Strength and Sunshine

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Grilled Vegan Margherita Pizza

by 58 Comments

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.”

Grilled Vegan Margherita Pizza | Strength and Sunshine

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 😉

Grilled Vegan Margherita Pizza | Strength and Sunshine

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 🙂

Grilled Vegan Margherita Pizza | Strength and Sunshine

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

Grilled Vegan Margherita Pizza | Strength and SunshineIngredients: (serves 1)

For the Cashew Cheeze:

+ 1/4 C Raw Unsalted Cashews (soaked in 1 cup of water overnight)

+ 1/8 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

Grilled Vegan Margherita Pizza | Strength and Sunshine

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.

Grilled Vegan Margherita Pizza | Strength and Sunshine

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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Comments

  1. Marta says

    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

    Reply

  3. kimmythevegan says

    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.

    Reply

      • kimmythevegan says

        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 =)

        Reply

        • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

          Haha thanks girl! Basil is the best! I am so obsessed with using it right now on everything!

          Reply

  4. Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says

    This sounds so delicious! Thanks for sharing at Freedom Fridays – pinned and scheduled to share on my FB page! 🙂

    Reply

  8. Caryn says

    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.

    Reply

  9. Charlotte says

    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!!

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Haha! You can’t get much healthier than this baby! I hope you guys both love it! Pizza <3

      Reply

  11. Robyn says

    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 )

    Reply

  18. Sharon says

    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….

    Reply

  20. toworkwithmyhands says

    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…

    Reply

  25. Taylor says

    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

    Reply

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rebecca

Meet Rebecca

Hey there, welcome to Strength and Sunshine! I’m Rebecca and I’m so glad you’re here! This is your go-to destination for delicious, fun, and (mostly) healthy gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, tips & tricks, advice, as well as celiac and food allergy coaching services!

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