cauliflower pizza 5I am sure if you have a Pinterest account you have at least heard of the cauliflower pizza.  You may have even attempted to make one.  The consensus seems to be that most fall apart, and are just o.k.

Just o.k. doesn’t cut it on Decadently Fit.  Just o.k. won’t have you telling your friends about it.  Just o.k. keeps healthy food in the “I’ll eat it, but I don’t really like it”, realm.  So not o.k.

After researching the good, bad, and hideous recipes, I came up with this bad boy.

I figured out that one of the most important factors in making the crust is removing as much liquid as you can.  When you think you have removed it all, use your brute strength and remove more.  Leftover moisture will be the down fall of an otherwise successful *fake-out meal.

*fake-out meal – a mother/father’s attempt at making their family think what they are eating is not a healthy, sub par version of their favorite food.

One more tip, make the cauliflower ‘dough’ as smooth as possible when processing.  I left mine the consistency of cauliflower rice, and my 7-year-old gourmand asked if there was rice in the crust.  Albeit, he devoured his piece in record time.

cauliflower pizza

Have fun with this recipe.  As you can tell by the horrible picture taken on my iPhone (above), I made one half for the adults and one half for the kids.  You can add any combination of toppings that fit the tastes of your home.

I would love to see your combinations.  Feel free to post a picture of your version on our Facebook wall.

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Cauliflower Pizza

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 head of cauliflower, stem removed

1 garlic clove minced

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

4 oz. goat cheese

1/4 cup grated parmesan

1 egg, beaten

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 jar organic pizza sauce

12 oz. bag Trader Joe’s Lite Mozzarella (I used maybe 2/3 of the bag for the entire pizza)

In two batches pulse the cauliflower pieces till as smooth as possible, adding a little bit of water if needed.

In a microwave safe dish combine the cauliflower puree, garlic, basil, oregano and salt.  Microwave for 5 minutes on high.  Let sit with the lid on for 20 minutes.  Remove the lid and let cool.

When cool enough to touch place mixture in a kitchen towel and ring out as much liquid as possible.

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees.

Combine cauliflower mixture with remainder of ingredients.  Form into a ball.

Coat a large pizza stone with a thin layer of coconut oil or ghee.  Place the cauliflower ball in the middle of pizza stone.  Work the dough out to the edges forming a circle, making sure the dough is not too thin.  Thicker is better.

Bake the dough without toppings for 10 -15 minutes, or until the edges start turning golden brown.  This is a very important step.  Do not under-bake.

Remove from oven.  Add your favorite pizza sauce, and toppings of your choice.  Cover in Trader Joe’s Lite Shredded Mozzarella Cheese.  Bake another **5 – 10 minutes.  Remove when the cheese is golden and bubbly.

**(all ovens bake at different times, please watch your pizza to keep from burning)

Nutrition facts only reflect the dough

Servings: 4• Size: 1/4 of pizza • Calories: 176• Fat: 9.3g • Carb: 13g • Fiber: 5.3g • Protein: 13.2g • Sugar:  5.3g • Sodium: 591mg • Cholesterol: 73mg