It took me a while to make this pizza crust after first learning about it. I spent a bit of time researching some different cauliflower crust recipes and ended up with this one because it did not use regular cheese and it was the healthier option. Part of the reason it took me so long to make was because cauliflower is not something I typically have in my fridge and it is often more expensive than my #1 beloved broccoli, and because I knew I would need a good amount of time to make the rest of the meal (the pizza toppings for this crust). After a month or so I was ready to make it. My curiosity was killing me.
In order to make the crust I first needed to shop for my cauliflower. I had been so eager to go to this one specific produce market in Portland, which continually gets rave reviews online for local and inexpensive goods. So on the first day of my weekend I wrote my directions to the market on paper and set off to explore. When I drove up to the market I was a little skeptical because the shop was so small and not in the best neighborhood. But my doubts quickly diminished after seeing the sign for plump, red, large cherries priced at $1.50 a pound! I couldn't believe it; I picked up a cherry and ate it from the bin. I had to test the cherry before overloading and buying bad cherries. (I remember I was allowed to do this often as a kid with grapes, I think on every trip to the store.) The cherry I sampled was so sweet and soft; I got a bag full even before looking around. I found the cauliflower (at the same price as the broccoli) and so many other producey goods like Walla Walla sweet onions, a plum-agranet, which is a cross between a plum and a pomegranet, and huge apricots. I loaded up my basket with $20 worth of fruit and produce and was on my way home to make my crust.
I had planned to make the pizza that night, but after my late start shopping trip and the gym and my 9:30 "Roman Holiday" movie date (which was playing on a projector at the park that night), I just ran out of time. I got as far as making the crust and was going to top it later, but I ended up eating it like a big cracker. Now at least I know the recipe turned out and could count on it again. The flavor of my crust was so good and tasty, I was both surprised and delighted. The consistency of the "crust/ big lazy person cracker" was like a very thin rectangular flatbread. It could be rolled, ripped, torn or cut I suppose. I'll be making the pizza soon I hope, but for now I have plans to make this recipe again and will eat as crackers.
The recipe:
2 C grated cauliflower
1 egg white
1 C cottage cheese
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried parsley
1 Tbsp dried minced garlic
1 Tbsp dried chopped onion
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp hot sauce (I used Cholula)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Grate cauliflower with a cheese grater (you may be able to use a food chopper, I'll try next time) until you have a fine rice like consistency. Place the cauliflower in a bowl and microwave for 8 minutes, do NOT add water or cover. Meanwhile while the cauliflower is cooking, place rest of ingredients in food processor and blend until smooth. When cauliflower is done add the blended ingredients to it and mix with a spoon. This is your dough. Now you can glob it onto the parchment paper baking sheet and spread it out with a rubber spatula. It needs to be spread really thin. After you have spread it evenly, bake for about 30 minutes give or take until you like the consistency. I would suggest putting it under the broiler after baking to crisp it up for a thin, crisp crust. But I imagine if you like a softer crust then you could reduce the time and not broil.
When the crust is done you can add warmed spaghetti sauce and sauteed veggies, meats, cheese, etc. and put back in the oven under the broiler to melt any cheese or crisp any toppings.
And again I don't believe I took a picture and I literally just finished eating my last cracker piece while posting this. :(
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