Ahh, pizza night. A thing to be cherished. In our household we eat pizza at least once a week. And if we a re really craving it, we will have it midweek (say, we are binge watching a new Netflix show), it’s pizza night on a weekday too. Because life is short and we love our pizza and we intend to eat it. Often. Making this guilt-free pizza does mean you don't feel as bad eating an entire pizza! With it nutritional benefits you don't feel sluggish or heavy afterwards either!
Vegetarian
Healthier Alternative
Nutritious
Simple & Easy Recipe
Flavourful
All Fresh Ingredients
Guilt-Free
Health Benefits;
Whole Wheat Flour:
Whole wheat flour is also rich in vitamins B-1, B-3, and B-5, along with riboflavin and folate. It also has more iron, calcium, protein, and other nutrients than white flour. When you are eating a low-calorie diet plan, it's important that the calories you're consuming are loaded with as many nutrients as possible.
Spinach:
Spinach is also an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C and folate as well as being a good source of manganese, magnesium, iron and vitamin B2. Vitamin K is important for maintaining bone health and it is difficult to find vegetables richer in vitamin K than spinach.
Pine Nuts:
Pine nuts can reduce the risk of heart disease. are high in beneficial monounsaturated fats, magnesium and vitamin E, which work together to protect the heart. Pine nuts also naturally contain plant sterols, a compound that can help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Eating tree nuts, including pine nuts, is associated with lower waist circumference, body mass index and blood pressure. Pine nuts are high in antioxidants. From Vitamin E to zinc, pine nuts' antioxidants may help protect cells from damage. Pine nuts ward off cognitive decline. All nuts are part of the MIND Diet, a well-researched dietary pattern that can help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 35%.
Peppers:
Peppers have a lot going for them. They're low in calories and are loaded with good nutrition. All varieties are excellent sources of vitamins A and C, potassium, folic acid, and fibre. Plus, the spicy ones liven up bland food, making it more satisfying. Green peppers are harvested earlier, before they have a chance to turn yellow, orange, and then red. Compared to green bell peppers, the red ones have almost 11 times more beta-carotene and 1.5 times more vitamin C.
Recipe
~ Makes 1 Serving ~
Prep Time - 1hr 30mins ~ Cook Time - 15mins ~ Total Time - 1hr 45mins
Ingredients:
1 packet of active dry yeast (2 & 1/4 tsps)
1 cup of warm tap water
2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
2 cups of strong whole wheat flour (plus 2 tbsps more for rolling out the dough)
1 tsp of salt
Method
In a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer, add the 2 cups of whole wheat flour and the salt. Pour packet of yeast and 1/4 cup warm water into the mixing bowl. Stir in once then let it rest for 5 mins until it gets a foamy layer on top.
Next add 3/4 cup of warm water and 1 tbsp of oil and stir with paddle hook attachment until loosely combined. Then with the dough hook attachment, set on speed 2 and let the dough knead for 5 mins (you can knead by hand if you don't have a stand mixer).
After 5 minutes of kneading, stop the mixer and form the dough into a ball. In a large mixing bowl, drizzle 1 tbsp of oil all over the bottom of the bowl and place dough inside.
Cover with cling film, a warm tea towel and place somewhere warm for 60 minutes or until the dough doubles in size.
After 60 minutes, preheat the oven to 230C/450F.
On a floured surface, roll out the dough ball with floured hands and stretch the dough into a circle allowing gravity to let the dough fall. Place on a baking sheet lined pizza tray and stretch out a little more. Pinch the edges of the pizza to form a crust.
Next, bake the pizza base for 5 minutes (minus toppings), remove from oven and then add toppings of your choice. I added my homemade pizza sauce, meat-free pepperoni, peppers, mushrooms, spinach, sweetcorn, pesto, pine nuts, onions and cheddar cheese.
Bake for 15 mins or until the cheese around the edges starts to brown. Remove from oven and enjoy!
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