Low Carb or Atkins Diet? Recipe for Cheesy, Crunchy Relief
Jan 15 '03
The Bottom Line You can have a cheesy, no-crust version of this No-Carb pizza, and "design" your own to fit your tastes.
During the past couple of years, low-carbohydrate diets like Dr. Atkins' plan have swept the country and helped millions of people lose weight.
I've personally been an Atkins eater for nearly three years and stayed within 5 pounds of my ideal weight eating sausage, red meat, blueberries, nutritional protein drinks, chicken and fish.
But too many people who otherwise enjoy success with a low-carbohydrate diet are unable to overcome the hurdle of boredom. They miss lots of vegetables, bagels, pasta -- and for me, one of the biggies -- Pizza Hut thin-crust cheese pizza.
I'm not creative in the kitchen, and I'm certainly not a cooking expert. My taste in food is about a sophisticated as your average fourth-grader. But I have developed a few effective food "substitution" methods to help me with my cravings for items that aren't part of Dr. Atkins' plans for us.
If you love cheese but miss pizza, use my basic recipe to create your own "personal pan pizza" that has LOW or even NO carbohydrates! It takes less than 3 minutes to make.
MsHooterville's No Crust No Carb Pan Pizza
2 slices of deli-thin Kraft Mozarella cheese
Shredded cheese combination(s)of your choice
Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
Optional ingredients: crumbled bacon bits, pepperoni slices, diced green peppers, crushed red pepper, oregano or selected spices
Take a small, non-stick sautee pan. Non-stick surface is important so you can slide your creation easily from the pan to a paper towel. Grease is not necessary, the melting cheese creates its own fat.
Place your two slices of thin mozarella cheese side by side, just touching, in the pan. Use medium to medium-high heat -- the cheese will begin to brown first around the edges.
As the cheese browns, use a Teflon spatula to keep the edges of the cheese from sticking to the pan. Wait for the center to begin bubbling (less than a minute)uniformly. Continue to keep edges from sticking, using a light touch with the spatula. Add your shredded cheese combination -- not too much, just enough for taste and more volume.
After about 90 seconds, the bottom of your mozarella cheese will be fairly golden brown and firm. At this point, take your pan off the heat and move it lightly and briskly back and forth until it moves freely.
Add bacon bits, diced vegetables or pepperoni slices and keep warming on lower heat for about 15 seconds until your toppings stick to the mozarella crust base.
Sprinkle your grated parmesan or romano on top as you would with any pizza.
The bottom should be firm, golden, and still flexible when you transfer it to a paper towel to drain. When your cheese is golden and firm, the cheese won't stick to the paper towel.
If tomato sauce is your favorite part of a pizza, you can add a touch of it without blowing your carb count for the day.
The end result is like a cheese crepe -- you can even roll it up and eat it the same way you would a soft taco or burrito.
Great Snack for Kids Who Don't Do Crust
This is a very quick and filling snack for children who love pizza, but leave the crust on their plates.
Not only can you customize this recipe to individual tastes, but it's fairly filling. If I'm really hungry, two will satisfy me for hours.
Have fun making your own version of this creation, and don't be afraid to experiment.
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Member: Ms Hooterville
Location: Hooterville Green Acres USA
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News and feature writer, graphic designer and artist, wife and mother, small business owner.
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