Cauliflower Crust Pizza: Fig Jam & Onion vs. Tomato Basil & Garlic

It's only human nature to love pizza, but this is my more guilt-free way to enjoy it! After lots of trial and error, I can confidently say I have come up with the perfect cauliflower crust pizza recipe --  don't worry, it doesn't even taste like cauliflower! My two favorites - a more traditional style with tomato sauce, mozzarella, tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil; and a sweeter version with fig jam, caramelized onions, goat cheese and fresh arugula. Enjoy!

Cauliflower Crust Pizza: Fig Jam & Onion vs. Tomato Basil & Garlic

Makes 2 small pizzas

Ingredients [for the "dough"]

• 2 lbs cauliflower florets (about 1 large head, chopped)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup mozzarella, shredded
• 1/4 cup soft goat cheese
• 2 tablespoons almond meal
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Ingredients [for "Pizza #1"]

• 1/2 cup your favorite tomato sauce (or even better, my Homemade Marinara Sauce recipe. Just be sure to make it before you start this recipe)
• 8 grape tomatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, julienned
• 1 clove garlic, sliced
• 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded

Ingredients [for "Pizza #2"]

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 yellow onions, sliced
• 2-3 tablespoons fig jam
• 1/3 cup soft goat cheese
• 1 handful of arugula
• Pinch of black pepper

Directions

~ Always read through the ingredient list & full directions first. Do all of your cutting/chopping at the beginning -- it makes things much easier. For this recipe, that includes: cauliflower, grape tomatoes, basil, garlic, and onions. ~

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook for 7-10 minutes, until the layer on the bottom is caramelized. Add a good punch of salt, stir, reduce the heat to low, and cook until the onions are caramelized and brown, 45 minutes - 1 hour. Stir every 10 minutes*.
   ~ While the onions are cooking... ~
2. Preheat oven to 400°F.
3. Place your cauliflower florets in the food processor and blend them until they resemble a rice-like texture.
4. Place your cauliflower "rice" in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes. Using oven mitts, dump the bowl of cauliflower onto a clean cheesecloth or kitchen towel. Wait for it to cool for a few minutes, then ring out all the excess moisture over the sink**.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the dough and mix thoroughly with your hands.
6. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and form 2 pizza crusts, about 1/4 inch thick. Bake until the crusts are golden brown and firm, about 25 minutes (see photo below).
7. Carefully remove the pan from the oven and top your pizzas! For Pizza #1: layer tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella, grape tomatoes, and garlic. For Pizza #2: layer fig jam, caramelized onions, and pats of goat cheese. Bake until the mozzarella on Pizza #1 is melted, 8-10 minutes.
8. Remove pizzas from the oven. Top Pizza #1 with the basil and top Pizza #2 with the arugula and black pepper. Enjoy!

* Don't stir more than every 10 minutes, the onions need time to caramelize on the pan.
** Be careful, it will be very hot, and there will be a lot of moisture!

Cauliflower pizza crusts fresh out the oven.