Curry Cauliflower Pizza

An american favourite meets Middle Eastern with this Curry Cauliflower Pizza! It's made with a curry infused cauliflower pizza crust, then spread with garlicky hummus for the sauce, thinly sliced beetroot, avocados, brussels sprouts, pomegranate and oven-roasted curried chickpeas. Because I believe in a world of inclusivity; and that we should combine cultures, not pit them against each other.

Let me begin by saying that I often don't like to express my political views publicly. I'm not a studied politico; knowing the ins and outs of world powers, government practices and fear mongering. But as of recent U.S. news I'm finding it harder and harder to ignore my political views, and stay quiet among the executive orders taking place. Because these executive orders, with their targeted religious bans, is one I feel very strongly about.

I am Canadian born and raised, now an expat living in France. My parents immigrated to Canada from England in their mid 20s. And prior to this my dad had immigrated to England from Uganda. He was born and raised in Uganda, but was forced to leave his country under the ruling of Idi Amin, who had ordered the expulsion of Asian minorities. I could write a novel about my parents' life events, but will stop it here for now (after all, you opted-in to hear about food, not to hear me on my soapbox as I sort through mixed emotions). But I will say that hearing my parents stories; my dad under an oppressive Ugandan ruler, the racism he encountered after migrating to England, and the struggles of both my parents as new immigrants to Canada drives me to speak out about the racism and xenophobia taking place today. In addition I'm empowered to speak out as a Canadian, who was born and raised to believe it's our differences that makes our nation unique. We pride ourselves in being a cultural mosaic that accepts and understands the power of difference for a vibrant and creative culture. And as a foodie I see it best displayed through the fusion food community in Canada, which learn from each other to create and combine fascinating dishes. Plates that blend and borrow, and fulfill our lives with richness and diversity.

And so today I'm bringing you this Curried Cauliflower Pizza. It's my contribution to the blending and borrowing to create a culturally charged dish. It's a tiny slice of proof that it's better when we're together..... Yeah, it's always better when we're together. ;) This american favourite starts with a cauliflower pizza crust infused with curried spices, then I've spread on a layer of hummus for a middle-eastern "sauce," topped it with sliced beetroot and avocado, sprinkled with pomegranate and oven roasted curried chickpeas. The flavour medley when combined is pure joy. And gives me a little spark of hope that differences when united can lead to beautiful outcomes. I hope you love this cultural blend as much as I do. And let me know what cultural fusion dishes you like to enjoy. It would be a pleasure to hear your thoughts. After all, let's not forget this american favourite descends from Italian origin. ;)

That's all for now. Peace and love. xx

---

Curry Cauliflower Pizza

---

Serves: 3-4| Prep Time: 30 mins| Cook Time: 45-50 mins

---

Ingredients:

For the oven-roasted curried chickpeas:

• 1 cup cooked chickpeas

• 2 tbsp grape seed oil, or other oil

• 1/4 tsp curry powder

• 1/4 tsp paprika

• pinch chili peppers

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

• sea salt and pepper

For the curried cauliflower pizza crust:

• 4 tbsp chia seeds

• 8 tbsp water

• 2 cups shredded cauliflower

• 1/2 cup almond meal,* or ground almonds

• 1/2 cup buckwheat flour

• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast

• 2 tbsp curry powder

• 2 tbsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp pepper

Other toppings:

• 1/2 cup hummus

• 1 cooked beetroot, thinly sliced

• 1 avocado, thinly sliced

• 5-6 brussels sprouts, leaves peeled

• 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds

• 1 tbsp fresh parsley

• 1/2 tsp chia seeds

• 1/2 tsp sesame seeds

• sea salt and pepper

*Almond meal is the leftover almond pulp after making homemade almond milk. Instead of tossing the pulp, use it as almond meal in this recipe. It can be damp when using; there's no need to dry it out, or pre-bake it. Just try to get out as much of the milk as possible when making nut milk, as I'm sure you will because who wants to miss even an ounce!

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F (200C). Begin by making your oven roasted curry chickpeas: in a mixing bowl add chickpeas, oil, curry powder, paprika, chilli peppers, onion powder, garlic, sea salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Line a baking tray with tin foil and pour your chickpeas onto tray spreading evenly. Place in oven to bake for 20 minutes, or until golden in colour and crunchy. (To stop chickpeas from burning remove them from the oven after 10 minutes, give them a shake and place back in the oven). When ready remove from heat and let cool completely. Keep oven at 400F (200C) for cauliflower pizza.

2. Next make your cauliflower pizza dough. Make chia egg by adding water to chia seeds, and let absorb for at least 10 minutes. In a food processor pulse cauliflower until it's shredded and flour-like. Then add to a large mixing bowl with almond meal, buckwheat flour, chia egg, nutritional yeast, curry powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Knead with your hands to create a large doughy ball.

3. Transfer dough to a pizza stone, or baking tray lined with parchment paper, and roll out the dough until it's approx.1 inch thick.** Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until golden and crusty.

4. Spread curry cauliflower crust with hummus (as the sauce), and top with sliced beetroot, avocado, brussels sprout leaves, oven-roasted curry chickpeas, pomegranate seeds, parsley, chia, sesame, salt and pepper. Cut into eight slices and serve.

**Tip for the dough: After transferring the dough to parchment paper begin flattening it with your hands. Flatten dough to be about 2-3 inches thick. Then layer a piece of parchment paper over top of the dough and set your rolling pin on top. Roll pin overtop of the parchment paper to flatten the dough until is 1/4 inch thick. (The top layer of parchment paper will stop the dough from sticking to the rolling pin). Peel off the paper and you're left with a thin flatbread crust ready to bake

Approvals:

Allergies:

VEGAN - VEGETARIAN - DAIRY-FREE - SOY-FREE

#cauliflowerflatbread #cauliflowerpizzacrust #cauliflowerpizza #currypizza #healthypizza #almondmealpizzacrust #pizza #pizzanight #veganpizza #plantbasedpizza #currycauliflowerpizza