Margherita Cauliflower Crust Pizza Food

MARGHERITA CAULIFLOWER CRUST PIZZA RECIPE

Steps:

• Use pulsing action of food processor to process half the cauliflower until it resembles the texture of rice; spoon into large microwaveable bowl. Repeat with remaining cauliflower. Cover with waxed paper.
• Microwave on HIGH 4 to 6 min. or until cauliflower is softened; cool.
• Heat oven to 425°F. Spoon cauliflower onto clean kitchen towel; wring out as much moisture as possible. Place cauliflower in large bowl. Add flour, Parmesan, egg and 1 cup mozzarella; mix well. Press onto bottom of 12-inch pizza pan sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 12 to 15 min. or until golden brown.
• Spread cauliflower crust with pizza sauce; top with remaining mozzarella and tomatoes. Bake 5 to 6 min. or until mozzarella is melted.
• Top with basil.

CAULIFLOWER CRUST PIZZA

Steps:

• For the pizza: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Pulse the cauliflower florets in a food processor to a fine snowy powder (you should have about 2 1/2 cups). Transfer the processed cauliflower to a microwave-safe bowl and cover. Microwave until soft, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a clean, dry kitchen towel and allow to cool.
• When cool enough to handle, wrap the cauliflower in the towel and wring out as much moisture as possible, transferring to a second towel if necessary. In a large bowl, stir together the cauliflower, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, egg and 1 cup of the mozzarella until well combined. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and press into a 10-inch round. Bake until golden, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove the crust from the oven and top with the Spicy Pizza Sauce and remaining 1 cup mozzarella. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 10 minutes more. Garnish with fresh basil leaves just before serving.
• For the salad: Meanwhile, add the greens to a large bowl. Whisk together the olive oil, baslsamic and salt and pepper to taste in a measuring cup. Pour over the greens and toss. Top with Parmesan shavings.
• Heat a pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add a tablespoon or so of olive oil, throw in the garlic and chopped onions and give them a stir. Cook until the onions are soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth, whisking to deglaze the bottom of the pan. Cook until the liquid reduces by half. Add the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Add the brown sugar, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste and stir. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Let cool, then puree the sauce.

CAULIFLOWER CRUST PIZZA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Remove the leaves from the cauliflower and trim the stalk end, then cut into chunks. Blitz half the cauliflower in a food processor until finely chopped, like rice. Transfer to a bowl and repeat with the remaining half. Tip all the cauliflower in a bowl, cover with cling film and microwave on High for 5-6 mins until softened. Tip onto a clean tea towel and leave to cool a little. Once cool enough to handle, scrunch up the tea towel and squeeze as much liquid as you can out of the cauliflower, then transfer to a clean bowl. Stir in the ground almonds, egg, oregano and plenty of seasoning. Line a baking tray with baking parchment and grease with oil. Mound the cauliflower mix into the centre of the tray, then use a spoon and your hands to spread out into a 30cm round. Make it a little thicker at the edges to create a 'crust'. Bake for 15-18 mins until golden brown and starting to crisp a little at the edges.
• Meanwhile, heat a griddle pan, brush each aubergine slice on both sides with a little of the oil, season and cook for 5-6 mins, turning once, until softened and charred - you'll need to do this in batches. Transfer to a plate. Brush the onions with oil, season and griddle for 5-8 mins until softened and charred. To make the tomato sauce, whizz the canned tomatoes, tomato purée, garlic and some seasoning in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a small saucepan, bring to a simmer and cook gently for 8-10 mins until thick (you don't want any watery tomato soaking into the cauliflower base). Tear half the basil leaves and stir through the sauce.
• Once the cauliflower base is cooked, set aside to cool a little. Turn the oven up to 240C/220C fan/gas 8. Drain the mozzarella and pat dry with kitchen paper. Spread the tomato sauce over the base, sprinkle over the Grana Padano, then arrange the aubergines, red onion and mozzarella on top. Scatter over the chilli flakes and return to the oven for 10-12 mins. Before serving, shave over a little more cheese and scatter with the remaining basil leaves.