Artichoke Pizza

Make a delicious gourmet pizza at home! This one is topped with artichokes, mushrooms, olives, and onion – yum! It’s worth the effort to make your own pizza dough, but if you’re short on time, a whole wheat pizza dough from the grocery store works well.

Total Time: 30 min. plus 2 hours

Prep Time: 10 min.

Cooking Time: 15 min.

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients:

PIZZA DOUGH:

¼ oz. active dry yeast

1 cup warm water (100-110°F)

2 tsp. sugar

3-3¼ cups whole wheat flour, divided use

½ tsp. fine sea salt

2 tsp. olive oil, divided use

ARTICHOKE PIZZA:

Nonstick cooking spray

½ cup all-natural marinara sauce

¼ tsp. dried oregano leaves

¼ tsp. dried Italian seasoning

¼ tsp. ground black pepper

1 dash crushed red pepper

¼ tsp. garlic powder

6 marinated artichoke hearts, drained, sliced

¼ medium onion, thinly sliced

¼ cup sliced mushrooms

8 medium black olives, cut in half

4 oz. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Preparation:

FOR PIZZA DOUGH:

1. Place yeast, water, and sugar in a medium bowl. Let stand for 10 minutes, or until yeast become foamy.

2. Combine 3 cups flour and salt in a small bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to yeast mixture. Mix with clean hands until mixture does not stick to your hands. Add additional flour if needed. Roll dough into a ball. Brush with ½ tsp. oil. Place in a bowl; cover with a towel. Let rise for 2 hours.

3. Punch down dough to remove air; knead and roll into a ball. Brush with ½ tsp. oil. Place in a bowl; cover with a towel. Let rise for an additional 2 hours.

FOR ARTICHOKE PIZZA:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F.

2. Roll dough until it will no longer stretch. Let rest for 5 minutes. Continue to roll until it reaches your desired diameter, about 10 to 12-inches, and about ½-inch thick. Place on baking pan lightly coated with spray.

3. Brush with remaining 1 tsp. oil.

4. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce over dough. Season with oregano, Italian seasoning, pepper, red pepper, and garlic powder.

5. Top with artichokes, onion, mushrooms, and olives.

6. Sprinkle with cheese.

7. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheese is brown.