Sweet & Spicy Golden Chia Pizza

Dreaming of pizza but afraid it will throw you off your health routine? How about this delicious pizza - that is actually good for you?

It’s completely gluten-free (and even grain-free!) and will nourish you with an array of amazing nutrients from its ingredients.

Its sauce’s got a special kick to it, offering your taste buds a sensation of spiciness from the red chilli, sweetness from balsamic vinegar and the rice malt syrup!

This recipe is created by a brilliant health food blogger Bo Porterfield of Bos Kitchen.

Hey Bo, over to you:

When I have a sudden urge for pizza (which often happens at about 11 a.m.) I can rest easy with the knowledge I can whip up a gluten-free pizza in time for lunch.

…That's the neat thing about gluten-free pizza crust: It can be very quick to make. No kneading either!

This crust is thin, crisp and able to withstand being sliced. The sauce is sweet, spicy and slightly sticky.

It's a simple recipe. I'd love to know if you give it a go! Just grab some gram flour and chia seeds and we're halfway to pizza time! 

Recipe (makes 1 small pizza)

For the crust

• ½ cup gram flour
• 3 tablespoons Organic Burst Chia seeds mixed with 6 tbsp water
• ¾ cup water
• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
• Pinch Himalayan pink salt and black pepper

For the sweet and spicy sauce

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 small fresh red chili, diced (use half without the seeds if you're not a fan of heat)
• 1 tin/carton of organic chopped tomatoes
• 4 tablespoons rice malt syrup (or maple syrup)
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper
• Toppings of choice- I used mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, sweet bite peppers and fresh basil

Method

1. Pre heat oven to 180 degrees and lightly grease a large baking tray or line with greaseproof paper.
2. Make your sweet and spicy sauce. Add coconut oil to a medium size sauce pan and heat gently. Add minced garlic, oregano and diced chili to the oil and fry over a gentle heat until soft and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Take care not to let the garlic brown.
3. Add the tomatoes and maple syrup and leave on a gentle simmer.
4. While the sauce is cooking, make the pizza crust. In a mixing bowl, mix chia seeds and 6 tbsp water to form a gel.
5. Add gram flour, water, turmeric, pink salt and pepper to the bowl and mix well until it comes together as a sticky dough. Add a little more water if you need to.
6. Flatten out on to your greased or lined baking tray into a round pizza shape. Bake for 25 mins or until firm.
7. While the pizza is cooking, check the sauce for flavour- add more maple syrup or chili accordingly. Add the balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to the sauce and stir well. You want the sauce to reduce down by at least half, so turn the heat up if you need to.
8. Take out your golden pizza crust and top with sweet and spicy sauce and toppings of choice. Pop back in the oven for another 7-10 minutes until the vegetables have browned.