How to Make Vegetarian Pizza

Mmmm, who can resist a hot slice of freshly-made pizza, straight from the oven? The cheesy pie may have a reputation for being unhealthy, but if you top it with bright, fresh veggies you can turn it into a highly nutritious meal. Here's a guide on how to make vegetarian pizza.

• A homemade pizza can provide a great venue to show off all sorts of fresh, savory veggies. Not only will a vegetarian pie please non meat-eaters, but it can also induce drool from even the most dedicated carnivore. Making your own pizza may seem daunting, but it is really only as difficult as you choose to make it. Store-bought crusts and sauces can easily streamline the process, or you can opt to show off your baking prowess by making everything from scratch.

• A great pizza starts with a great crust. Of course, you can always find a premade crust from your local grocery. If you have the time, however, you will be rewarded if you make your own. It gets a bit messy, but it really isn't very hard. The following recipe will make 2 pizzas.

(Creative Commons photo by YoLaGringo)

• 4 Cups flour (high-gluten flour, such as bread flour, works best)

• 1-1/2 Cups warm water (105 degrees or so)

• 1 Envelope rapid-rise dry yeast

• 2 Teaspoons honey

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil, plus a little bit extra to coat bowl

• 1-1/2 Teaspoons salt

1. Heat oven to 200 degrees, then turn off and keep door closed.

2. Pour warm water into a medium mixing bowl, and add yeast and sugar. Use a whisk to dissolve the powders.

3. Add all of the remaining ingredients, and gently stir with a spoon just until a cohesive mass is formed. If dough is sticky, add a little more flour. If it is too dry to stay together, add a little more water. Be careful not to over-mix.

4. Place the dough ball onto a floured surface and knead for about five minutes, until it is smooth.

5. Lightly oil a large bowl, place dough in bowl and cover with plastic wrap.

6. Place in oven for 40 minutes or until dough has doubled. Now is a good time to make your sauce and prepare your toppings.

7. Take dough out of the oven, and punch it down (fun)! Take dough out of the bowl, and separate into 2 round halves. Cover with a damp towel and let it sit for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425 degrees.

8. Time to shape. Take one of the balls, and place it on a floured surface. Working from the center, push dough with your fingers in a clockwise direction until you have the shape and thickness you desire.

• You can use a store-bought pizza sauce, or you can try this quick and simple recipe:

• I 15oz. Can tomato sauce

• 2 Teaspoons honey or sugar

• 1/4 Teaspoon cayenne powder

• 2 Teaspoons fresh basil, or 1 teaspoon dried

• 1/2 Teaspoon dried Oregano

• 1 Clove minced garlic

• Salt to taste

• Pour tomato sauce into a small saucepan. Add all other ingredients, and simmer for 15 minutes or so to infuse flavors. Spread half of the sauce on each pizza, leaving about of an inch of space around the edges.

• Here's where you have a chance to get creative. You can decorate your pizza with any veggies, or even fruits, that strike your palette. You can also experiment with different cheeses, or blend more than one together. Here are some favorite choices:

• Mozzarella

• Fresh mozarella

• Provolone

• Monterey Jack

• Cheddar

• Ricotta

• Parmesan

• Goat cheese

• Tomato

• Onion

• Olive

• Bell pepper

• Mushroom

• Artichoke

• Sun-dried tomato

• Broccoli

• Spinach

• Eggplant

• Zucchini

• Asparagus

• Pineapple

• Jalapeno

• Use about 1/2 pound of cheese per pizza, and use as few or as many fruit and veggie toppings as you please.

Bake at 425 degrees for around 20 minutes. Time can vary greatly depending on your oven and the toppings you choose, so keep an eye on your pizzas and adjust as necessary.