Pizza is one of my favorite foods. Since i was a child, Friday evening was made for pizza, which at that time was Chef Boyardee. I’ve continued that tradition with my own family with home made pizza. However, during this Optavia optimal health journey, my husband and i have been enduring cauliflower crust pizza. it’s not bad, but it’s still not my cheese stuffed crust pizza.
We don’t have time to eat out, so it’s much easier to for me to make our meals at home. Plus, i can control all the ingredients used.
Now this is my made up lean and green meal for two people. Whether or not it perfectly meets the Optavia program, i’m not sure. I’ll leave that for you to determine.
As always, try to use locally grown or produced, organic, or home grown.
INGREDIENTS:
For the Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups riced cauliflower
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup (divided) full fat shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- cooking spray
Toppings:
- 2 oz cooked beef sausage (lean home made)*
- 1/4 cup no sugar added tomato sauce
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 2 Portabella sliced mushrooms (1.3 oz)
- 2 tablespoons sliced black olives
*i use our home raised grass finished ground beef processed to 90% lean. For sausage, our preference, is 2 teaspoons sage, 2 teaspoons sea salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper. Blend well. Best flavor is to allow to meld for several hours. I mix up several pounds and refreeze in 1 lb packages.
DIRECTIONS:
‘Rice’ the cauliflower (it may only take a half a head if it’s large) in some sort of chopper, then simmer it in a dry iron skillet, stirring ever so often. A good portion of the moisture needs to steam away. Use very, very low heat and no lid. It’ll take 20 minutes or more. Then allow to cool.
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Add two eggs, the Italian seasoning, salt, and 1/4 cup cheese and stir well. Plop the mixture onto pan sprayed with cooking spray, then press into a 9 inch pie. Bake for 20 minutes.
Top the cooked crust with pizza sauce, Parmesan cheese, mushrooms, olives, remaining cheese. Bake until heated through and cheese is melted – about 7-8 minutes.
Slice and enjoy!
tauna
