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Pumpkin Ricotta Pizza with Crispy Kale, Basil + Sausage


SERVING SIZE: 2-3 (One Pizza)

PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES

COOK TIME: 30 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS:

{GLUTEN/DAIRY FREE PIZZA CRUST}

2 cups of Tapioca Flour

1/2 cup All Purpose Gluten Free Flour

1 tbsp dried oregano

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp cracked black pepper

2 eggs

1/4 cup vegan butter (melted)

2 tbsp water

{PIZZA}

1lb sweet Italian sausage links (casings removed)

2 cups kale (removed from stem, ripped into 2 inch pieces

1/2 cup ricotta cheese (full fat)

1/2 cup organic pumpkin puree

2 tbsp fresh, local basil (chopped)

2 tbsp fresh, local oregano (chopped)

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp cracked black pepper

1 cup fresh, organic mozzarella cheese (full fat, shredded)

RECIPE

Start by making the pizza dough. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees while you prepare the dough. On a clean, dry surface form a mountain with the two types of flour and seasonings. At the top of the mountain, use your fist (knuckles facing down) to form a well in the flour. in a separate bowl whisk together the two eggs and the melted butter. Gently pour the liquid into the well and with your hands start to fill the well with the surrounding flour and begin to mix into a dough. You can add the water until the consistency is right (sometimes you may need more than 2 tbsp). Knead the dough for a few minutes or until you can pull apart the dough and see no air bubbles or pockets of dried flour. Form the dough into a ball and let rest. Grease a pizza pan with olive oil or coconut oil. Place the ball in the middle of the pan and press down flat with the palm of your hand. Using the heel of your palm, press the dough from the center outward to the edges of the pan until the entire surface is covered and your edge is just barely thicker than the rest of the pie. Brush with olive oil and bake for 20 minutes.

While the dough is baking, start the filling. Heat a nonstick skillet with just a tsp of olive oil or coconut oil until it’s hot. Place the sausage in the pan and use a wooden spoon to break up the links into small pieces and cook until browned all the way through. Remove from heat, drain and set aside.

While the meat is browning, mix together the ricotta, pumpkin puree, basil, oregano, garlic powder and black pepper until well combined. Set aside. If using whole balls of mozzarella, shred the cheese while you wait for the sausage to cook.

When the crust is done, remove from the oven and the pan and set on the counter top. Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees. Using a ladle, scoop out some of the pumpkin mixture onto the center of the dough and use the back of the ladle to spread the sauce in a circular motion until you cover the entire surface except a 1/2 inch crust around the edge. Top with the sausage and then the cheese. On top of the cheese, place the torn bits of kale.

When the pizza is ready to go back into the oven, this time using a spatula and a plate, slide the pizza off of the counter and directly onto the middle rack of the oven. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted and just beginning to brown.

Remove the pizza, let cool for 5 minutes and slice away!


Kristen's Cooking Tips

#1 

Use sharp knives! Slicing, chopping, mincing- sharp knives cut prep time in half and are WAY safer than fighting with dull blades that barely get through the skin of a tomato. At the very least, get a knife sharpener and run the blade across it before any prep. 

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#2

Taste EVERYTHING as you go! Cooking is about using instinct and creating flavors- you'll never learn to cook if you don't develop instincts... taste the food at every stage and follow the flavor development, adding more salt, more acid, more cream- whatever your taste buds are reaching for. 

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#3

Mis en Place: it's french for everything in it's place. Before you start a dish, gather all of your ingredients and prep everything you need in advance. Minced garlic? mince it first and set aside. Chopped herbs? Chop away and be ready when you need them. So many people I talk to say cooking is stressful, there is "too much going on"- it's all about time management. Cooking should be relaxing and fun! Think about your favorite cooking show... notice how they always have everything they need right there? Read the whole recipe through and zoom out- while this is cooking, make this; while this is chilling, cook this. Know how to breakdown the steps and prepare your ingredients so you're not stuck with burning garlic while you're chopping cilantro. Go in with a clear mind and know you're about to fuel your body and nourish your soul with your own two hands...and a few sharp knives ;)

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