Homemade Pizza, a healthier version

 

Pizza is a favorite treat around our house. We probably could eat it every day without getting tired of it but we do have a problem with pizza. Some of us are lactose intolerant and while the cheese on the pizza makes it fabulous, the cheese also can cause discomfort, later.

My daughter made this homemade pizza this past weekend, with the crust made in the bread machine -- a great, easy way to have pizza at home with the healthier toppings we love (and the toppings that "love" us). It has less fat and more healthy ingredients. Best of all, it really tastes good. We are working on a crust without gluten but we aren't there, yet. The photo above shows the veggie pizza we made.

We also found some pepperonis without nitrates so the meat pizza we made is healthier and very tasty.

Here's the recipe. One suggestion. Make up some crusts, bake them slightly and then freeze the crust. You can then thaw the crust, add the toppings and bake. This makes a very quick and easy meal that is healthier than take-out pizza.

Here's the recipe.

Bread-machine pizza
(Makes 2 twelve-inch pizzas)

Crust
1-1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cups white spelt flour
2 cups whole spelt flour
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon active dry yeast.

Use a bread machine for this recipe. Add ingredients for crust as directed by your particular bread machine. Mine recommends adding all dry ingredients first, then the yeast and wet ingredients last. Set the bread machine on the pizza setting, if you have one, and the dough setting if you don't.

When the dough cycle is completed, remove and stretch dough onto oiled pans or pizza stones. Divide the dough into two equal pieces. We usually have a rectangular-shaped pizza because our pans are rectangular.

Heat oven to 425 degrees.

Toppings:
1 cup pasta or marinara sauce
4 ounces soy cheese shreds, mozzarella flavored
Toppings of your choice:
Chopped tomatoes
Sun dried tomatoes
Chopped green onions
Basil leaves
Spinach leaves
Mushrooms, canned or fresh

Some ingredients like mushrooms and peppers might be better if microwaved for three to five minutes or until slightly soft.

Spread sauce and toppings on pizza. Cover with a layer of shredded soy cheese and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until pizza is lightly browned around the edges and the pizza is fully cooked in the center. Raw vegetables, especially tomatoes might be a little watery and may need a few extra minutes of cooking time.

Serve immediately.

Two of my favorite toppings, fresh spinach and basil leaves. My daughter sometimes piles spinach on top. It is really yummy, but the leaves cook down considerably.