Monday, May 17, 2010

Pizza!

That's right, PIZZA!  And no weird tasting or textured crust!  This is a great for when you got gotta have that pizza fix.  This recipe has a lot of play when it comes to toppings, so there will be no exact measurements.  Remember to eat good quality foods, and pick your battles.  When choosing toppings read labels and be as picky you want/need to be!  This is a good one for families with kids as they can pick their toppings and so can you! 

Ingredients:
1 medium chicken breast/person (crust)
Any or all your favorite pizza toppings!
     pepperoni
     sausage*
     burger
     mushrooms*
     black olives*
     broccoli (use small florets)*
     marinara/ or canned diced tomatoes*
     onions*
     jalapeno*
     bacon
     prosciutto
     Canadian bacon
     pineapple
     steak
     salt and pepper*
     oregano*
     basil*
     crushed red pepper
     WHATEVER YOU WANT :)*
     
Other Supplies
     cutting board or hard surface to pound on
     plastic wrap
     meat tenderizer/mallet preferably with smooth edge (small frying pans work too :) )
    

1.  Slice open chicken breast to increase surface area, but make sure to not slice completely in half.  Stop so that one edge is still attached, but breast opens up.  Here is how I did it.  Since I am right handed I pointed the thickest part of the the breast down and to my right, this is the corner I will start slicing.  
Start slicing from right to left, stopping before cutting the breast in half.  As you slice open the breast up, it will look look like an upside down heart when finished.
If you haven't already, place the chicken on a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap.  Take frying pan or whatever meat smoosher you got and whack away! Try to evenly thin out the breast, like you would roll out pizza dough.  A perfect 'round' pizza shape is not necessary, nor worth the effort.  Pound as thin as possible without completely obliterating the unity of the crust, flip breast to other side and pound if needed. 
The chicken will plump and shrink some when cooking (if too thick it won't hold all your yummy toppings as well!).  The plastic wrap will keep pieces of mangled meat from spraying you in the face, clothing and counter tops. I learned that the hard way.
Lightly coat baking sheet with olive oil to keep chicken from sticking and place chicken in baking sheet.  If you have holes in your crust push together, and add your crust seasonings.  Bake (broil or grill) chicken until done (meat is all white and juice is clear).

This will take about 12-15 min at 400 degrees depending on thickness.  Try not to over cook or it gets really dry and chewy. 

2.  While chicken is cooking prepare other toppings.  Brown the sausage, fry bacon, saute onions and mushrooms, etc. (I sauteed my jalapeno, mushrooms, red onion, and broccoli all together in olive oil)

3.  When chicken crust is done add your favorite toppings! And place back in oven for a light toasting (low broil for a few min).  I like to get my broccoli just slightly browned.  If you are a dairy eater add your toppings and your cheese, and lightly broil until cheese melts/bubbles.    

4.  Remove from oven divide as necessary (if you used large chicken breasts it may be big enough for 2 servings).  Actual pizza slices are not necessary, or again worth the effort. 

5.  For all you Montanans, North Dakotans, and non-strict paleo people; ranch dressing makes a yummy dipping sauce.  So does marinara.


All ingredients can be found at any grocery store.  Side dish ideas could be any left over sauteed veggies, or serve with a side salad.  If you made a mostly veggie topped pizza you may not want (or have room!) for a side.   


*notes the toppings I used and are seen in the pictures.  I did use mild Italian sausage from Heebs grocery store.  As the exact ingredients are unknown, I chose it because it is delicious and it is made fresh at Heebs.   I also did put cheese on this, which isn't strict paleo.  It is up to you and your goals whether or not you chose to add dairy.  It is still delicious without cheese.   
**Heck yeah, I drink wine with my pizza usually its in a Mason jar!

No comments:

Post a Comment