A few years ago, my son required an elimination diet of no gluten, soy, corn, sugar, and pasteurized dairy. Out went all the “healthy” cereals, frozen waffles, crackers, and of course – pizza night. I was already an avid label reader following conventional health guidelines, but when your six year old son gets labeled with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), mainstream nutrition doesn’t strike as nutritious after all. Getting rid of most of the processed foods I used to buy improved the health of the whole family. The challenge was preparing snacks and meals that didn’t make his restricted diet so miserable. “Crispy” pizza became one of those meals.
The original recipe comes from Natalia Rose’s book, The Raw Food Detox Diet. She uses sprouted grain tortillas in her recipe. I use Food for Life’s Brown Rice Tortilla for a gluten-free option. The rice tortilla was a big hit with family and friends as it tastes like a thin crust pizza. This takes minutes to make, and can be topped any way you would top a regular pizza. “Crispy Pizza” has become one of my go-to meals when I need a fast and easy dinner.
Crispy Pizza
Adapted from Natalia Rose’s “Simple Detox Pizza.” You can keep the tortillas in the freezer. There is no need to defrost to continue with the recipe.
1 teaspoon butter or coconut oil
1 brown rice tortilla
1-3 tablespoons organic pasta sauce
1 handful grated raw cheddar cheese (I use 5 Spoke Creamery’s Welsh Cheddar)
sliced olives, basil (optional-just like regular pizza, any desired topping works)
1. Melt the butter or coconut oil in a skillet on medium heat. (I like to use a cast-iron skillet).
2. Place the tortilla in the pan, spread the sauce on the tortilla.
3. Sprinkle the cheese and/or desired toppings and let cook until the cheese melts.
4. Cut the tortilla like pizza slices with a knife or pizza cutter.
My second challenge was the dairy. Pasteurized dairy aggravated his stomach aches. I could not find a raw milk cheese (cheese made from unpasteurized milk) that was kosher certified until I finally discovered 5 Spoke Creamery cheeses. Not only are they kosher certified, but their cheeses are hand made from the raw milk of grass-fed cows. Raw milk and raw cheeses are easier to digest since the enzymes that help digest the milk are not destroyed from a harsh heating process. There are nutritional benefits when the milk originates from grass-fed cows; an ideal ratio of the essential fatty acids (EFA’s) omega-3 to omega-6, higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)- a potential cancer fighter, and more Vitamins A and E. It just makes more sense that a cow eating its natural diet and treated humanely would give healthier milk then one raised unnaturally.
The Giveaway!! A 4 cheese sampler from 5 Spoke Creamery- Herbal Jack, Redmond Cheddar, Welsh Cheddar, and Tumbleweed.
5 Spoke Creamery Cheeses are handcrafted, small batch cheeses. They have been featured in The World Cheese Book
This post is linked to GNOWFGLINS | Tuesday Twister and Kelly the Kitchen Kop | Real Food Wednesday.
Benefits of dairy from grass-fed cows - Super Natural Milk
The Jew and the Carrot – Kosher Sustainable Cheese List
How do you prepare your pizza? What are some of your cheese-centered recipes? Do you have a last minute meal option when you need dinner done fast?
Please note; this is not SCD friendly (Specific Carbohydrate Diet). If you have serious digestive issues it is best to work with a practitioner that can guide you on a nutritional healing plan. Most gluten-free products (even the few that are not loaded with refined sugars) are still too starchy for IBS and other digestive conditions.
This looks great! I make a “tortilla lasagna” using tortillas – so similar concept. I love your photo – very nice.
You asked me if you think my almond flour tortillas would work in this recipe – yes, I think it would work. The almond flour is a slightly different texture than the brown rice ones, but they are pretty sturdy and I think they would work. I have yet to use them in the tortilla lasagna yet…
thanks so much!
Sarah
I Love this crunchy pizza recipie !!
Thanks for sharing. It’s so easy and
my boyfriend loves it.
I’m in!
We love this cheese – the quality and the flavor are great!
mmmm… I would LOVE to try their cheese. Sounds delicious!
This looks like such a great idea, even for folks without a gluten sensitivity. Definitely going on my “easy meal” list!
I love raw cheese!
the cheese is delicious…thank you lisa for introducing and organizing!
I would also love to try this cheese. I love cheese and it’s hard to find a good delicious raw cheese.
I’m going to try your pizza recipe. Sounds delicious!!!
Now I am going to have to keep my eyes open for brown rice tortillas. Still not ready to try making them on my own.
Count me in for the giveaway!
would love to try the cheese…thanks for the chance
would love some raw cheese!
The pizza recipe sounds delish…As do the cheeses! As a cheese addict, I am always looking for new ones to try, especially raw versions.
I can’t afford different cheeses, love to try these. And I AM going to try this yummy pizza.
We’re in the middle of an elimination diet right now and everyone is missing pizza. We’ll be trying this soon! Looks fantastic!
Those cheeses look yummy! Your pizza sounds delicious too!
your pizza looks delicious and a crowd pleaser for the kiddos! Friday night is homemade pizza night in our house and the cheeses would be fun to sample. This is a tradition we started a couple of years ago and now our friends and family are stopping over at dinner time to join in on the fun!
I’ve actually tried their cheeses once and was so excited that Kosher artisan cheese actually exists. They were so yummy!
This pizza looks so good. I have a hard time finding good tasting raw cheese. I’ll keep my fingers crossed to win this one
My husband said it’s the best cheese he’s ever had and my 6 year old can’t get of it. Thanks lisa!
Love quick dinner ideas like this, and we looove raw cheese!
I make amaranth crust pizza. Proteiny and delish!
And for dinner, we do scrambled eggs with frozen vegetables.
I would love to try these cheeses:) and I’m going to make this pizza for dinner!
Looks delicious! I am testing it this week as research for my Real Food For Busy Moms Series. Thanks!
Raw and delicious!!!!!!!
Made this for the first time ever using Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Tortillas (from TJ’s). Used our flat griddle over two burners so made two pizzas at a time. Simple, quick, and fabulous recipe which was an INSTANT hit with the whole family!!
p.s. 5spoke cheeses are exceptional!
I am a childcare provider that is having an issues making meals for a little one with soy, garlic, peanut and egg allergies. Your comment about getting ride of all process food is such a great idea, but I cook for 14 children with one helper and quick, affordable meals to change. LIttle by little it is getting easier. But it is hard enough to find meals for our allergie child let a lone making things from scratch. I belive in the Food Revolution and your blog. Thanks!!
Hi Cynthia, I admire your dedication to these kids – they are blessed to have someone that cares about what they are eating!
Do you make chicken soup or beef stew for them? Bone broths are extremely nutritious and practically hands-free (I have a slow cooker version but any large stockpot will do. http://www.realfooddigest.com/2011/02/slow-cooker-ginger-chicken-soup/)
It’s also important for children to get plenty of healthy fats for proper growth and development, like butter, coconut oil etc.. http://www.realfooddigest.com/2011/03/complete-guide-to-fats-and-oils/.
You do have quiet a challenge but it does sound like you are headed in the right direction.
Huge hit with a super picky 5 year old named Goldie! Despite some cautious reserve, she plowed through two whole pizzas herself. I was actually skeptical about the brown rice tortillas, but they so are so much better for pizzas than regular tortillas (wheat/gluten issues aside) because they get truly crunchy without tasting all dried out like flower tortillas do.
I am so impressed Goldie liked it – now I know what to feed her when she comes over! Thanks for the feedback!