Wednesday 4 January 2012

Yummy Gluten Free Pizza

Yummy Gluten Free Pizza



Not only is this a quick and simple alternative to traditional pizza, it's also super healthy and loaded with vitamins and phytonutrients. The base is made from gram flour, which is literally ground up raw chickpeas. (FYI, its one of those things that has loads of different names so look out for besan, chickpea or gram flour at the supermarket- it's all the same). 

Gram flour is so much healthier than the typical wheat alternative as it's a great source of protein and minerals such as manganese, folate and iron. Also, including a non meat sources of protein in your diet is a healthy way to reduce your intake of saturated fat. 
Be as creative as you like with the toppings, we say the more the merrier and love to pile on the greens afterwards. If we have to give one recommendation though- make sure it's a rainbow of colours as each colour offers different nutritional benefits:

  • Red: lots of lycopene an antioxidant = reduces cancer risk, lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol
  • Yellow-Orange: beta-carotene an antioxidant and vitamin C = detoxifies and inhibits tumour cell growth, supports immune function and fights harmful free radicals
  • Green: chlorophyll, folate and calcium = builds healthy cells, reduces cancer risks, normalises digestion time 
  • Blue: anthocyanins = destroy free radicals and fights inflammation
  • Red-purple: reservatrol = plaque reducer, helps with mineral absorption
  • Brown: (legumes, whole grains) fibre = carcinogen remover

Ingredients:
Base:
·    2 cups gram (chickpea) flour
·    2 cups water (enough to make a pancake type batter)
·    Sea salt and pepper to taste

Toppings:
·    Tomato paste
·    Pesto
·    Any vegetables you like on pizza, we use mushrooms, red peppers, red onion, baby marrow
·    Mozzarella cheese or goats cheese
·    Avocado, rocket
·    Seasoning (Oregano/ mixed herbs/ chilli/ sea salt and pepper)


Directions:

  1. Mix the gram flour and water together until it forms a batter similar to pancake mixture
  2. Heat a little oil in frying pan and pour enough batter into it to make a thickish base, cooking both sides.
  3. Take out and cover with tomato paste and pesto
  4. Add chosen vegetables to your base
  5. Sprinkle with seasoning and add chosen cheese to the top
  6. Grill in the oven for 5 mins or until cheese is melted.
  7. Remove from oven and add rocket and avocado. 
Enjoy!


We would love to hear what your favourite topping choices are so do leave a comment below.





1 comment:

  1. Hi There, Tried these last night and they were a huge success... very filling. i have a husband who likes meat and starch to fill him up and he thoroughly enjoyed these! we had roasted veggies with a bit of mozarella melted on top, topped with a good handful of spinach :)

    ReplyDelete