A-Z Index

Pepperoni Pizza

Here’s proof—you can enjoy a slice of pepperoni pizza and do your heart good. A few heart-smart substitutions and lots of vegetables make this much more healthy than a pizzeria’s, and you get to savour the aroma as it bakes.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425ºF (220°C). Line a 30 cm (12 in.) pizza tray or a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add mushrooms, onion, garlic and oregano and fry over a medium heat until the mushrooms are golden-brown, about 7 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, sprinkle with the vinegar, and cover. Remove from the heat and let stand for 3 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the pizza base on the pizza tray. Spread over the tomato paste. Top with the vegetable mixture, pepperoni and mozzarella, then sprinkle over the parsley.
Bake pepperoni pizza until the crust is golden-brown and crisp and the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve hot.

preparation time 10 mins
cooking time 15 mins
serves 4

Source: Cook Smart for a Healthy Heart, Reader's Digest Canada

Ingredients 1 teaspoon extra-light olive oil
140 g button mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
1 large onion, cut into thin wedges
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 teaspoons fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 Italian tomatoes, sliced
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 ready-made thick pizza base, about 300 g
3⁄4 cup no-salt-added tomato paste
30 g pepperoni (about 16 slices)
1 cup grated reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
4 tablespoons chopped parsley to sprinkle

Nutritional Information

PER SERVING

410 calories
23 g protein
13 g total fat
5 g saturated fat
32 mg cholesterol
50 g total carbohydrate
12 g sugars
8 g fibre
751 mg sodium

With its abundance of vegetables, this pepperoni pizza provides a range of nutrients—especially vitamin C from the tomatoes—which promote the absorption of iron in the body. And the reduced-fat mozzarella supplies calcium, which helps prevent osteoporosis.

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