Characteristics

This is a quick and easy homemade pizza that used the convenient vegan Daiya cheese and contains a variety of vegetables, herbs and mushrooms. It provides a variety of macro and micronutrients and is rich in fiber. It offers a great transition pizza meal on one’s journey from processed pizzas to fresh, optimally health food.

PREP TIME: < 15 mins (+ time if making your own vegan pesto)
SERVINGS: typical serving 1 pita pizza/person

  • 100% plant-based (vegan)
  • Wheat or Gluten-free (depending on crust choice)
  • Soy-free
  • Corn-free
  • Peanut-free
  • Nut-free
  • Refined Sugar-free

Goodies Needed

INGREDIENTS:

TOOLS:

  • Toaster Oven or Regular Oven
  • Pizza Cutter (optional)

Preparation Steps

  1. Prepare your pesto beforehand to have ready for this pizza.
  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Spread a layer of pesto over each pita. Place the vegetables in the order presented for best cooking results.
  • Wash/clean a few mushrooms, slice finely and layer on pita(s).
  • Wash tomato(es), slice finely and layer on pita(s).
  • Peel an onion, slice finely a small section and layer on pita(s).
  • Wash the bell peppers, dice and layer on the pita(s).
  • Slice thinly a few of the Kalamata olives (unless pre-sliced) and layer on pita(s).
  • Sprinkle some of the oregano, thyme and pepper over the pita pizzas.
  • Sprinkle some Daiya cheese on top.
  • Cook in (toaster) oven for about 10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat once ready, cut each pita pizza into quarters and enjoy.

Meal Nutritional Benefits

Whole Grains:

  • provide a rich complex carbohydrate component to any meal
  • offer a variety of vitamins, minerals and fiber
  • protect and enhance overall health
  • read a detailed overview of the benefits of whole grains from the Whole Grains Council

Basil (Pesto):

  • acts as a great substitute for the traditional tomato sauce and adds a unique and exciting flavor to the pizza
  • good source of (in descending order): vitamin K, iron, calcium, vitamin A, fiber, manganese, magnesium, vitamin C and potassium
  • offers DNA protection, antibacterial properties, linked to anti-inflammatory properties and helps promote cardiovascular health
  • for more information, visit the basil detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Crimini Mushrooms:

  • Great source of phytonutrients and anti-cancer properties
  • good source of (in descending order): selenium, vitamin B2, copper, vitamin B3, tryptophan, vitamin B5, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, protein, folate, fiber, magnesium, iron and calcium
  • reduce risk of various cancers including breast and colon, can help reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and increase the functioning of the immune system and offer protection against Alzheimer’s
  • for more information, visit the crimini mushrooms detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Tomatoes

  • provide vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants
  • especially rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin K
  • especially rich in molybdenum, potassium, copper, and manganese
  • support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • help maintain healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
  • help protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and other lifestyle diseases
  • for more information, visit the tomatoes detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Bell Peppers

  • provide vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants
  • especially rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E, vitamin K, and most B vitamins
  • especially rich in molybdenum, potassium, and manganese
  • support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • help maintain healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
  • provide anti-inflammatory benefits and help heal and protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, infections, and other lifestyle diseases
  • for more information, visit the bell peppers detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Onion:

  • contains numerous flavonoids and antioxidants
  • good source of (in descending order): chromium, vitamin C, fiber, manganese, molybdenum, vitamin B6, tryptophan, folate, potassium, phosphorus and copper
  • helps lower blood sugar, enhances cardiovascular health, lowers high cholesterol, reduces risk of colon cancer when regularly consumed and protects against many other cancers like ovarian cancer
  • boosts bone health, has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
  • for more information, visit the onion detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Olives:

  • great source of monounsaturated fats
  • good source of (in descending order): iron, vitamin E, fiber and copper
  • have anti-inflammatory compounds, have antioxidant properties for fighting cancers and offer protection from heart disease
  • for more information, visit the olives detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Oregano:

  • Good source of (in descending order): vitamin K, manganese, iron, fiber, omega-3, calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C
  • Acts as an effective antibacterial, acts as a potent antioxidant and promotes overall good health
  • For more information, visit the oregano detailed overview from the World’s Healthiest Foods

Thyme:

  • provides a hint of an exciting and fresh flavor to the pizza
  • good source of (in descending order): vitamin K, iron, manganese, calcium, and fiber
  • enhances respiratory system health, provides antioxidant protection and provides antimicrobial benefits
  • for more information, visit the thyme detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Black Pepper

  • provides anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties
  • provides vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing and prevention
  • supports digestive health; helps prevent bloating and gas
  • helps protect against cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes
  • helps maintain healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
  • for more info, see the black pepper overview on World’s Healthiest Foods