Monday, February 13, 2012

Gluten Free Pizza

Pizza has been one of the things that I have missed since I started eating a mostly grain free diet.  I am not able to use the mixes, because they use flours that I cannot eat.  I tried making an almond flour crust, but I was never able to truly convince my taste buds that I was eating pizza.  Then I was on Pinterest, and I saw a recipe for a Flourless Pizza Crust by Gluten Free Easily.  I was so excited, that I put the ingredients on my shopping list immediately.  When we decided that we were going to have this for dinner, I asked my husband if he wanted to make a non- gluten free pizza for him and the children in addition to the gluten free pizza.  He thought that the recipe looked really promising, so we decided to take a chance.  I was so hopeful that this recipe would turn out well, but it far exceeded my expectations.  This is my recipe.


Gluten Free Pizza

Crust:
4 ounces Neufchatel cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp garlic
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Topping:
1/3 cup pizza sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Any toppings you prefer

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

You will need a 9x13 glass baking dish.  Grease the baking dish with grapeseed oil and then line it with parchment paper.  Set aside.

 For the crust, I used a medium bowl and whisk attachment on my Cuisinart Mixer.  Whisk the cream cheese until it is smooth and creamy.  Then add the eggs until they are blended with the cream cheese and smooth.  Add the Parmesan cheese and seasonings.  Stir in 2 cups of mozzarella until it is completely moistened.  Spread the mixture evenly over the parchment lined baking dish.  Bake the crust at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes, until it is evenly browned, but not too dark.


Let it cool for a few minutes on a wire rack.  When it is slightly cool, lift the crust using the parchment paper.  Depending on the amount of time you have, you can cool the crust completely on the counter or cool it by placing it in the freezer for up to 30 minutes.  The goal is to dry out the crust enough so that it will be crispy/chewy and you can pick it up in your hands.   

Once the crust is cooled, remove the parchment paper and place the crust back in the same pan.  The pan already has enough grease in it to prevent sticking.  Spread pizza sauce on the crust, and then spread no more than 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.  Then finish with whatever toppings you choose.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the toppings are bubbly and look the way you like your pizza.  Let the pizza stand for a few minutes before cutting.  Then eat the most delicious flourless, gluten free pizza that you have ever eaten!

As you can see, everyone in my house loved it!  The 4 of us ate the whole thing!  It tasted just like pizza, but there was no flour in it.  I finally was able to satisfy my pizza cravings.  Since we made this, my daughter has even asked to have it again.  She likes it better than pizza with flour in it.  I was truly amazed.  I really hope that you will try it and share it with the people you love.  Enjoy!

Cassidy

2 comments:

  1. That looks and sounds delicious! I can't wait to try it. I have never heard of that cream cheese. Can I use any cream cheese in its place?
    ~Krista

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    Replies
    1. Neufchatel cream cheese is softer than regular cream cheese due to its lower fat and higher moisture content. However, any cream cheese will work in this recipe.

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