CHICKPEA CRUST PIZZA MARGHERITA

CHICKPEA CRUST PIZZA MARGHERITA

If you want slightly crispier crusts, bake the pizza shells in the middle of the oven for 5 minutes before topping them.

Start to finish: 1 hour

Servings: 4

1 1/2 cups (6 1/4 ounces) garbanzo bean (chickpea) flour

1/2 teaspoon table salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 1/3 cups water

1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)

Heaping 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

5 ounces coarsely shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup)

1/2 cup shredded fresh basil

Into a medium bowl, sift together the chickpea flour, table salt and pepper. Add 1/3 cup of water and whisk until the mixture has the consistency of a smooth paste. Add the remaining 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup at a time, whisking until the batter is smooth with each addition. Let stand for 30 minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

In a colander, toss the tomatoes with the kosher salt. Set over the sink or a large bowl and let drain for 15 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to dry, then in a medium bowl combine them with the garlic.

Heat the oven to 400 F.

In a 10-inch nonstick or stick-resistant skillet over very high, heat 2 teaspoons of the oil. Whisk the batter and add a quarter of it (about 1/2 cup) to the skillet. Tip the pan to spread the batter evenly over the bottom of the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-high. Drizzle 2 teaspoons of the oil on top of the pancake, spreading it with a rubber spatula and cook the pancake until nicely browned on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes. Peek underneath the pancake to see if it is browned. Do not attempt to flip it until it is browned.

Flip the pancake and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until browned on the second side (it will not brown as much on the second side). Transfer the pancake to a sheet pan, browner side down. Repeat the procedure with the remaining batter and oil to make 3 more pancakes, transferring them as they are done to the sheet pan. You will need 2 sheet pans.

Divide the tomatoes among the 4 pizza crusts, then top each with a quarter of the cheese. Bake the pizzas in the middle of the oven for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Cut the pizzas into wedges, sprinkle the basil on top and serve immediately.

Nutrition information per serving: 370 calories; 200 calories from fat (54 percent of total calories); 22 g fat (7 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 20 mg cholesterol; 690 mg sodium; 24 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 6 g sugar; 17 g protein.

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From The Tennessean July 8, 2015