Gluten Free: Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Chicken, Spinach & Crimini Mushroom Pizza with Cauliflower & Almond Meal Crust;
Sausage and Sugar Plum Tomato Pizza with Cauliflower and Mozzarella Crust

Gluten-free foods are becoming a big part of culinary culture as more and more people are realizing the benefits of a wheat-free diet.  I myself, see a huge difference in my energy levels, my weight AND my overall health!  Don't get me wrong, I STILL LOVE my breadsticks, desserts and PIZZAS, but I'm just finding healthier, more creative ways for them to GET IN MY BELLY!

I did the pizza two different ways, but if you try this and you LOVE goat cheese like I love goat cheese, please don't skip the spread!

Chicken, Spinach and Crimini Mushroom Pizza with
Cauliflower & Almond Meal Crust

Prep Time: 15 minutes / Cook Time: 40 minutes / Servings: 8 slices

Ingredients:

Chicken, Spinach and Crimini Mushroom Pizza with
Cauliflower and Almond Meal Crust

Crust:

• 2 cups grated cauliflower
• 1 cup almond meal
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste

Toppings:

• 2.5 oz. softened goat cheese
• 4 cups washed baby spinach
• 10 oz. Crimini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 clove garlic, pressed
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flake
• 3 chicken breast tenders
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• salt and pepper 

Steps:
Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Spray a cookie sheet or a baking stone with olive oil spray.
2. Grate the cauliflower using a cheese grater or a food processor.  Place it in a microwave safe bowl and cook on high heat for about 8 minutes.  Remove from heat and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
3. Add the almond meal, eggs, rosemary, garlic powder and salt & pepper.  Combine until a dough-like paste is formed.
4. Spread the dough out onto the cookie sheet or baking stone in a pizza-like shape until it's about 1/4" or 1/2" thick.  
5. Cook in the oven at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.  Remove from heat, but leave the crust on the sheet.

Toppings:

1. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil on medium heat.  Add the chicken tenders, season with garlic powder, salt and pepper.  Continue to cook on medium heat for 7-10 minutes, until chicken is browned and cooked through.  Remove from heat, chop into bite size pieces and set aside.
2. In a separate saucepan,  heat 1 tbsp. olive oil on medium heat.  Add the mushrooms, pressed garlic and red pepper flake. Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until the water is cooked out of the mushrooms.  Stir in the spinach until wilted, remove from heat and set aside.

To Serve:

1. Spread the softened goat cheese onto the pizza crust with a spoon or spatula.
2. Spread the spinach and mushrooms on top of the goat cheese.
3. Spread the chicken on top of the spinach mixture.
4. Finish in the oven for 3-5 minutes until hot.  Remove from heat, slice and serve.

Sausage and Sugar Plum Tomato Pizza with
Cauliflower and Mozzarella Crust

Prep Time: 15 minutes / Cook Time: 30 minutes / Servings: 8 slices

Ingredients:

Sausage and Sugar Plum Tomato Pizza with
Cauliflower and Mozzarella Crust

Crust:

• 2 cups grated cauliflower
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste

Toppings:

• 2.5 oz. softened goat cheese
• 1 cup sugar plum tomatoes, quartered
• 12 oz. Fontina cheese, spinach and roasted garlic chicken sausage (available at Trader Joe's), sliced
• 1 tbsp. olive oil

Steps:
Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Spray a cookie sheet or a baking stone with olive oil spray.
   
2. Grate the cauliflower using a cheese grater or a food processor.  Place it in a microwave safe bowl and cook on high heat for about 8 minutes.  Remove from heat and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
3. Add the cheese, eggs, garlic powder and salt & pepper.  Combine until a dough-like paste is formed.
4. Spread the dough out onto the cookie sheet or baking stone in a pizza-like shape until it's about 1/4" or 1/2" thick.  
5. Cook in the oven at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.  Remove from heat, but leave the crust on the sheet.

Toppings:

1. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tbsp. oil on medium heat.  Add the sausage, making sure each one touches the bottom of the pan.  Cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side, until the sausage is browned and cooked through.  Remove from the heat and set aside.

To Serve:

1. Spread the softened goat cheese on top of the crust with a spoon or spatula.
2. Top with the sausage and tomatoes.
3. Finish in the oven for about 5-10 minutes, until tomatoes are hot and soft. Slice and serve.