It was a gorgeous day in the city today, but unfortunately I was roaming the hospital all day and only got to enjoy the beautiful view from the floors. I am so glad it is Friday! That means a weekend of sleep and COOKING! This entire week I have been too tired to cook very much after coming home from a long day. I guess I am still adjusting to work-life.
Growing up, we frequently had Friday night pizza nights, and most of the time my mom and I made homemade pizza from scratch. Although it is a long process (mostly waiting for the dough to rise), it is worth it in the end! To this day, I rarely order pizza because I enjoy homemade pizza much more. Sometimes it is so nice to stay in, eat homemade pizza and watch a movie on a Friday night.
I remember my old colleague coming back from a doctor’s appointment and telling me he had told her pizza is the most unhealthy food you can eat. Now, this was a problem for me because I consider myself to generally have healthy eating habits – except for my love for pizza! I agree that most pizza by delivery and store-bought contain a huge amount of fat and sodium, but when I make my pizza from scratch I add much less sodium (I even use a no-sodium pizza sauce when I can), use a minimal amount of low-fat mozzarella cheese, and try to top it with freshly cut organic vegetables. How can that be unhealthy ;)? It is definitely much more work than calling up your favorite pizza place and having them deliver a pizza to your door in 30 minutes, but it is better for you and so FRESH!
In other news, I am excited to announce that I am the newest member of the Cooking Light Bloggers’ Connection. I am so excited about this, and can’t wait to share some of their delicious, healthy recipes with you guys!
Now back to this homemade whole wheat vegetarian pizza….
- 1 package dry yeast (2¼ tsp)
- 1 cup warm water
- 1½ cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 4 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 cups pizza sauce
- 1½ cups low-fat mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups artichoke hearts, sliced in half
- 1 cup frozen organic chopped spinach
- 2 organic tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 organic red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup non-fat feta cheese
- 1 cup fresh organic basil leaves
- Pepper to taste
- Add yeast, sugar and warm water to a mixing bowl. Let stand for 7 minutes.
- Add salt and whole wheat flour and mix with a wooden spoon or a hook attachment if using a stand mixer.
- Add olive oil and remaining flour a little at a time while mixing.
- Continue to mix until dough is clearing the sides of the bowl without sticking (add more flour if needed).
- Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes (or continue mixing with the stand mixer using a hook attachment for 8 minutes).
- Place dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a dish towel.
- Let the dough rise for 1 hour in a warm place, then punch down.
- Allow the dough to rise another hour, chopping the vegetables while you are waiting.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Cut the dough in half and roll one half as thin as you would like your crust to be with a rolling pin on a floured surface.
- Transfer the dough to a greased pizza pan, and repeat for the other half of the dough (or save for later in the refrigerator up to 2 days).
- Top the dough with ½ tbsp olive oil and spread around the top.
- Spread 1 cup of pizza sauce around the dough, and top with cheese and vegetable toppings. Sprinkle with pepper if desired.
- Bake each pizza for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and top with fresh basil before serving.
I love Friday night pizza nights! I usually but a premade whole wheat pizza crust or dough, but I’d love to give your’s a try. Beautiful pictures by the way and congrats on your Cooking Light gig!
Thanks Kim!!
Ooh, that is tasty looking pasta!
This pizza looks amazing and easily veganizable with Trader Joe’s Vegan Mozzarella shreds, yum! True that pizza can be awfully unhealthy, but homemade can be amazingly healthy! And happy Friday! 🙂
I think Friday nights are pizza night. I was bad and splurged on veggie pizza tonight, four fat slices. I haven’t had pizza in so long and it was so good, however your pizza looks amazing!!!!! I am so bookmarking your recipe and make it!
Enjoy the weekend, 90’s next week in the East Bay!!
Friday pizza nights are the best, especially when it can be like this healthy indulgence here!
That’s a great looking pizza and it looks very healthy to me. I can imagine your working weeks are very lengthy and exhausting so it’s a credit to you that you’re able to find the time to cook and eat well xx
I love homemade pizza and this looks mouthwatering!
Tonight we went Out to an Italian and we had a wonderful crispy vegetarian Pizza.
But Yours Looks Really Great and it Must Taste gorgeous….I am sure.Yummy
That’s a great looking pizza! Gorgeous colours and lovely toppings!
Dearest Kristianne,
THANKS for this healthy recipe. Lovely photos and I wish you a sunny Sunday.
Hugs,
Mariette
We don’t have pizza often, and when we do it’s usually take out from a local place. It’s the meats and cheese on pizza that tend to make it unhealthy (well, the crust doesn’t help!) but we indulge because we eat it so rarely. I definitely should make our own, though – I have in the past, and it’s loads of fun. Good stuff here – thanks.
This pizza is gorgeous! And I agree, it must be healthier! I need to make this one soon! I wish it was Friday!