Vegan Mexican Pizza Delight

After trying to create a pizza that I frequently ate non-vegan style and failing miserably, I decided to create a vegan pizza that I thought would definitely be a hit.  This particular recipe does use quite a few processed vegan food items (i.e. vegan tofu sour cream, vegan cheese, and refried black beans), however using processed items occasionally is not so bad.  However, I do suggest you check the sodium content and also the list of ingredients.  Processed foods are often loaded with sodium or sugar, so be careful.  I use low sodium refried black beans (which incidentally you can make homemade if you have the time).  In short, please note that most of my recipes will not call for a lot of processed ingredients.  This one just so happens to call for some, which by most standards, are not so bad.  And really after eating this delicious recipe, the vegan sour cream and cheese are optional.  Next time I will probably leave off the vegan cheese, because the creaminess from the avocado on top was enough for me.  Enjoy and happy flavorful vegan eating!!!

Ingredients:

1 Thin Whole Wheat Prepared Pizza Dough (note:  you can use gluten free if you wish, I didn't for this particular recipe.  You can make your favorite pizza dough or buy it prepared...your choice)

2 tablespoons Vegan Sour Cream-optional (note:  I used Tofutti which is a tofu version of sour cream)

1/2 cup Shredded Vegan Cheddar Cheese-optional (I used the vegan brand of "daiya" b/c it melts...not all vegan cheese melts)

1 15 oz Can of Low Sodium, Fat Free Refried Black Beans (note:  you can make your own refried black beans to avoid the processed version or substitute regular refried pinto beans...you have lots of flexibility here to really utilize what you have)

1 Cup of Cherry Tomatoes

1 Avocado

1 Chopped Sweet Yellow Onion

1/4 cup roasted garlic cloves or 2 tablespoons minced garlic - optional

1/2 cup of Black Olives - optional

1/2 Cup of Green Onions

1 jalapeno pepper diced with seeds removed (for spicier taste buds, leave the seeds in)

1 Lime for lime juice

Olive Oil

Pinch of Hungarian Paprika

Pinch of Cayenne Pepper

Sea Salt & Pepper to Taste

Directions:

Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees.


In a medium skillet, saute your onion, jalapeno and garlic until slightly browned in olive oil (or coconut oil) seasoned with a little salt, pepper, and paprika. (Note bell peppers would be nice in this mixture, too, I just did not have any at time.)

Brush your prepared pizza dough with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.

Chop avocado into chunks; cut cherry tomatoes and black olives in half. Toss avocado, tomatoes, and olives in lime juice from half of a lime, small pinch of cayenne pepper, paprika, and salt and pepper.

Next, you will make an assembly line with all your ingredients to begin constructing the pizza.  On the bottom, spread the refried black bean mixture using the entire 15 oz can and top with 2 tablespoons of the vegan sour cream.  Next add your sauteed onions, jalapenos and garlic.  Then add the avocado, tomatoes, and olive mixture.  Squeeze the other half of the lime over the pizza.  Lastly, sprinkle with the vegan cheese, which is optional.

Place pizza directly on your oven rack and back for about 12-15 minutes.  Please check on your pizza because times do vary from oven to oven.  Once the cheese is melted and slightly browned  (my preference for a slightly browned pizza), remove and cool pizza for 5 minutes. 

Top with fresh green onions as a garnish.  I like the raw fresh green onions as a topping to give it some crunch.  Enjoy this flavorful Vegan Mexican Pizza!!!

***Again, you can get creative with this recipe.  Next time I will definitely add red bell peppers and omit the cheese.  The creaminess of the avocado was enough creaminess to balance this pizza out without the use of the cheese.  Also, feel free to omit the use of the sea salt.  I like to use the sea salt when sauteing onions because it brings out the natural sweetness to me...the same goes for the use of it in the avocado/tomato mixture.  I only use a little, because I try to eat a low sodium diet.  This pizza is so yummy and is loaded with nutrients.  We get a good dose of healthy fat from the avocado (so great for your hair and skin), lypocene and other fabulous nutrients from the tomatoes, vitamin c from the lime juice (also great for detoxification purposes), a multitude of health benefits particularly for lowering blood pressure from the garlic, protein from the black beans, good source of whole grains from the pizza crust, and a little boost for our metabolism from the heat of the jalapenos and cayenne pepper.***

I look forward to your feedback.  Who says vegan food can't be packed with flavor???

Cheers to your health with flavor,

~Tiffanie