I have a confession. I love Pizza! I really do. I always scoffed at those who would answer the question of "what's your favorite good?" and they would say pizza. Well, pizza isn't my favorite food, but it's up there. Of course my pizzas are not the typical cheese and sauce on a doughy gluten-filled crust, but that's not the definition of pizza anyway. Dictionary.com told me the definition was this: "a flat, open-faced baked pie of Italian origin, consisting of a thin layer of bread dough topped with spiced tomato sauce and cheese, often garnished with anchovies, sausage slices, mushrooms, etc."
Okay, so maybe it is close to what I said isn't the definition, but it doesn't specify what the dough or cheese has to be made from! The pizza I have to share with you today, is the closest to fitting this definition of pizza that I have made yet. It has the "dough", sauce, and even cheese (or cheeze in my case)! The definition for a margherita pizza says: "a type of pizza made with tomato, sliced mozzarella, basil, and extra virgin olive oil." I hit all those except the EVOO. But that's okay...I made up for it with a few other extras 😉
One this I did take to a new level with how it was "cooked" and in this case it was grilled! Two great loves combined in one meal! Grilling and pizza, can you get any better? There is something about grilling that just leaves you feeling super accomplished in your culinary feats. It takes a bit of extra gusto to grill than it does to bake. And I am so happy I started using the big bad grill this summer. It was intimidating at first, but now I like to call it my best friend 😉 It hasn't let me down yet or screwed up a recipe. I think it likes me too 🙂
What I loved about grilling the pizza was the nice smoky taste it gave. It also nicely and lightly cooked the delicate topping with the grill cover closed. Each flavor was able to burst through and hold its own when you took a bite. The colors all stayed vibrant and really made the pizza a feast for the eyes (as well as the stomach!)
Grilled Vegan Margherita Pizza
Ingredients: (serves 1)
For the Cashew Cheeze:
+ ¼ C Raw Unsalted Cashews (soaked in 1 cup of water overnight)
+ ⅛ Tsp Onion Powder
+ 2 Shakes of White Pepper
+ 1 TB Water
For the Pizza:
+ 1 Large Brown Rice Tortilla (I use Food For Life)
+ 1 Handful of Arugula
+ 5 Leaves of Fresh Basil
+ A Few Slices of Sweet Onion
+ 3 or 4 Slices of Tomato
+ 2 TB Salt-Free Tomato Paste
+ 2 TB Sliced Black Olives (rinsed)
+ Sprinkle of Garlic Powder
Directions:
+ To make the cashew cheeze, combine the soaked cashews, pepper, onion powder, and water in a food processor. Pulse until you get a relatively smooth but crumbly texture. Set aside.
+ To assemble the pizza, spread the tomato paste, layer the tomatoes and onions down, next the arugula and basil, sprinkle on the olives, then make 3 "blobs" with the cashew cheeze, and finally sprinkle on a bit of garlic powder.
+ On a medium heated grill, place you pizza on an oiled piece of foil down on the grill. Close the cover and grill for about 6-8 minutes.
Pretty simple! Of course you can make a few of these a feed the fam, but I am usually alone so one grilled pizza will suffice 😉 In conclusion, this pizza elevated my love for pizza that much more! Plus it was the first time I made cashew cheeze and I loved it! It really does taste like cheese, plus cashews are so buttery and sweet anyway, it was just fabulous. (Rivaling the nutritional yeast cheese!). I was also able to get my fix of tomato paste. I love the stuff! It's so concentrated and tangy; so much better than tomato sauce! Since I never use a whole jar at once, I freeze a few tables spoons in plastic baggies to whenever I need it. Then I just thaw it out in the microwave and I have tomato paste ready to go!
So tell me:
+ What is your definition of pizza?
+ Have you ever grilled a pizza? Do it before the summer is over!
*Recipe linking up for the week! WIAW, Allergy Free Wednesdays, #RecipeFridays, #RecipeOfTheWeek, #StrangeButGood, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Friday, Gluten-Free Fridays, Tasty Tuesdays, Savoring Saturdays, Healthy Vegan Fridays, #Foodie Friday, Real Food Recipe Roundup, Gluten-Free Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays!*
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Marta
Really need to try the cashew cheese, I am dairy intolerant and unfortunately I do too love pizza, so finding one that doesn't have any cheese is an impossible adventure. Will try this recipe!
x Marta
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O you will love this!! Cashews are the perfect "cheezy" nut! xoxo
Raia
Sounds tasty, Rebecca! Thanks for sharing it at Savoring Saturdays. 🙂 Cute blog redo, too. 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks love!
kimmythevegan
Ok... I'm one of those that claim pizza as my favourite food. Mmmm.
But I always make the same kind - I look forward to trying this creation of yours =)
Love the sound of the homemade cheeze!
