Day 28: Dinner

Is it at all possible for pizza to be a health food? Let's see the stats on this twelve inch pie:

• One 12" Rustic Crust Organic whole wheat pizza crust: 780 calories, 10 grams fat, 32 grams protein;
• One 8 ounce package Galaxy Nutritional Foods mozzarella flavor "rice shreds": 560 calories, 32 grams fat (8 grams saturated fat), 48 grams protein;
• Olive oil for brushing: 120 calories, 14 grams fat (2 grams saturated);
• 6 ounces Enrico's All Natural Pizza Sauce: 120 calories, 5 grams fat, 3 grams protein;
• One half of a large tomato: 17 calories;
• One third of a large purple onion: 15 calories;
• Garlic, oregano, and fresh basil: negligible

Total intake for entire pizza: 1,612 calories, 61 grams fat (10 grams saturated), and 83 grams protein; for one slice (1/8 pizza): 202 calories, 7.625 grams fat (1.25 saturated), and 10.375 grams protein. Not bad for pizza, I'd say. Especially since a Meat Lovers' of the same size and similar crust will give you 310 calories and 17 grams of fat per slice (and only 14 grams protein- not much more for a pie laden with processed meats).

This is the first pizza I have ever made from scratch, not counting those Chef Boyardee kits that come with the too-thick sauce and powdered mozz. Wanna make one yourself? Making a pizza with a prepared crust is not rocket science, but just in case you were dropped on the head as a child, here goes: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Brush your crust with olive oil and sprinkle with chopped garlic (I used about four cloves; you can use as much or little as you like). Spread about 3/4 cup of pizza sauce on top. Sprinkle with 4 ounces of soy or rice mozzarella (the pre-shredded kind) and top with sliced tomatoes and diced onions. Sprinkle with dried oregano and then another 4 ounces of cheese. Top with torn fresh basil (about five leaves will do it). Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted (it'll melt somewhat) and nosh! It also reheats beautifully. This pizza was good!