When you consider wholesome pizza you could routinely envision cardboard crust and fat-free tasteless cheese—with an additional topping of broccoli. But right here’s the factor: You can really make scrumptious, flavor-packed pizza, that may really for you in fueling your physique with the vitamins it must assist assist your fitness center targets fairly than set them again by a number of thousand energy (give or take).
Although pizza could not all the time be your healthiest choice, it doesn’t all the time must be like that. And we’re not speaking about cheese-free or going crustless. “There are so many ways you can have pizza without feeling guilty,” explains Chef Dena Marino, one of many nation’s preeminent cooks who has a giant coronary heart for pizza!
Chef Marino’s extremely reviewed and desired meals at MC Kitchen caught the eye of the Miami Heat, making her restaurant an everyday post-game cease for a lot of the roster. Her work with the workforce ultimately led to her present place as household chef for LeBron James and his household.
If it’s adequate to fulfill King James, then with the following pointers, this worldwide favourite meal could be made within the consolation of your individual dwelling and loved by your loved ones and mates, guilt free.
Let’s make a pie!
Tip 1: Enjoy the Crust
Carbs aren’t the enemy and neither is pizza crust—so long as you craft it with well being in thoughts.
“One way to do that is by building your own pizza using the chickpea crust from Banza,” says Chef Marino, who helps the model on creating a few of its authentic pizza-making merchandise.. For those that haven’t created pizza dough from scratch, “Banza’s crust makes it so easy to build a pizza with your favorite toppings, and the crust still comes out chewy and crunchy—just like a regular pizza.” She says. On high of that, Banza pizza is loaded with protein which common dough lacks—making it an ideal post-lift meal choice.
Tip 2: Additional Clean Crust choices:
- If you’re shopping for premade crust, ensure to decide on natural, actual substances.
- Learn how one can create your individual home made pizza dough. This means that you can keep away from pointless substances like fillers that make pizza dough unhealthy. From there, you could possibly embrace totally different ingredient crusts, comparable to:
1. Cauliflower Crust
2. Organic Flatbread
3. Almond Flour Crust
4. Zucchini Flour Crust
Tip 3: Be ‘Choosy’ With Your Cheese
Chef Marino is a giant fan of cheese (aren’t all of us?). When it involves a flavorful, clear cheese choice, Chef Marino opts for Buffalo mozzarella cheese. “A lot of people don’t know that this cheese comes from water buffalo milk, which gives it a much creamier taste and a higher protein content,” Marino says, and it may be discovered proper at Whole Foods. The bonus: You don’t want a lot Buffalo milk cheese to get nice texture and taste which helps you lower your expenses and energy.
Tip: When choosing the healthiest cheese on your pizza, go for Organic cheese with zero antibiotics, fillers, and pointless substances (Just like Italy). Talk to your native farmers or native grocery retailer staff to discover a cheese that most closely fits your way of life and targets.
Tip 3: Get Saucy
When it involves crafting your individual pizza, the sauce is boss. Beyond the basic purple sauce, Chef Marino enjoys utilizing Pesto with greens as a tasty sauce different, because the pesto brightens their flavors.
A easy, chopped, contemporary tomato cooked with Olive oil, onion, and garlic is one other staple of Chef Marino’s tomato basil pizza recipe. Not solely is that this simple to make however heart-healthy and filled with nutritional vitamins and minerals.
Tip 4: Pile On the Toppings!
Toppings are the place pizza shines, and the place numerous the dietary worth come into play. Marino encourages including grilled rooster or turkey pepperoni for a lean protein choice, and naturally, numerous veggies.
“Sautéed spinach, kale, Swiss chard, charred, shaved Brussels sprouts, onions, raw or grilled zucchini, lots of sautéed mushrooms, fresh tomato slices, and lots of fresh herb,” Marino recommends.
- Other Topping Ideas: Olives, goat or feta cheese, bell peppers, sizzling peppers, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and actually, any of your favourite veggies would make a incredible pizza topping. We’ll allow you to resolve on the pineapple.
- Don’t Forget Your Herbs: Also thought-about a topping they usually pack on critical taste: Basil, purple pepper flakes, oregano, cayenne, thyme, parsley, Himalayan salt, black pepper, rosemary, and garlic.
Random Chef’s Tips:
- Invest in a pizza stone on your oven in case you don’t have an precise pizza oven. This makes a significant distinction within the texture and high quality of your pizza.
- Drizzle olive oil in your pizza after it’s completed. (Healthy fat assist enhance of taste)
- Roasted garlic, basil, or Calabrian chili oil will present your pizza with extra depth and taste whereas making it really feel extra indulgent.
- Never use uncooked mushrooms on pizza—there are far more flavors pre-caramelized.
Now that your mouth is watering, here’s a clean-take on “Spring” Pizza with asparagus and herbs from Banza.
SPRING PIZZA WITH ASPARAGUS AND HERBS
- TIPS: A sizzling honey drizzle submit bake will take this pizza up a notch! Shallot could be changed with purple onion if wanted.