Clean Cauliflower Pizza Crust Recipe

As I was walking around the grocery, I saw a fresh "bake at home" pizza sitting in the display. I immediately started wishing I could take it home and pop it into my oven. I made a better choice though, I decided to make my own version - clean, gluten-free and considered paleo-friendly if you are into that. Here is the recipe:

Eat Clean Recipe: Cauliflower Pizza Crust

as created by The Lucky Penny Blog

Ingredients:

• 1 small-medium head of cauliflower or 3 cups of cauliflower florets, stems removed. 
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp dried basil (additionally crushed between your fingers)
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano (additionally crushed between your fingers)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup organic, shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup organic, shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg

Directions:

1. Wash and dry your cauliflower. Cut the cauliflower into florets (the top part) and remove the majority of the stem.

2. Pulse in a food processor for approximately 30 seconds until you create something resembling cauliflower snow. This will serve as your "flour" for the recipe. It should yield from 2-3 cups of "snow."

3. Place the cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 4 minutes.

4. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. If you are using a pizza stone, place the stone in the oven so that it can heat to temperature before you put your crust on it. 

5. Once your cauliflower has cooled, place it in a tea towel or cheesecloth and wring it out to remove excess water. Watch out - there will be a lot of water! You will want to do this over the sink!

6. In a bowl, combine cauliflower, spices, and cheese. Add egg and combine to a "dough ball" using your hands.

7. Place dough onto a piece of parchment paper sprayed with olive oil. Begin forming the dough into a round pizza shape. Dough should be approximately 1/2 inch thick with no thin spots or overly thick spots.

8. Take parchment paper and dough and move to pizza stone or pizza pan. Bake in oven for approximately 8-10 minutes until cauliflower is a light golden brown.

9. Remove pan and crust from oven and add any toppings you would like to put on it - sauce, cheese, meat, veggies, etc.  

10. Once you have put your toppings on your pizza, bake it in the oven for about 5-7 more minutes until cheese begins to bubble.

11. Let pizza sit for 3-4 minutes to cool. Cut with pizza wheel and enjoy!

This is definitely picky eater approved! Jim LOVED it and he was REALLY skeptical when I told him what I was making. He had already told me what he was going to eat if he didn't like it!

Not So Sugar, Sugar Cookies

How do you come up with a name for sugar cookies that don't have any sugar?  It was suggested by our friend, Colleen, that we call them "Colleen's Cookies" but for the sake of Pinterest we will call them "Not So Sugar, Sugar Cookies" {Colleen approved}!

Clean Eat Recipe: Not So Sugar, Sugar Cookies

Recipe adapted from Canadian Family

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oat flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• pinch salt
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup Stevia in the Raw
• Less than 1/4 cup regular Xylitol
• 1 egg white
• 1/2 tsp vanilla (avoid HFCS)

Directions:

1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a bowl. Add in remaining ingredients.

2. Roll dough into a ball. Place dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

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3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

4. Roll out dough (pressing by hand is easiest) on a lightly floured baking sheet and cut into cookies or use a cookie cutter.

5. Make for 8-10 minutes.

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Strawberry Oat Bars

This is a very simple recipe that is great for a snack or to pair with protein at breakfast...just don't eat the pan all at one time!

Strawberry Oat Bars

Recipe adapted from Bob's Red Mill Oat Packaging

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (avoid HFCS)
• 1 cup oat flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup Xylitol
• 1 tsp Xanthan Gum
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 2/3 organic strawberry jam/jelly (check the ingredients!)
• Organic strawberries (optional, for topping)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Spray 8X8 Pyrex dish with non-stick spray (we use an olive oil mister).

3. In a medium bowl combine melted coconut oil, applesauce, and 1 tsp vanilla extract.

4. Stir in flour, oats, Xylitol, Xanthan Gum, baking powder, sea salt, and almond milk until blended.

5. Stir remaining tsp of vanilla extract into strawberry jam until smooth. Spread evenly on top.

6. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over jam, then pat firmly to make top layer smooth.

7. Bake 20-25 minutes. Let bars cool in pan for 30 minutes on a wire rack.

8. Once cool, cut into 16 bars.