Pizza Can Be Healthy!

My husband has been out of town this week and my kids and I decided to have a little party. So we made pizza! I love pizza but it's not the best thing for you depending on how it's made. I have a great bread recipe which I will share here and then probably post again at some point, so you can see the bread finished. This bread recipe is something I use every week. Sometimes I substitute different kinds of grain or bean flours in my bread, making sure I use at least 7 cups wheat or spelt for gluten purposes. I also made Monkey Bread. This is a simple recipe that has been around for years. I'm sure most of you already know how to make it..but I will include it as well. Pizza made with whole grain crust and loaded with veggies and good proteins is such a balanced meal! Don't shy away from making your own pizza, the healthy way!

Bread Recipe (adapted from Kitchen Kneads)

5 cups warm water

2 heaping tablespoons SAF yeast

1/3 cup honey or agave

1/3 cup olive oil

11-14 cups whole wheat or spelt flour

2 tablespoons Redmond salt

Combine Water, yeast, honey, and olive oil. Mix gently. Add 11 cups of flour and salt all at once. Mix until combined. Add more flour until the dough cleans the side of the bowl. If the dough is too dry or too wet it will fall while baking. I will only add 1/2 cup flour at a time until the dough isn't sticking to the side of the bowl but will still stick to my finger a little. I prefer it a little on the wet side rather than stiff (too dry). If you ever get the dough too dry add oil while mixing NOT water. Mix for 8 minutes (very important, to develop gluten). The dough will then be soft and pliable. Gently oil hands and shape in to loaves. (makes 5 loaves) Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

Pizza

Take a small amount of bread (1 loaf size amount), roll it out until very flat. Place it into a round or square pan. Cut off the excess that falls off the edge with a sharp knife. Immediately bake at 425 for 5 to 10 minutes, until slightly brown. Poke the dough while baking with a fork, if it develops bubbles. Do NOT let the dough rise before baking or your crust will be very thick.

Toppings

Use your favorite sauce, whether it is homemade or not. I prefer Ragu No Sugar Spaghetti Sauce. Spread sauce evening over baked crust. Add toppings you desire...

chicken

ground turkey or beef

ham

sausage

pepperoni

pineapple

green peppers (finely diced is my favorite)

onions (finely diced)

sliced mushrooms

olives

zucchini

cheese (I used a blend)

Bake at 400 for 10-15 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Monkey Bread

Butter

Sugar and Cinnamon

Take a pinch of dough. Roll into a ball. Dip in butter and then in sugar cinnamon mixture. Place in a greased pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350.

Have fun!