Beans on a Pizza.YES, it IS a THING

People have asked me HOW I incorporate BEANS in my pizza. People have also wondered WHY I incorporate BEANS into my pizza. 

Let's start with the WHY ...

I add beans to my pizza to add nutrients. Beans provide protein, fiber, iron, folate, potassium, and magnesium and CONTAIN LITTLE TO NO trans-fat, sodium, and cholesterol. 

 

Now the HOW ...

I often take a cup of beans and give them a rough mash and layer the beans on the bottom of the crust. At this point I may add some spices to layer in additional flavors based on the other toppings I will use. 

 

Pizza with Beans ... Layers of Flavor and Texture

• After you add the layer of beans to your chosen crust, add the cheese or vegan cheese of choice
• Follow with sauteed vegetables ( I used onions, garlic, sweet potato, and oyster mushrooms)

 

• This time I added raw zucchini spirals for extra texture

 

• Top with some additional cheese

 

• Press down and bake according to crust directions

 

Crowning Glory Pizza: King Oyster Mushroom Pizza

Today my blank canvas was a gluten free pizza crust by Udi's. 

After visiting the local farmer's market and purchasing some great vegetables, I decided to make a gluten free pizza and a side salad for dinner. I made a gluten free, vegetarian meal using ingredients sourced at the market and a few from the store. The Udi's crust contains eggs, otherwise the meal would be vegan. Substitute a different gluten free crust for a gluten free, vegan meal. The salad contains greens from my yard as well as raw nuts, raw seeds,  and dried fruit.

Ingredients:

1 cup diced oyster or king oyster/trumpet mushrooms
6 cloves of garlic - diced
1 1/2 cup diced onions and vegetables (I used zucchini and sweet potatoes)
Oil to sautee the vegetables (I use oilve or avocado)
1 cup cheese (dairy or non-dairy)
OPTIONAL: crushed red pepper
OPTIONAL: 1/2 cup mashed white beans or hummus

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to temperature recommended for the crust 
• Sautee the vegetables until tender (cover with a top to add moisture if desired)
• Crush the beans if you are using and add a thin layer to the crust (or add hummus)
• If you are not lining the crust, add the vegetable mixture (removing any excess liquid)
• Optional .... sprinkle with crushed red pepper for extra spice 
• Cook in oven until cheese melts and crust slightly browns (check crust instructions as this step is between 10-15 minutes based on crust and depth of toppings. I tend to pile my pizza high with veggies so it takes a bit longer to cook than the package suggestion.

HINT: While the pizza is in the oven I make a salad to enjoy with the pizza if I wish some additional food.

Serving:

1/2 pizza per person

Gluten Free Pizza Featuring Oyster Mushrooms

Today my blank canvas was a Schar Gluten Free Pizza Crust that I purchased at The Gluten Free Mall. I added fresh vegetables that I acquired at the La Jolla Farmer's Market. I enjoyed the pizza with a side salad made with lettuce from my garden and cabbage from the farmer's market.

I am excited to start using oyster mushrooms in recipes. They are high in zinc, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, folic acid, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin B-1 and vitamin B-2. These amazing mushrooms lower blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and have an anti-inflammatory effect on your body.

 

From start to finish the meal took less than 30 minutes to make.

The first thing I did was get out all of the ingredients and pre-heat the oven to 410.

Ingredients:

1. Oyster Mushroom (about 2 cups diced)
2. Diced leeks (about 1 cup)
3. Minced/Diced garlic (1/4 cup)
4. Yellow squash (diced or spiral about 1 cup)
5. Diced/Shredded chicken -  OPTIONAL (1/2 cup)
6. Cheese (1 cup)
7. Olive oil to sautee vegetables
8. Optional: crushed red pepper flakes to sprinkle on crust for added flavor
9. Pizza Crust 
10. Lettuce/Cabbage for salad ... I topped with oil and vinegar and raisins and walnuts

Instructions:

1. Wash and dice vegetables
2. Sautee for about 5-10 minutes until leeks are translucent and flavors marry
3. Spray olive oil on the pizza crust and add crushed red pepper if you wish the extra layer of flavor
4. Add the vegetables to the crust and spread to create an even layer 
5. Add chicken if you wish
6. Top with cheese and bake according to package directions - about 15 minutes

While pizza is baking you can make a salad and set the table.

Serving Size - 1/2 a pizza with a side salad.