Pleasing pizzas

Cauliflower pizza

1 medium cauliflower

1 egg

½ teaspoon garlic salt

½ teaspoon dried mixed herbs — or basil or rosemary

¾ cup tomato paste or pizza sauce

1 cup mozzarella cheese (¼cup is for the base)

¼ red onion, finely sliced

Fresh basil leaves

Pre heat the oven to 180°C on fan bake. Line an oven tray with baking paper

Remove the stems from the cauliflower and cut into chunks. Place the cauliflower into a food processor and pulse until it is in very fine pieces

Place the cauliflower into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 4 minutes.

Remove from the microwave and let cool for 5 minutes. It can get quite hot so be careful

Place the cauliflower into a clean tea towel and squeeze out the excess water. This is an important step because you want to make sure you get out as much moisture as you can.

In a bowl, mix the cauliflower, egg, garlic salt, ¼ cup cheese, and dried herbs. Stir well until combined. Place onto the lined oven tray and spread the mixture out into the shape of a pizza crust.

Bake for 15 minutes or until the crust is golden and crispy.

Remove from the oven and cover with tomato paste, onion and mozarella cheese. Bake for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese melts.

Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve warm.

5 eggplants, sliced in half lengthwise

1 handful of fresh basil, chopped

3 fresh thyme sprigs, stems discarded and leaves chopped

1 fresh chilli, finely chopped (optional)

Pizza sauce (store bought or homemade)

1 handful of mozzarella cheese (or cheese of your choice)

Olive oil

Salt and black pepper

Heat oven to 200°C on grill

Sprinkle sliced eggplants with salt and let sit for about 30 minutes (or until moisture draws out). Wipe with a paper towel to remove both the moisture and salt.

Mix pizza sauce with basil, chilli and thyme leaves.

Spray both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil.

Put cut-side down in a baking dish and grill for about 15 minutes or until soft on the grilled side, turn over and repeat until softened and cut side is golden.

Take out of the oven and spread with pizza sauce mixture, top with cheese and cracked pepper, return to grill for about 5 minutes or until cheese is just golden.

Serve with a crisp green salad.

1 cup warm water

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon active dry yeast

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

2 cups mushrooms, sliced

1 tablespoon olive oil

¾ cup mozzarella cheese

¼ cup pizza sauce

¼ red onion, finely sliced

1-2 tablespoons fresh herbs, chopped (oregano, basil and parsley work well)

Freshly ground pepper

Preheat the oven to 180°C on fan bake. Line an oven tray with baking paper

To make the pizza crust, put the warm water into a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar and yeast and stir to combine. Let mixture sit for 5 minutes or until bubbles form.

Add olive oil and gently stir to combine. Add the flour and salt and mix until a ball begins to form. If mixture is very sticky, add more flour.

Transfer to a floured surface and knead into a smooth dough. Roll dough out into desired shape and gently transfer to oven tray. Bake for 5 minutes.

Remove from the oven and cover with pizza sauce, and toppings.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden. Cool slightly, sprinkle with herbs, cut and serve.

— Courtesy of 5+A Day