Anyone who has ever tried to cook a healthy meal has come up against them -- the picky eater. The die-hard carnivore who is less than willing to make big sacrifices in taste for the sake of a healthier lifestyle. After several failed attempts at trying to rid these dishes entirely from family menus across the country, it has become clear it's time to formulate a plan B. Since quitting cold turkey is out, the best alternative is to try and make one of these faves accessible by improving the "good for you" food ratio. The result is a tasty (but healthier) version of a longtime indulgence. When the pizza craving hits, this definitely fits the bill.
Instructions
1. Combine the water, sugar and yeast. Let the yeast rise until it has a foamy appearance.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt and olive oil together. (If you prefer your dough to have a little more give for kneading purposes, use 2 cups of whole wheat flour and 1 cup of all purpose flour.)
3. Combine the yeast and flour mixtures. Knead together until it forms a dough.
4. Place the dough in bowl rubbed with olive oil and cover with a cloth. Set the bowl in a warm place and allow the dough to rise for 1 hour.
5. Press the dough out on a pizza tray or baking sheet. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until dough is firm. Doing this first helps keep the dough from absorbing too much sauce and getting soggy.
6. Remove the wheat crust from the oven and add sauce and toppings. Use homemade pesto (or store-bought) as the base sauce, with black olives, sautéed button mushrooms, reduced fat cheese, and Italian sausage made from soy (browned up first in the skillet) as the toppings. Remember, using the wheat crust as a base allows you to make a variety of pizzas, all healthier for you than a regular pizza crust would be. Additional topping suggestions are listed below. Experiment to find your own favorite combination.
7. After loading up on your toppings, bake the crust for an additional 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Remove from the oven. Let the pizza rest for a minute or two before slicing. Enjoy!
Tags: from oven, minutes until, wheat crust
