Cauliflower Pizza Crust

alright.

we are going to get the huge elephant out of the room FIRST... this recipe calls for dairy.  { GASP OF HORROR }.  it's true.  I said it... there.  in our household, we strive to keep dairy off our plates, but it happens.  we are human + before the Gillies, our 5yr old twins entered our world... mama + daddy loved them some dairy, particularly cheese.  

it wasn't until our journey into optimal brain + gut health, I realized MY belly doesn't tolerate dairy products well.  um... Amber, let's be real.  I knew my body didn't tolerate dairy well early on in life... for instance: 

1.  unfortunate incident at boyfriend (now hubster) family's fishing cabin... where I was meeting everyone for the first time + they served me homemade vanilla ice cream by the GALLON.  it may not be a gallon size but it took a toll on my gut + there is a hilarious story which developed from there.

2.  at a veterinary job interview, I met my late boss at a dairy farm... where he shoved a tall glass of milk in my hands stating, "I don't trust anyone I can't have a glass of milk with."  let's say, I got the job... but in 30 minutes, I also had a new relationship with the bathroom facilities at the farm. 

anywho.  TMI?  possibly... but I wanted to let you know this recipe DOES CALL FOR DAIRY!  so, if that's a problem - shun your eyes and stop reading.

GROCERIES:

• 1 bag of frozen cauliflower rice (do yourself a favor + skip on the roasted garlic flavor)
• 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese (from grass-fed cows would make me feel better)
• 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese 
• 1 egg 
• seasoning:  I love to use fresh herbs + spices so I tore it up... dashes of garlic, basil, parsley, oregano and black pepper.

 
NOW WHAT?

1. Preheat the oven to 425F 
2. Place the cauliflower rice in microwave + reheat according to instructions on the bag!
3. Take out a mixing bowl... whisk the egg and add the cheeses then spices!  
4. Using caution, drain the cauliflower rice THOROUGHLY (see tips) and once dried, mix into the egg/cheese mixture. 
5. Take out a baking sheet + USE PARCHMENT PAPER... place the cauliflower mixture in an evenly spread out layer on top of the parchment paper.
6. Place the baking sheet in the oven for 15 minutes (or less depending on your oven).
7. Once thoroughly cooked, remove from oven (use caution) and add toppings of your choice:  we used chopped spinach, bell pepper slices, homemade marinara sauce and mushrooms. Place back in oven for 5-7 minutes until toppings are cooked to your liking. 
8. VOILA! 

TIPS

Now.  I'll be real with you, here are some helpful tips which I have discovered along the way!

• love.  save yourself some trouble and just purchase a bag of cauliflower rice, I think they are 14oz. seriously.  this will save you time... headache... dishes to clean and, well, isn't that enough? 
• once you take out the cauliflower rice from the microwave it will be HOT yes.  you will also need to drain all the excess moisture from the rice... I spread out a clean dishtowel (not paper towel) and dumped the cauliflower rice in the center then pulled up the sides to squeeze out all the excess water.  sorta like a makeshift cheesecloth.  if you have a cheesecloth, that would be ideal.
• for goodness sake, use parchment paper... not foil, not just baking spray... parchment paper.  TRUST ME.  I have done all three... and let's just say, when using foil + baking spray - we had takeout or scrambled eggs for dinner. 

Whew!  That's it... now, if you try it, tag me and let me see!!!

love + gumption.

a.

The Brain + Gut Health Explorer