Craving pizza?

I must admit, that of all the fast foods and take out, the one I really WANT is pizza. If you are trying to eat healthy, pizza can be a challenge. It's covered with cheese, right? For take out, the best alternative I've found is to order a thin crust veggie. Overall, it's lower in calories and fat, simply because there is less crust and no meat. However, there is that argument that this is not REALLY pizza -- no chewy crust, no gooey strings of cheese. What's a pizza lover to do? Here's a recipe that might help when you are craving ooey, gooey goodness!

Cheese Lovers Roasted Garlic Pizza

One 10 oz. refrigerated pizza crust or make your own (using 1-2 T. olive oil only!)

8 garlic cloves, roasted (method to follow)

3 oz. shredded part skim mozarella cheese

3 oz. shredded fontina or provolone cheese

1 teaspoon dried basil or 2 T. shredded fresh basil

3 large plum tomatoes, sliced

2 T. good grated parmesan cheese


First, prepare your roasted garlic. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Place the whole cloves on a square of aluminum foil. Drizzle them with a little olive oil, just enough to wet them. Wrap the foil around them, sealing it up so the oil doesn't leak out. Roast them for 20 minutes, until soft and lightly browned. Now, on with the pizza. Raise your oven temp. to 425 degress F.Spray your pie pan (12" round or 13 X 9" cookie sheet) with cooking spray (use the olive oil kind if you have it). Unroll your pizza dough and press into the prepared pan. Take your roasted garlic out of it pouch, and using your fingers, press out the cloves from their skins. Place them on the dough, evenly spacing them so there is about one for every slice of pizza. Mash them slightly with the back of a spoon. Add your tomatoes, basil and cheese. Bake until cheese is bubbly, about 12 - 15 minutes.

NOTE: If you put the cheese on the very top, it will get a little brown. If you want "softer cheese" put the tomatoes on the top and add some more "free food" VEGGIES! Try mushrooms, peppers or onions for very few calories and more great taste! I like roasted red peppers and (I must confess!) canned mushrooms.

If you use the refrigerated crust and cut it into 8 slices, each slice is approx. 206 calories, with 8 grams of fat, 1 gram of fiber. Your homemade crust may be slightly more, but should still be ok if you keep to the suggested 1-2 T. olive oil.
Enjoy! And in the words of our favorite and first TV chef, Bon Appetit!