Rustic Pizza

When you love pizza and love a slim trim waistline enjoy raw plant powered pizzas that will do the trick. Loaded with nuts, seeds and then your favourite veggie toppings you can relax and know that you’ve done your body well. This raw pizza crust is made with the sunflower seeds. Full of B vitamins to help your body detox and stay energized as well as magnesium to promote a great quality of sleep. Here’s a little Italy for you anytime!

Rustic pizza, often characterized by its artisanal preparation and use of fresh, high-quality ingredients, offers several benefits:

Fresh Ingredients: Rustic pizzas typically use fresh, seasonal ingredients. This means better flavor and higher nutritional value compared to frozen or mass-produced pizzas.
Whole Grain Crusts: Many rustic pizzas use whole grain or alternative flour crusts, which can add fiber and nutrients compared to traditional refined flour crusts.
Variety of Toppings: Rustic pizzas often include a wide variety of toppings such as vegetables, lean proteins, and herbs, which can boost nutrient intake and cater to diverse dietary preferences.
Customization: You can customize rustic pizzas to suit your dietary needs (gluten-free, vegan, etc.) and personal preferences, making it a versatile meal option.
Flavor Profiles: The use of herbs, spices, and unique combinations of toppings can elevate the taste experience, making rustic pizza a gourmet meal.
Social Eating Experience: Rustic pizzas are often shared among groups, promoting a social dining atmosphere that can enhance the overall experience of eating.

Sunflower Seeds: A Power Food

Sunflower seeds are often considered a “power food” due to their dense nutritional profile. Here are some key benefits and information:

Nutrient-Rich: Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, and several B vitamins, contributing to overall health.
Healthy Fats: They are high in healthy fats, including polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, which can promote heart health.
High in Protein: Sunflower seeds provide a good amount of plant-based protein, making them a great addition to diets for vegetarians and vegans.
Antioxidant Properties: They contain antioxidants, including vitamin E and phenolic acids, which can help fight inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.
Rich in Fiber: The fiber content in sunflower seeds can aid in digestion and promote a feeling of fullness, which can help with weight management.
Versatile Ingredient: Sunflower seeds can be consumed raw, roasted, or as sunflower seed butter. They can also be added to salads, smoothies, granola, and baked goods.

Rustic Pizza

Power Food: Sunflower Seeds

Free From: Gluten, Dairy, Soy

Course Snack

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings 2

Ingredients

Raw Pizza Crust:

1 cup sunflower seeds soaked overnight in 2 cup waters or *buckwheat
1 cup flax meal ground flax seeds
½ cup each: hemp hearts & chia seeds
½ cup herbs fresh (of choice i.e. parsley, basil, rosemary etc.)
2 Tbsp. extra virgin coconut oil EVCO
½ cup carrots finely grated (or other veggies i.e. zucchini)
sea salt & pepper to taste

1 Minute Tomato Sauce:

1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
¼ cup each: vegetable stock low sodium & gluten-free & lemon juice
2 cloves garlic
Blend until smooth adding water if needed to reach desired consistency

1 Minute Pesto:

2 cups kale leaves packed
pinch sea salt; 1 Tbsp. EVCO
¼ cup pine nuts; ¼ cup dried basil or 1 cup fresh
¼ cup lemon juice; 1 tsp. lemon juice
1 clove garlic
Blend until smooth adding water if needed.

1 Minute Nut Cheese:

¾ cup cashews raw (soaked overnight)
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. lemon zest
Blend until reaches cottage cheese like consistency adding water if needed.

Directions

Preheat oven at lowest setting (raw version) or 350ºF for a non-raw version.
Add sunflower seeds with soaking water, flax meal, hemp hearts, chia seeds and herbs to a food processor. Process until well blended. Fold in carrots and season with sea salt and pepper to taste.
Spread on a parchment lined baking sheet in desired shape(s) and bake:
Raw Version: On the lowest setting of your oven with the door ajar (to keep the temperature below 115ºF for a true raw version) for 4-6 hours or until crisp. If available, use a dehydrator, placing the spread pizza crust mixture on a parchment lined dehydrator tray and dehydrate overnight.
Non Raw Version: at 350ºF for 20-25 minutes or until crisp and the middle is cooked.
Top with 1 Minute Tomato Sauce and or 1 Minute Pesto your favourite toppings i.e. pesto, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, basil and 1 Minute Nut Cheese.

Notes

*Health Nut: Buckwheat: To kick this recipe up a health notch you can use sprouted buckwheat. Simply soak buckwheat overnight as above, drain & rinse a few times. Continue to drain & rinse three times a day for 1-2 days and then you will have sprouts! You can also place in a sprouting jar with a mesh lid (set at a 45 degree angle to allow for proper drainage) or sprouting tray after the soaking stage, if available.

*Cook’s Notes: Pizza crusts can be put in a sealed container with parchment paper between layers in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months.