Thanks for linking up at Healthy Vegan Fridays! I have pinned your recipe to our Pinterest Board.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
How do you usually make you pizzas? Anyway is simply delicious!
kimmythevegan
I make homemade pizza sauce & throw on mushrooms, artichoke hearts, fresh basil (if it's in season or spinach if it's not) all on a gf rice wrap and top it with Daiya - I'll definitely have to try making my own cheeze.
ps. this recipe is being featured this week =)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha thanks girl! Basil is the best! I am so obsessed with using it right now on everything!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes
This sounds so delicious! Thanks for sharing at Freedom Fridays - pinned and scheduled to share on my FB page! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Jamie, you're so sweet! 🙂
Deborah M Owen
This looks so good, new follower on Bloglovin and going to share this on Three Dawg Lady Designs on Facebook!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well thank you Deborah! XOXO
Susie (The Esthetic Goddess)
Wow, doe this pizza look ever so yummy! I wish I had a pice right now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thanks Susie! It is so yummy!
Serena @ Simple Holistic Girl
I am always up to finding better alternatives to fun kid friendly foods. This is definitely a great pizza recipe. Will definitely try it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Serena! Pizza is always a fun option 😉
Caryn
I'm so excited to try this pizza. Besides being a vegan, my son is allergic to nuts, so I can't use the cashew cheese. I do love it, but I'm sure this pizza will be good without. Stopping by after #sitssharefest.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You can never go wrong with nutritional yeast for a cheesy topping too!
Charlotte
Oh, my goodness... That looks amazing. I'm totally pinning this now--my boyfriend will FLIP (and we are both HUGE pizza fans in this house too... but always looking for healthier options). Stopping in from SITS Sharefest--have a great weekend!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha! You can't get much healthier than this baby! I hope you guys both love it! Pizza <3
Robin
This looks so yummy! I hope you win the healthy vegan fridays blog party this week!
rebecca
Thanks Robin!
Robyn
This looks so delicious and has all of my favourite ingredients. Thanks for a great dish! Lovely to find your beautiful blog. Visiting from Real Food Fridays - have a great day )
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks so much Robyn!
mummyconstant
What a fab idea! Love the tortilla base idea. 🙂
Amazing photos too. Looks yummy 🙂
Strength and Sunshine
Thank you sweetheart 🙂 Tortilla bases are always the way to go when cooking for one!
Linz
i'm all about pizza. any and all pizza!
Strength and Sunshine
You and me both 😉
Casey @ Casey the College Celiac
Looks DELICIOUS!! My definition of pizza always involves lots of veggies on top! YUM! I just tried out some homemade buckwheat and tapicoa GF pizza crust with a nut-free pesto and it was THE BOMB! So yummy! 🙂
Strength and Sunshine
Ah! I want to hear about this recipe then! 😉
teffysperks
Looks delicious!!
I need to try and make cashew cheese, it just looks too good to be missing out on!
{Teffy's Perks} X
Strength and Sunshine
It's so easy to make! All you have to do is remember to soak them at least 8 hours before!
Denise G.
This looks pretty tasty! I don't grill though. LOL! Convincing my husband to do this may take some doing. 😉
Strength and Sunshine
It's so easy! 1,2,3 and it's done!
Gaye @CalmHealthySexy
"There is something about grilling that just leaves you feeling super accomplished in your culinary feats." Ha ha - that is so true! And this is making me hungry for grilled pizza. Pinning.
Strength and Sunshine
Right!? Grilling makes me feel like a master...a grill master 😉
Sharon
I know that I do not need to be looking at this right now. I have not eaten and am really hungry. I must admit that it definitely looks mouthwatering. Pinning....
Strength and Sunshine
Dinner plans for tonight 😉
The Food Hunter
cashew cheese sounds very interesting.
Strength and Sunshine
All it is is blended up soaked cashews, haha!
toworkwithmyhands
This is making me hungry - I could even eat it right now for breakfast! It looks fabulous and so fresh - not cooked to death. I've never tried cashew cheese, but it sounds so good and easy to make. Thank you for sharing your recipe. Gotta go get that grill going...
Strength and Sunshine
Haha yes! Everything cooked so it just blended perfectly together and was so yummy! Grilled perfection 😉
Kat
Mm thanks for the idea! I never knew food for life had rice wraps!
Strength and Sunshine
Yup their gluten-free brown rice tortillas! They are amazing!
Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon
I love tortilla pizza! Yum! Definitely need to make some pizza this weekend.
Strength and Sunshine
Yes! I craving one today....need to make it tonight!
Francesca
Please share 🙂 Looks great
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks love 😉
Amanda @ Positively Amanda
I have to try this cashew cheese! I see everyone talk about it but i've never tried it before!
Strength and Sunshine
It so strange how cashews really do mimic cheese! Cashews are the best most versatile nut! They are my fav 😉
Taylor
This looks yummy! I've been thinking about trying our Mark Bittman's idea of Vegan Before 6 and so I've been looking for vegan recipes that are really yummy! Thanks!
xoxo
Taylor
Strength and Sunshine
Well this is a super easy recipe to start with and tastes amazing! XOXO
Real Food, Real Deals
This looks delicious! I've never tried cashew cheese, but I'd like to give it a shot. Thanks for the recipe.
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks love! It's so yummy and surprisingly really creamy 🙂
cottercrunch
i need to make this cashew cheese stat!!! YUM!
Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Its so much easier than I had thought 😉
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast
Yum- grilled pizza is so good! It's been years since I've made the cashew cheese sauce, but I really need to start again. I love having dairy alternatives.
Strength and Sunshine
This was my first time with cashew cheese and I really liked it! So creamy and really like real cheese (from what I remember!)