Saturday, July 25, 2015

Cauliflower Crusted Mini Pizzas




individual sized pizza round topped with a slice of tomato and cheese

Low carb individual sized gluten free mini pizza crusts are great to eat for a healthy lunch, dinner, or snacks. Once you get the hang of ricing cauliflower in your food processor ( very easy in 5 minutes) , this recipe is a cinch! Cauliflower is a low carb yet nutrient rich vegetable that you can substitute for grain in most recipes and it tastes great this way.

 I can make these mini pizza crusts without using any flour. That means I can eat not only a healthier crust but also eliminate the high carbohydrate content of regular dough .
That works for me!

The recipe makes 12 mini pizza crusts. I calculate that each crust is just 1 Point Plus on WW+ the topping. Yes,- I'm back counting points on Weight Watchers after a long time partying! I put on some weight, struggling with my clothes, and realize it's time for me to start counting those points again and eating more consciously.

 I need to start my day with a food plan. It's just that simple- otherwise the little kid in me can make some very poor choices.

 Cauliflower pizza crusts fit into a healthy diet plan. They can be topped any way you like them.
 They are gluten free and grain free.

These are some of the toppings I've used for my mini pizza crusts :
  • Marinara sauce, shredded cheese, mushrooms
  • Chopped summer tomato, red onion, chopped cucumber
  • Large slice of tomato covered in shredded cheese and a basil leaf
There is no limit to your creativity when it comes to toppings- top the crusts with whatever you like!


Author:      Judee Algazi
Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
Bake Time: 15 minutes + 5 minutes again
Equipment: Food Processor
Preheat Oven: 450 degrees
Makes : 12 mini pizza crusts

Ingredients: 

1 head of cauliflower chopped ( then riced in the food processor- see below)
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly cracked pepper to taste
optional: add garlic powder is desired

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

How to rice your cauliflower : 
Place 1/2 of the cut up cauliflower in a food processor using the metal blade. Whiz a 2-3 times very quickly ( on off , on off, on off) until the cauliflower resembles rice. Remove from the processor and place in a large mixing bowl. Repeat with the other half of the cauliflower.

Cook Your Cauliflower whether you make your own or buy it in a bag 
Place the riced cauliflower in a large skillet  that has been sprayed with olive oil, and cook on med high for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently so it doesn't burn. Taste cauliflower to see if it is cooked but not overcooked. Remove from heat and return to the mixing bowl. Add the eggs, shredded mozzarella cheese, salt and pepper and mix well with a spoon.

Bake Your Pizza Crusts: 
Cover two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Spray well with cooking oil spray.
Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop out 12 scoops onto the cookie sheets .
Flatten each scoop with the palm of your hand to make a small round circle.
Place in oven (450 degrees) for 15 minutes until the pizza crusts begin to brown.

Remove from oven. Place toppings on Pizza crusts and put back in the oven for 5 more minutes.

Or ** Remove from oven, allow to cool, and save for later. Top and heat just before you would like to eat them.



snow white chopped cauliflower and food processor



mounds of cauliflower on parchment papper
Scoop 1/4 cup of the cauliflower and egg mixture into mounds onto cookie sheets

end result of 8 mini pizza crusts after baking
Flatten with palm of hand and bake for 15 minutes


My Notes: 
1. If you don't want to or can't use a food processor, you can grate the cauliflower with a hand grater. It will be more time consuming. 

2.  Prepare and bake the crusts in advance for the 15 minutes and then top them and bake again for 5-10 minutes before eating

3. My parchment paper is brown because I use an all natural parchment that has not been chlorinated.

4. These pizza crusts are not as crunchy as a non grain crust, but still really work well. Try my plantain pizza crust for a crispy crust


Will be linking this post to my
My blog carnival list











Blog Author: Judee Algazi
Pin It Please leave a comment so I know you stopped by. Scroll down to the end of the post and click on comments.


18 comments:

  1. Great healthy way to enjoy pizza and vegetables - I love it! Thanks for linking up with us at #AnythingGoes and see you next week.

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  2. What a great healthy idea :) they look tasty..

    Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays,pinning :)

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    Replies
    1. Clairejustine,
      They are so delicious and interesting. I use them as a pizza topping or even like a tortilla ..for GF

      Delete
  3. Visiting from the Recipe Swap. These look really good. I am going to have to try your cauliflower crust recipe. It is amazing what you can do with cauliflower and it is so good for you. Thank you for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Cauliflower is the most versatile vegetable for mimicking starch like foods.

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  4. This looks tasty! I'd not have thought to use cauliflower in this way, but what a great idea. Plus, I love cauliflower! Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. Oh Pattie,
      You will never believe how wonderful the cauliflower is made this way. Hope you do get a chance to try it.

      Delete
  5. the son is doing a low carb diet so this might be something he would like :) he LOVES pizza and it's been so hard to give that up. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

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    Replies
    1. This pizza is a softer version .. try my plantain pizza for a crust!

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  6. I have made cauliflower pizza but I really like the simplicity of the tomato and cheese on top. This is the season when tomatoes taste rich and filled with flavor. It is the time not to dilute them and this is a perfect recipe for just that.

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    Replies
    1. Chaya,
      I liked the idea of a nice juicy Jersey tomato plopped right on top! You are right it is tomato season

      Delete
  7. I have never tried ricing but cauliflower is one of my most favorite things to eat, so i will definitely give it a try.

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  8. Yum! Cauliflower pizza crust is so great for us low carbers!

    Thanks for sharing with Waste Not Want Not Wednesday!

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  9. Hi Judee,
    I just love the Cauliflower Crusted Pizza, it looks awesome! We always enjoy your post at Full Plate Thursday and thanks so much for sharing them with us. Hope you have a great week and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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  10. What a deliciously, healthy idea, Judee! I love mini pizzas but I've never made them with a gluten free crust before. Love the idea of using the cauliflower like this. Sharing! Thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul hop.

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  11. What an interesting idea you have with the Cauliflower Crusted Pizza, sounds good! Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!

    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino
    The Chicken Chick
    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sounds delish! We love cauliflower, but have yet to try it like this! Thank you for sharing at the Make it Pretty party at The Dedicated House! Hope you have a lovely weekend! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are appreciated. I love knowing who is stopping by to read my posts! Have a great day.

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