Love pizza but hate the calories that come with eating even one slice? Then you HAVE to try this eggplant pizza recipe!
Pizza was once known as a dish for poor people and was sold in the streets and not considered a recipe for a very long time. A popular story about the coming of the traditional pizza comes from Italy where on June 11, 1889, a Neapolitan pizza maker named Raffaele Esposito created the “Pizza Margherita” to honor the Queen. This was a pizza that was garnished with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil to represent the colors on the Italian flag.
Today, pizza is everywhere. In fact, in America alone, about 3 billion pizzas are sold each year! This is not exactly a good thing, considering 1 slice of pizza can set you back 285 calories and 10 grams of fat, most of which is saturated. That’s why I love eggplant pizza!
In addition to being loaded with vitamins and minerals, eggplant also contains important phytonutrients which have antioxidant activity. Researchers have even found that an anthocyanin phytonutrient in eggplant called nasunin can help protect the lipids in your brain cell membranes from free radicals!
Eggplant pizza is super easy to make and is a great way to sneak in vegetables. Even kids will love them! Because of eggplants spongy texture, it serves as a great replacement for high calorie white carbohydrates that barely have any fiber.
Some of the other benefits of eggplant pizza include:
- Low in saturated fat
- High in potassium to help balance the sodium content
- High in fiber
- A great source of vitamin C which can help boost your immune system
- High in vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and improves your eyesight
- 1 large eggplant about 8 ounces and 9 to 10 inches long
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning dried
- 10 large basil leaves cut into strips
- 1/3 cup cheddar cheese shredded, reduced fat
- 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese shredded, reduced fat
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 cups tomatoes peeled and diced
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning dried
- 1/4 tsp oregano dried
- Cut off both ends of eggplant & cut into ¾ inch thick slices. Place eggplant pieces on a double layer of paper towels & sprinkle both sides generously with salt. Let eggplant sit with salt on it for about 30 min. to draw out the liquid. (After the eggplant sits for 15 min., turn on the oven to 375 degrees F.)
- While the eggplant sits, make the sauce. Heat 2-3 tsp. olive oil & saute the finely chopped garlic just until it becomes fragrant (don't let it brown). Add diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, & oregano & let the sauce cook at a low simmer until thickened, breaking up the tomatoes with a fork as it cooks. Add water as needed as the sauce cooks, keeping it hot by simmering at very low heat until needed for eggplant slices.
- After 30 min., wipe eggplant dry with paper towels (removing most of the salt). Spray a roasting sheet with non-stick spray, lay eggplant slices on, brush the tops of the eggplant with olive oil, & sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Roast eggplant about 25 min., but not so long that the slices become mushy & lose their shape.
- While the eggplant roasts, thinly slice the fresh basil leaves & combine with reduced fat cheeses. After 25 min., remove eggplant from oven & turn oven setting to broil. Spread a few tbsp. of sauce on the top of each eggplant slice, sprinkle with basil slices & top with cheese. Put pizzas under the broiler until the cheese is melted & slightly browned. Serve hot, with red pepper flakes to sprinkle on pizza if you want.
Dietary Exchanges: 2 VEGETABLE + 2 MEAT + 2 FAT