Because I generally avoid white, floury, excessively-processed foods, pizza usually isn’t on the menu in Casa Fizzi. Instead, I’ll force-feed my sister and father endless piles of salad, beans, fish, curries, and sprouts. Yes, sprouts (sorry guys!). Of course, those two wouldn’t live by my dinners of protein/ fat/ vegetable dishes alone, so I always serve up some brown rice or another starch for a happy family. However, when my sister requested pizza, I had to get thinking.
If I’d had more time last night, I might have had a shot at making cauliflower pizza bases, or coconut/ chickpea flour ones. But, in need of a quick dinner, I resorted to the only thing I could think of: capsicums! So, while my father and sister ate a pre-bought pizza base, I put the toppings on a vegetable for myself. Typical me.
Capsicums are full of antioxidants – vitamins A, C, and E – as well as B-vitamins. They contain minerals like potassium, manganese, and zinc, and are anti-bacterial/ fungal, prevent blood clots, cancer, reduce cholesterol, help your digestion, and do much more! Who would ever want white-flour pizza crust? Seriously . . .
This recipe can be vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, egg-free, and nut-free (depending on your toppings).
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Serves 1, adjust quantities for more people
Ingredients:
– 1 small capsicum, washed, halved lengthwise, and de-seeded
– 1/2 Tablespoon tomato paste
– sliced: (pick whatever!)
Onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, ham/ salami/ bacon, feta, etc.
– grated cheese, if desired
– dried herbs (marjoram, oregano, basil) and pepper
Method:
1. Spread the tomato paste into each capsicum half, then layer on the toppings of choice.
2. Top with cheese, herbs, and pepper, then bake in a 220 degrees Celsius oven for 10-15 minutes (until the capsicum is cooked through and toppings a hot/ melted).
3. Serve with salad, vinaigrette, and Tabasco, and enjoy! 🙂
The pictures in this post are actually my lunch, because I made 3 capsicum half pizzas last night and only ate two. You can use whatever colour you’d like – I made yellow, red, and green pizzas!