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A Surprising Substitute for Bread

Posted on Feb 12, 2017

I was recently asked by a patient for a good alternative to bread.  While I mentioned the many gluten-free options that are available to replace traditional white or wheat bread, I explained that though these substitutes are gluten-free, they are often still high in carbohydrates and/or calories.  This prompted me to research healthy options for bread.

Cue in cauliflower.  Could there be a more versatile vegetable?  Cauliflower is a fantastic substitute for the potatoes in “mashed potatoes” and left in larger pieces, I throw it into Macaroni & Cheese to reduce the pasta-concentration and increase veggie intake.  But this may be one of the sneakiest uses for the cauliflower yet – pizza dough!  The idea of enjoying a guilt-free pizza is the kind of thing that gives me goose bumps.

The thought of cooked cauliflower may not appeal to everyone, but cauliflower pizza dough is a surprisingly delicious base for your favorite tomato sauce, cheese and toppings.  You could instead add garlic, butter and cheese to the cooked dough and make cheesy garlic bread.  Spread the dough out very thin and instead make a cauliflower cracker.  The options are endless.  My little kids could not even tell the difference!

Cauliflower Pizza Dough

Ingredients

1 large head of cauliflower (approximately 2lbs)

1 egg

1 tspn salt

½ tspn dried oregano

½ tspn dried or fresh chopped basil

¼ cup goat cheese

¼ cup fresh grated mozzarella cheese

 

Directions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F
  2. Place pot of water on stove to boil
  3. Grate cauliflower with box grater using medium-sized holes OR cut into florets and pulse in food processor until cauliflower is rice-like consistency
  4. Place the grated cauliflower in the pot of boiling water and cook for 5 minutes
  5. Drain cooked cauliflower in strainer and let cool for 10 minutes
  6. Place cooked cauliflower in cheese cloth or clean dish towel
  7. Ring out cauliflower until excess water completely removed – this step is important to achieve a crispy crust!
  8. Place dried cauliflower in mixing bowl
  9. Add egg, salt, herbs and cheeses and mix well
  10. Spread mixture on parchment lined pizza pan or cookie sheet and create circular or rectangular crust. Crust should be ¼ to 1/3 inch thick.  Pinch edges of dough to create a raised edge for the pizza crust.
  11. Place in oven and cook for 30 minutes
  12. Flip over pizza dough and cook for another 10-15 minutes
  13. Spread cooked dough with tomato sauce, freshly grated mozzarella cheese, and toppings
  14. Place in oven and cook for 5-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden
  15. Cut pizza into slices and serve immediately.  Enjoy!