OOOHHH YES! If you have not yet tried quinoa pizza crust, you totally need to give it a try. I find it holds its shape more than cauliflower crust and gets crispier while still being a lovely gluten-free way to enjoy pizza.
Shiitake mushrooms, spinach, fresh thyme, and grass-fed goat cheese are a perfect marriage of flavors and nutrition. Ordering pizza can often mean gas, bloating, and intestinal troubles the next day for many, however, this pizza is light and delivers nutrients that support digestion functioning. Shitake mushrooms have been extensively studied for their health-promoting compounds such as lentinan which is a phytonutrient known for supporting immune function. Shitake mushrooms are also excellent sources of copper, Vitamin B’s Selenium, and Zinc. Finally, they also contain a compound called Berit adenine which has been studied for cholesterol-lowering properties.
Spinach and thyme supporting digestion, contain health-promoting antioxidants and are an excellent source of Vitamin C. Both also offer good sources of dietary fiber which is essential for healthy bowel function, supporting the body to remove toxins and is useful in weight-loss.
You will notice that don’t use much dairy while trying to follow a plant-based diet. However, sometimes I will get my hands on good quality goat cheese or grass-fed yogurt which can be lovely to add in. When selecting your goat cheese you may want to consider looking for organic to help lower the risk of contaminated feed. You can also look for labels that say “100% grass fed” cheese (terms like “natural” or “pasture fed” as laws can mean these cows can be raised in a “pasture setting” but see very little to no outdoors). Finally, local farmers are a great way to see the cows and get dairy that is grass-fed and organic at an affordable price. You can check out online resources such as Eat Wild, Local Harvest to enter your zip or postal code to find local farmers near you. You can also connect with local delivery services that utilize farmers nearby such as The Organic Box or Stud.
Balsamic Mushroom, Spinach, & Goat Cheese Pizza
Ingredients
- 1/2 lbs shittake mushrooms
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 big clove of garlic
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 oz organic, goat feta (nutritional yeast is a vegan alternative).
- 1 sprig fresh thyme (optional)
- 1 pinch celtic sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Put your quinoa pizza crust together and get it into the oven. Click the link in the recipe notes for the quinoa pizza crust recipe.
- melt coconut oil in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat. Peel and mince garlic and toss it into the pan. Cooking for 1-2 minutes for the garlic to soften.
- Roughly chop larger mushrooms, smaller I leave as is and toss it into the pan and cook for until softened about 5 more minutes.
- Add avocado oil and give it a good stir. Add the balsamic and cook for an additional minute until the mushrooms are coated and fragrent (this is where I wish this was a scratch and sniff photo!).
- Remove the quinoa crust from the oven and place on spinach, the pour the mushroom mixture ontop. Spinkle the goat cheese all over.
- Here I like to top with fresh thyme, pinch of good quality sea salt and drizzle a little extra balsamic or avocado oil ontop.
- Put the pizza back in oven for 5-8 minutes for the cheese and spinach to soften. Remove, slice and serve.
