Cauliflower Crust Pizza

My friend told me about a new pizza crust recipe that she tried that included cauliflower in the crust.  I immediately wrinkled my nose in disgust because I am NOT a cauliflower fan.  She quickly reassured me, "No! I thought that too but it's really good!"

I still doubted her review, but this is a friend who does not eat a wide variety of foods so I figured it must be somewhat good if she made it AND ate it. So I decided to give it a try.

I was going to do a google search for a recipe, but then I turned to my brand new birthday gift - iPad!  I found an app from Spark People, a cookbook I acquired at Christmas, so I loaded it up and searched for "cauliflower crust pizza".  Several recipes came back, all similar, but below is the one I used.

The Recipe:
1 cup raw, grated cauliflower (I used a food processor)
1 egg
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 tsp. oregano
2 tsp. parsley
Optional:  Add any other Italian spices as desired, such as dried or fresh basil)

*Preheat oven to 450*
*Spray a cookie sheet or pizza pan with non-stick spray (can also use parchment paper).
*In a medium bowl, combine cauliflower, egg, mozzarella and desired spices.

Cauliflower pieces in the processor

It's not completely smooth, more like a fine grating

Add egg, cheese, spices

All ingredients mixed together

*Press evenly on baking pan

Ready for the oven

*Bake at 450* for 12-15 minutes

Just out of the oven

*Remove the pan from the oven.  To the crust, add sauce, then desired toppings and cheese. 

Tomato, broccoli, cheese

*Place under broiler, on high heat, until cheese is melted.

I had enough dough that I made a tiny individual pizza.
This individual pizza was just the right crispiness for me.

The Verdict:
I had my doubts, but I was pleasantly surprised.  It was really good!  My dough was a little too wet, I think, so it didn't get as crispy as I would like.  The next time I make this, I will wash my cauliflower ahead of time so it has time to dry before I chop it.  I washed it right before chopping so I think it was too wet. 

I mixed all of my ingredients in a food processor, and that worked really well.  My friend used a hand grater and grated the cauliflower into a bowl.  She said that worked really well too. 

I added fresh tomato and broccoli for my toppings. I really wanted it to be fresh basil but I couldn't find any at the store.  I do have 2 more cups of cauliflower in the freezer ready to go to make at least two more pizzas.  I am saving one until I have fresh basil and tomato in my hand!

I will definitely make it again.  My kids ate their stand-by pizzas, mini deep dish pizzas, but I shared my cauliflower crust pizza with my mom and she thought it was very tasty as well.

By the way, I am so proud of myself for actually taking LOTS of pictures this time!