Craving Pizza But on a Diet? Lazy PIzza Bowl is Here!

 

I've lost over 5 pounds in 10 days, so I wanted to deal with my pizza craving in a creative way.  I've been making big pots of veggie chili, big bowls of fruit salad with every kind of fruit imaginable, and big bowls of my favorite Sugar Snap Pea salad (recipe to come), so that whenever I'm hungry I have something healthy to eat.

I have cut out wheat and sugar.  My energy is spectacular all day long and I'm not limiting any of my food intake, just eating whole delicious foods.  So, I knew I didn't want to screw with my energy by having the bread in pizza, or the heavy cheese. 

I asked myself what I was really craving and it was the cheesy tomatoey-ness.  I wanted a "veggie pizza" so I thought I would make a veggie stew with garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano and garlic salt and throw a little smoked mozzarella on top.  All the spicy goodness of a veggie pizza with the awesome smoky cheesiness!

Lazy Pizza Bowl

1-2 chopped Onion(s)
Several cloves Garlic
4-5 Zucchini
4-5 Yellow Squash
1 head of Broccoli (head only used)
1 bag sliced Mushrooms
4 cans Chopped Tomatoes
1 can Sliced Olives -drained
1 can Artichoke Hearts - drained
1 or 2 teaspoons Oregano
1 Bay Leaf
1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (or less/none if you don't put red pepper flakes on your pizza! LOL!)
Garlic Salt to Taste
1/2 oz to 1 oz -- Smoked Mozzarella

Sautee chopped garlic and onions in a little Olive Oil until soft.  Chop up all the other ingredients into bite-sized pieces.  Add veggies to the garlic and onions, cook for a few minutes.  Drain off excess water created by veggies.  Add all the spices, stir.  Add tomatoes, olives, artichoke hearts and simmer until flavors are all set. 

I put the tiniest amount of smoked mozzarella on top.  Very thin slices melt easily with a quick microwave zap.  Very little needed for big cheesy bang.

Lactose Intolerant?  Plenty of yum without the cheese!

Buon Appetito!