You had a rough day. Work was terrible, you forgot your umbrella, you sank calf-deep into a puddle, you dropped your phone at just the right angle to crack the screen, and when you finally got home, your cat was totally judging you. Comfort food to the rescue! And if you’re like most Americans, the comfort food you’re going to reach for is…pizza.
I’ve seen many surveys across this country. One company after another trying to find out what is America’s comfort food and no matter how many times it’s done, it’s always pizza. It’s even won the accolade of the most Instagrammed food in America! We share #pizza online more than any other dish!
I love pizza just as much as anyone, but I don’t want to smother my pizza with loads of saturated fat. I want it to be a plant-strong comfort food. And I want it quick to make, especially with summer rolling along. So instead of making a bread crust–which takes more time to make, I’ve discovered I can have some Italian comfort with serving pizza on a potato!
I cut a medium to large potato in chunky slices–usually 3-4 depending on how thick the potato is. Then I bake them in a 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes. I top each slice with some New Start pizza sauce, sprinkle on some veggie toppings like mushrooms and peppers and black olives (chopped small or pulsed briefly together in the food processor). I may even drizzle on some plant-strong cheez sauce.
It’s a delicious way to enjoy pizza, with all the comfort flavors that we’ve come to love about this food–the zesty tomatoes, garlic, oregano, mushrooms and more! And using a potato as a the base, it fills you up with high-fiber carbs to rev you up with energy without the cholesterol and fat. This way, it’s not just a comfort food–it’s food that will love you back! To help you thrive with better health! Happy cooking!
Focus on Potatoes: Did you know that marathon runners and ironman athletes reach for boiled potatoes during long endurance events? That’s because they are rich in carbohydrates, the best fuel for energy. Potatoes are also a great way to replenish your body after a workout, especially when you eat them along side some protein. A medium potato (2 ¼ in to 3 ¼ in) has a little over 4 grams of protein. You can add some more by drizzling on some nut-based cheese.
Pizza Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 large baking potato medium to large in size
- New Start pizza sauce see Spreads, Sauces and Dressings section of our website
- Your choice of vegetable and/or fruit toppings
- Fresh basil optional
- Pimiento-Nut Cheez sauce optional
Instructions
- Start with potatoes that are at least 1 ½ inches thick in the middle. Scrub each potato well, then cut into 3 slices, making the outer 2 a little wider than the middle one. Take the 2 outer slices and trim a little bit off the bottom (rounded side) in order to make them lie flat.
- Place them on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper; bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes, until cooked throughout. While the potatoes are cooking, make the pizza sauce (see below). When the potatoes are done, remove from the oven.
- Spread each one with sauce and top with your choice of toppings. Put them back into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes more, until the toppings are done to your taste. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with lots of fresh basil. Drizzle with some pimiento-nut cheez sauce, if desired. You will find the recipe in our Spreads, Sauces and Dressings Section. Be careful—they will be very hot. But once they’re cooled, you can pick them up like regular pizza.
- SUGGESTED PIZZA TOPPINGS: Onion, bell peppers, chopped zucchini, black or green olives, and mushrooms.
- CHEF'S NOTE: To make one serving, you can also use a toaster oven for baking the potatoes.
