If you thought pizza epitomized carbs, think twice. Rather than a single slice costing you 400 calories, this entire 9x13 inch carb-less crust (which six of us could barely finish!) adds up to approximately 434 calories total, according to lifestyle icon Lauren Conrad. With inspiration from my Twitter pal Hannah Orlansky and motivation from my friends in Austin to keep our meals on the healthy(ish) side, we opted to try a cauliflower recipe in hopes that the substitution would garner the same satisfying reaction of typical crust. While I missed the crunch of toasted bread, I patted my back with pride after every bite. Healthy cauliflower trumps greasy carbs any day!
Below are our three variations of pizzas: classic margarita, brie & fig, and chicken sausage with peppers & onions. With my obvious sweet tooth, I preferred the brie preparation. Those smoky sausage bites and rich mozzarella & tomato slices were hard to pass up, though! Share any of your creative topping combinations with me -- how do you like your cauliflower pizza?
cauliflower crusted pizzas
Makes 1 pizza
1 large head cauliflower (3 cups riced cauliflower, see directions below)
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
3 eggs
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic salt
Olive oil
For Brie & Fig:
1 cup arugula (add this after cooking!)
1 tablespoon balsamic reduction (add this after cooking!)
3 tablespoons fig spread
4 ounces brie
1 green pear
For Margarita:
1 large heirloom tomato
4 ounces fresh mozzarella
Olive oil
Black pepper
For Chicken Sausage & Onions:
2 links organic chicken sausage
1/2 onion, caramelized
1/2 bell pepper, caramelized
4 ounces fresh mozzarella
1. Remove stems and leaves from cauliflower. Pulse in food processor until it looks like a grain. Place in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 8 minutes (the natural moisture in the cauliflower cooks itself). Measure 3 cups of microwaved cauliflower for recipe; store the rest in refrigerator for up to one week.
2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Grease cooking sheet with Pam or aluminum foil.
3. Mix microwaved cauliflower with eggs, mozzarella, garlic salt and oregano. Spread mixture on cooking sheet into an even rectangle. Lightly brush olive oil on top.
4. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cover with desired toppings. Place back in oven until cheese melts, about 5 minutes!
adapted from lauren conrad
