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Add oregano, crushed garlic and garlic salt, stir. Transfer to the cookie sheet, and using your hands, pat out into a 9" round. Optional: Brush olive oil over top of mixture to help with browning.
  3. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.
  4. Remove from oven.
  5. To the crust, add sauce, toppings and cheese. Place under a broiler at high heat just until cheese is melted (approximately 3-4 minutes).
*Note: Toppings need to be precooked since you are only broiling for a few minutes.


Give this recipe a try and tell me what you think in the comments below!

Do you have a healthy pizza recipe? How do you satisfy your pizza cravings?

I'm not the only one to LOVE this pizza!! Check out the ones my friends have made!!


5 comments:

  1. This was GREAT. Made it last night for dinner... I realized after I cooked it that I forgot the egg, and it was still wonderful and held together.I made a bbq chicken version, (used Morning Star grillerz fake chicken), red onion, and jalepenos. YUM! I will definitely try this again and see how it differs with the addition of the egg.

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  2. /drool I am going to have to try this, it looks so good.

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  3. Looks and sounds healthy. Will certainly give it a try.

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  4. Made this tonight and it was fantastic!! I even accidentally used the entire head of cauliflower instead of just 1 cup and it still tasted great!

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