Cholesterol-free Pizza Margherita?

On any given day approximately 13% of the American population over the age of 2 will be eating pizza. People who decide to eliminate animal products from their diet often report that giving up meat is a breeze compared to giving up pizza. Many argue that pizza is a healthy food that provides carbohydrates (crust), protein (cheese) and vegetables (tomato sauce). If you add some vegetable toppings, it’s even healthier. I actually agree with this, except for the cholesterol in cheese.

Eating cholesterol-containing food causes atherosclerosis that clogs arteries and leads to high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. This is not an opinion, it is a fact that is supported by very grim health statistics. High blood pressure is the most common chronic health condition in the world, and heart attacks are the most common cause of death. We can deny facts and become statistics, or we can eliminate cholesterol-containing foods and lead healthier lives.

This is a recipe for cholesterol-free pizza. True, it does require a little more effort than getting a pizza delivery, but it gets easier each time you make it. It is less expensive, healthier for you, and does not contribute to animal exploitation or the environmental problems associated with producing dairy products. Most important, it tastes great!

 

Ingredients for the Pizza

• No-Knead Pizza Dough with Fiber– you can buy prepared pizza dough or gluten-free pizza dough if you are gluten sensitive.  I liked No-Knead Pizza Dough because it is very easy to make and I know what’s in it.
• Oil free pizza sauce – this is available in supermarkets, but hard to find. It’s very easy to make. Make a large batch and freeze for quick pizzas.
• Cholesterol-Free Cashew “Mozzarella Cheese” – the fat in cashews comes with fiber and nutrients but no cholesterol.
• Walnut or Cashew Parmesan (Optional)

Directions for Making the Pizza Pie

1. Preheat the oven to 425 ^oF

2. Roll out pizza dough and form a crust around the edges on a large baking pan or a pizza pan.

3. Spread the Oil-Free Pizza Sauce

4. Spread the “cheese” over the tomato sauce

5. Bake at 425 ^oF for 20 minutes or until the crust is slightly brown   

 

You can get 4 slices from the pie, but no one ever has 1 slice so realistically this pizza pie makes 2 servings.

Nutrients/serving

• Calories: 338
• Protein: 12 g
• Fat: 9 gram
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Cost/serving: $0.72

Cholesterol – Free Mozzarella-Like Pizza Topping

Ingredients

•  1/4 cups raw cashews
• -1 C. hot water
• -2 ½ tablespoons of tapioca flour
• 1/2 teaspoon nutritional yeast (B12 fortified)
• ¾ teaspoon of sea salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Directions for Cholesterol-free Mozzarella-Like Non-Cheese

1. Wash the cashews and soak in water for at least an hour or longer

2. Put all ingredients into a high speed blender and blend for about a minute until creamy.

3. Pour the blended cashew mixture into a small saucepan and cook, stirring constantly over medium heat until the mixture thickens and looks like melted cheese. Let cool slightly and spread over the tomato sauce on your pizza. Continue with the Pizza recipe.

Enjoy!!!

Pizza for dinner with vegetables