As most of us go through Covid, I understand that statistics are calling the weight gain from comfort food and alcohol “Covid Weight”. If you want to start doing Meatless Monday, to help shed the pounds, here’s a small change you can make. Take away the milk products.
There are fun ways to satisfy your cravings, with or without cheese. So I’m going to teach you how to Make a Plant Based Pizza. It’s a great pie, like a New York Pizza.
I’m from NY and have been experimenting over 30 years now. And I think I’ve got it down to a science. The only difference between what I’m making for my plant based daughter and son-in-law is cheese. So what that means is: if you need cheese, add cheese.
Vegan Ricotta is another way to go – you make a white pizza. But let’s start with this yummy thing that will give you a TON of vegetables and a beautiful spicy and sweet flavor profile. (When I first moved to California I laughed at people who put pineapple on pizza…. ahh, how things have changed)!
This is just a little creation of mine. If you’re not plant based, ham and pineapple work well together. But this is really not that. This is a hearty pizza with a thin but strong crust.
So let’s start with the crust.
You can make it yourself or go to your favorite pizza place and buy a couple of dough balls. Some of the places add cheese to their crust and sauce, so you’ve gotta ask! My all time favorite pizza comes from Bonjourno on Stevens in Solana Beach. Many years ago the owners changed, but the recipe didn’t. Call ahead for ‘to go’ because they get pretty busy.
Ok. The dough has to be left out for an hour or two, to rise and double in size. You then roll it out. Use your knuckles under the center to stretch it out more and remember: the center is always thinner than the crust.
Once you have it the size you want, place it on a pizza pan, after you’ve sprayed it with oil, so it doesn’t stick. Mine ventilates under. So it’s not a stone and can easily crisp up. You want the dough to stand up to whatever it’s holding on top. 450 degrees, or 500, if you can, for 15 minutes gets the basis of the crust going. Pop any bubbles as they occur.
Then, paint your crust with Sriracha BBQ Sauce. Add on top of that tomato sauce. I usually caramelize onions first, then add pizza sauce and basil, for the sauce I like. Do not heavy sauce. Just cover.
I caramelize two kinds of mushrooms cut into small pieces, cut grape size tomatoes in half, and then cut up half a can of pineapple in juice, again cutting each piece into two, sometimes three. Then cook for another 15 minutes and there you have it!
So you have a hot sauce, tomato sauce, veggies and pineapple, to cool it all down. It is amazing. I did not miss the cheese. Always start a pizza with a big salad. It really is quite satisfying. Enjoy!
Healthy Happy Eating,
