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Sweet Potato and Chickpea Pizza #recipe

My Hubby and son are totally in love with pizza. I’m sure they would eat it everyday, if I let them. I try to accommodate their love for it, by making homemade pizza, at least 3 times a month. I usually get bored with the regular cheese and pepperoni pizza and let’s face it, I hate the fact that their pizza is seriously lacking vegetables and protein. So, I’ve been trying to make myself some different, more healthy pizza versions. It also doesn’t help that my Hubby can eat anything under the sun and loose weight, while I dream of cookies and gain 5 lbs…. Why does being a woman have to be so hard?? LOL

This one has to be my favorite by far. I’m crazy for chick peas, so I thought it would be fun to top a pizza with them. I also wanted to add extra nutrition, so I thinly sliced some sweet potatoes to go on top. This pizza is very addictive! I love that the sweet potatoes pair so well with the sweet golden caramelized onion and creamy chick peas. I added a bit of crushed red pepper flakes for heat and some spinach for a healthy color contrast. A small sprinkle of cheese adds just the right amount of saltiness, without adding too many calories. The guys think I’m crazy for trying to make healthy pizza, but it sure does help me from getting bored on pizza night!!

Sweet Potato and Chickpea Pizza

Ingredients:

2 large onions, thinly sliced
3 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs brown sugar
1 Tbs balsamic vinegar
a pinch of salt and pepper
1 small sweet potato, peeled and thinly sliced
1 C cooked chick peas, drained and rinsed
1/4- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 C frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 C mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 Tbs fresh thyme, chopped

Crust:
3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 package (2 1/4 tsp) Rapid Rise Yeast
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup very warm water (120 to 130F)
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
Cornmeal

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

In large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, undissolved yeast, and salt. Stir very warm water and olive oil into dry ingredients. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4 to 6 minutes. Cover; let rest on floured surface 10 minutes. Lightly oil 1 (14-inch) or 2 (12-inch) round pizza pan(s).** Sprinkle with cornmeal. Shape dough into smooth ball. Divide and roll dough to fit desired pan(s).

In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium low heat. Add the onion, toss to coat and cook until translucent; about 5 minutes. Add the brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper; cook for 10 minutes more, until nicely golden brown. Spread caramelized onion over rolled out pizza dough.

Place sweet potato slices over caramelized onion and sprinkle with chick peas and spinach. Season with desired amount of crushed red pepper.  Toss mozzarella cheese with thyme and sprinkle over toppings. Bake for 15-20 minutes; until crust is golden brown around the edges.

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Cindy is a Stay at Home Mom of 2, married to a Chef. Cindy quickly realized that if she didn’t want to live off of cereal, blue box Mac’n’Cheese and TV dinners, she needed to get into the kitchen; after a long day at work, the last thing her hubby wants is to cook her a 4 star dinner. When her son turned 2, she decided to start blogging and Hun… What’s for Dinner? was born. Cindy tries to share healthy and wholesome dishes, with a few desserts here and there. Though baking is her passion, she has recently become more adventurous in the kitchen and loves creating new and innovative recipes.

Debbie White-Beattie

Saturday 15th of December 2018

This is a really healthy pizza and way better for you than the original

Cindy @ Hun, What's for Dinner?

Wednesday 27th of June 2012

Thanks Jeanine!

Mmmm, mashed potatoes on pizza?? That would be so good with bacon, green onion and cheddar.... not the figure friendliest, but it would be so good!! LOL

Jeanine - the Baking Beauties

Thursday 21st of June 2012

This looks fantastic, Cindy! I've started doing different things with my pizza too, like hummus or salsa instead of sauce, or skip the sauce all together and slather on roasted garlic mashed potatoes. We like trying different things, so I'll keep this in mind the next time we have pizza night (which is like once a week here). :)