Yummy Cauliflower Pizza Crust

If you are like me you never do a recipe the same more than once or twice. I like recipes that have a "basic" style and then I can tweak it how the mood hits me. This is one of those recipes.

What is even more fun about it, especially if you are watching your pennies... this one head of cauliflower can stretch to two, three or even four meals.

When we fix this pizza, my husband and I both fix our on lil-pizza differently. He is a carnivore, I am not, so for obvious reasons we put different things on our pizzas. We always end up with some left overs for lunch the next day. AND in the freezer I have the other half of my head of cauliflower! I can make more pizzas some other day or use it to make mashed cauliflower, or add it to some other creation. It really goes a lot further than you realize when you grate your cauliflower. It's also fun to do especially if you have lots of aggression to get rid of...ha!

AND! Best of all this is gluten free! 

I made this one at the end of the summer when we still had all the awesome veggies left from the garden. It makes me sad to think I have to wait for the FRESH version but until then, I can glean from my local grocer.... lol! I will have to be happy with my dried basil and doctor it up a little differently. Yum! Yum! Yum! Yum! Believe me you will really enjoy this recipe.

Basic Cauliflower Pizza Crust Recipe:
preheat oven to 425F
2 1/2 cups grated cauliflower
1 egg
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

• Grate head of cauliflower and divide in half. A medium sized head should give you about 5 cups. 
• In a medium sized mixing bowl place 1/2 of a head of cauliflower (or 2 1/2 cups of cauliflower) and microwave for 8 minutes or until soft. Let it stand until it cools enough to add the egg.
• While you are waiting for it to cool in a separate bowl mix the egg, one cup of the mozzarella, the parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. 
• When the cauliflower is cool enough combine the cauliflower and egg mixture.
• Divide mixture into two parts.
• On a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with parchment paper, loosely shape each of your pizzas and bake for 10 - 15 minutes (until it begins to turn brown around the edges.
• Remove the cauliflower crust and top with whatever you like. Since this is supposed to be a healthy version I always opt for lighter type toppings. Easy on the sauce, easy on the cheese, lots of veggies, etc... you get my drift.
• Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes. Watch closely, you don't want to burn your creation!
• Right before you serve, top with fresh basil if you have some! Yum!

This is such a versatile recipe! If you like you can sprinkle with parmesan only and return to the oven without adding anything else. Serve it with garlic bread and you have simple-awesome. Doctor it up and you have super-awesome. It's a win-win! Can't get any better than that!

Enjoy!

Kerri Downey