Monday, January 30, 2012

cauliflower pizza

I've been attempting to make vegetable based pizza crusts for a few years now. I attempted a zucchini crust recipe a few times a couple of years ago, and the first attempt was delicious! it stuck to the pan really bad though, so I figured I'd made it too thin. Every subsequent attempt was not great to say the least...
Cut to a few weeks ago, I was reading on a different blog and was inspired to try the cauliflower crust pizza. I  augmented the recipe a little, and so far I've made it 3 times, and it was so good!! the first time I forgot to cook the cauliflower after I riced it, but it was OK, just a bit raw-ish tasting. I used an olive oil base and topped with brie, Gorgonzola, and mushrooms.  The second attempt was about the same, and I added sauteed french shallots. This last time I made it, I switched to a tomato based sauce and topped that with mozzarella balls, olives and mushrooms. I was only able to snap a picture this last time because it was eaten so fast the first two times! The coolest thing about it is, there's less than half the calories of a typical slice of plain pizza IN THE WHOLE FRIGGING THING! (minus the toppings of course ;))


anyway, the crust is super easy, here's the basic recipe:

1C cauliflower, riced (grate, then microwave for 8 min)
1C mozzarella, shredded
1  egg, beaten
1t dried oregano, or alternative spice mix (I used the salt free pizza spice mix from the bulk section at central market)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 t garlic salt or other flavored salt (I used truffle salt)
olive oil

spray a cookie sheet with non stick spray, or spread olive oil, thick and even over the whole surface. pre-heat oven to 450. in a largish bowl, stir together cauliflower, egg and cheese. add spices and salt and mix thoroughly. transfer to sheet and pat into desired shape with your hands. brush with olive oil. bake at 450 for about 15 min. remove and loosen from sheet with a spatula, careful to not break the crust!! 
top with whatever your heart desires and pop it back in the oven for 4-5 min until topping cheese is melted (I usually boost the heat up a bit too at this point, but you don't have to) 

this is enough for one pizza, which, with salad, was enough for me and my husby.

easy peasy!!

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