Monday, September 14, 2009

Spinach Stuffed Pizza

{Meatless Monday}

This is a recipe that I just made up after we had a delicious vegetarian stuffed pizza at a mall one day. So there is not any exact recipe that I use...it kind of turns out a little different each time depending on what is in my fridge!

The basics that you will need:


I just use whatever cheeses I have in my refrigerator...but cottage cheese is ALWAYS one of them. You could also use ricotta, I just don't buy it as often. I have also used Swiss American slices from Sam's Club on the bottom layer of the pizza and it was delicious!

Here is my PIZZA CRUST RECIPE ...this makes one crust, so double it for this stuffed pizza):
2 1/2 - 3 cups flour
1 T. dry yeast
1 tsp salt
1 cup warm water
2 T. cooking oil
1 T. Lecithin granules (it has been a LONG time since I have had these...they are available at the Health food store and they work as a dough conditioner)

Combine 1 cup flour with the yeast, salt, and lecithin. Then add warm water and oil. Let sit 15-20 min.

This is my dough after I've let it sit in the mixer for 15 min.

Then add enough flour to make soft, but not sticky, dough.


Take the dough and roll it out into a circle to fit your desired pan. I use slightly more of the dough for the bottom crust. You want the top to be a little thinner so that it can cook well. I cook mine on my baking stone. Precook the bottom crust at 400* for about 10 min or so...just so it gets about 1/2 way cooked.

Then I always drizzle on olive oil and herbs before I put on all my toppings.


Then just pile on whatever toppings you would like. I used tons of different cheeses, my own frozen spinach (fresh spinach works great too!!--be sure to drain extra water off of frozen spinach!), and then sauteed peppers and mushrooms for the grown-up's side.


Roll out the second ball of dough and place over toppings...gently pressing the edges of the crusts together. Bake at 375-400 for 10-12 min. (I'm actually totally guessing on the time...I just bake it until the crust looks like this: )

I normally rub a cube of butter quickly over the top to give it that yummy saltiness on the crust, but I had actually run out the door and left instructions for my daughter to take the final photos!
ALL my kids love this pizza...even the one who says "Why do we have gross stuff every night for dinner??" ; )

Hope you enjoy it and if you come up with some fantastic variation...let me know!!

4 comments:

  1. I love this pizza! I cannot wait to make it. I love the "why do we have gross stuff every night for dinner" comment... lol

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  2. who says that? I will have to try this recipe when i can have real food again. :)

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  3. My guess is L says it... It sounds like something she'd say!

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  4. Yes...it is L...she is still my pickiest eater! You should see how dramatic she can be sometimes!

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