Wednesday, September 25, 2013

"Baked Fried Dough" -- A Healthier Take On Pizza


My biggest downfall, when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet, is pizza. It is my go-to comfort food, my must-have indulgence, and the food most guilty of breaking my discipline.  When I was in college, I ate pizza every single day of the four years I lived on campus, at least once a day (curse you Rathskellar!!).  It wasn't even good pizza.  HA! I have the great fortune of living near New Haven, and marrying a woman from New York, so I know the experience and the essence of a good pie. If you are looking to replicate a NY or New Haven pizza...I haven't achieved that yet; however, if you are looking to satisfy a pizza craving:  this is the recipe for YOU!  I have lived all over the country and will attest that this beats southern pizza, CA pizza, and northern pizza by far...and it is healthy to boot!  My entire family literally giggled as we sampled this, and all agreed on one thing:  This healthier pizza recipe tastes like "BAKED FRIED DOUGH!"  ENJOY! 

Ingredients:
  • 3 C Wheat flour
  • 1 1/2 C non fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 t baking soda
  • 1 t salt
  • 4 Kumato tomatoes (for diabetics:  contains a higher amount of fructose than an average tomato, you can also use larger Roma tomatoes)
  • I sheet of rolled fresh mozzarella, cut into 1" x 1"  squares (this is an amazing product...NEVER pay for rolled prosciutto/salami and mozzarella again, brands can be found by googling "rolled fresh mozzarella")
  • 20-25 fresh basil leaves
  • 2 T extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 C shaved Parmesan
  • 2 t garlic powder
  • 2 t dried basil leaves
  • 1 garlic clove
  • salt and pepper
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, yogurt, baking soda and 1 t salt. 
  3. Wet hands with cold water (to help prevent sticking), and mix ingredients well until they form a ball.
  4. Place ball on a floured surface and knead the dough for at least five minutes, or until it becomes firm.  
  5. Re-flour the surface and use a floured rolling pin to roll out (this will be a lot trickier than your typical pizza dough, and cannot be "spun" or "flipped--you need to roll the dough's shape) to the shape/size of a baking sheet that has been coated with cooking spray.
  6. Drizzle with 1 T olive oil and place in oven for 10 minutes.
  7. Top with tomato slices, mozzarella pieces, fresh basil, shaved Parmesan, drizzle with remaining olive oil, and sprinkle an even coat of garlic powder/dried basil/salt/pepper.
  8. Return to oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until cheese has bubbled and crust is golden brown. 
  9. FRIED DOUGH, RIGHT????  YUM!!!

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