Plant-based Alfredo Pizza
(courtesy of Michele Swaczyna, certified holistic nutritionist and vegan blogger in Reno. Serves 2 to 4)
Photo by Candice Vivien
For dough
¾ cup lukewarm water
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour, plus more for kneading
¾ teaspoon salt
For Alfredo sauce
Heaping ½ cup raw cashews (soaked and drained)
1 tablespoon arrowroot starch or all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
2 cloves garlic
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsweetened plant milk (Swaczyna uses cashew)
Toppings
Desired amount of vegan shredded mozzarella and Cheddar cheeses (Violife or Daiya work well)
Portobello mushroom, sliced
Tomato, sliced
Spinach, cut into ribbons
2 to 4 garlic cloves, sliced lengthwise
Crushed red chili flakes (optional)
Nutritional yeast (optional)
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
To make the dough, pour the water into medium mixing bowl and sprinkle yeast over the water. Let stand 5 minutes until dissolved and foamy. Add flour and salt. Mix with wooden spoon and then knead with hands until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough onto floured work surface and knead until it forms a smooth, tacky ball, about 5 to 8 minutes. Cover dough with the upside-down bowl, and let it rest while you make the Alfredo sauce and chop the toppings (about 15 minutes).
To make Alfredo sauce, place all sauce ingredients in high-speed blender; blend on high 1 to 2 minutes, until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust flavors if needed. Set aside.
Chop vegetables for toppings. Roll out dough on floured surface to reach desired crust size, thickness, and shape. Transfer to baking sheet. Pour sauce into a pan and cook over medium-low heat until slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Make sure to stir frequently.
Assemble pizza by putting sauce, then shredded cheese, then vegetable toppings and desired spices on top of dough. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, checking bottom of crust occasionally for your desired crispiness. Once ready, let cool a few minutes, then cut into slices and enjoy!
