Seared Tomatoes With Balsamic Salad Pizza

So you might be thinking that there's some disconnect between the title and the season. But let me just say, this pizza is so good that you'll want to eat it year round. It's getting up to almost 70 degrees here in NC this week! So to celebrate, I'm posting this recipe as a reminder that sweet, warm summer is only a few short(ish) months away!

Who doesn't love pizza? If you're dieting and trying to eat healthier, you most likely go out for pizza with your friends just to end up feeling guilty and ordering a salad. With this recipe, you can have your cake and eat it too! Not to mention you'll never want to make another type of pizza again. Don't worry, I was a salad pizza skeptic too. I mean when you want to indulge, who wants it to be incorporated with something healthy? It doesn't even seem like an indulgence then. But rest assured, this recipe won't disappoint.

Ingredients:

• 1 premade gluten free pizza crust (I used Schar's brand)
• Olive oil
• Fresh mozzarella (or cheese alternative like Daiya or GoVeggie)
• 1 container of grape or cherry tomatoes
• 1 fresh pineapple (cut into chunks)
• Fresh basil
• Fresh arugula 
• Balsamic dressing 

Directions:

The first thing to do is preheat your oven to 375 F and prepare a pan. I like to take my pizza pan and line it aluminum foil. Spray with coconut oil or good ole Pam and clean up is easy.

Spray a frying pan with coconut oil spray and warm over medium heat. Add your tomatoes. Continue to move them around so they don't pop/burst. I cooked mine until they were nice and seared, but still soft (about 5-10 minutes). Put your pizza crust on the prepared pan and plop the tomatoes all over. Then, add your pineapple chunks. 

Sprinkle as much of your cheese or cheese alternative on top and garnish with fresh basil. 

Drizzle with olive oil and brush olive oil around the sides of the crust. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. 

Let it cool for about ten minutes or so. Then, add as much fresh arugula on top as you'd like.

Last, drizzle your balsamic dressing on top and it's ready to go! Cut into pieces and try to save one for others ;)

This will forever be my go to pizza recipe! Arugula can have a slightly bitter aftertaste, so the sweetness of the pineapple adds lovely contrast. The balsamic with seared tomatoes elevates the flavor and will make your taste buds sing. They always say you should eat the rainbow when it comes to eating healthy. This pizza not only tastes amazing, but is so aesthetic! I mean, just look at all those gorgeous, bright colors!

I hope you are now a full supporter of salad pizzas. If not, just try this recipe and I promise you will be! Have a lovely day and keep thinking warm thoughts!

--Kelsey Lynn