The crust of the matter

She came through it like a champ and has a neon yellow cast to prove it

Profuse pirate apols for being absent so long. I have been busy summering and have neglected you.

To begin, as so many have asked after her: Dagny is doing great.

She endured with bravery the break in her tibia being set a week ago, and was none the worse for the experience. Her new cast is neon yellow.

On that day I had invited everyone to come over for supper, as I wanted to try my hand at making pizza with a low-carb crust.

Here it is, all baked up and waiting for toppings

I had found a recipe for pizza crust using almond flour, which has a negligible carb count, and as most pizza toppings are extremely low in carbs as well, I thought we may have a winner.

A trip to the grocery store was warranted and I suggested that Audrey and Dagny meet me there after her appointment with the pediatric orthopedist.

We love to shop together.

I arrived first and sure enough as I came around the end of an aisle to proceed into the next one, I saw Audrey coming towards me, pushing a cart containing a bright-yellow casted Dagny.

Tomatoes, mushrooms, sausage, fresh mozzarella, and pepperoni await their time to shine

My granddaughter was happily brandishing a Starbucks venti caramel and chocolate something or other, the purchase of which her mother quipped had been motivated by mom guilt.

Enjoy every drop of that, Dagny, I said. You've earned it, and then some.

She just grinned, full of sugar and still feeling the effects of a mild painkiller.

The doctor said to come back on August second, at which time Dagny can put her crutches at the back of a closet -- or pitch them into the lake -- because on that day he will fit her with a walking cast.

Off brand perhaps, but thick, spicy, delicious, and forever in my cupboard

She will have to start third grade on August sixteenth wearing that cast, but he promised that she will be able to swim on Labor Day.

That's our last summer get-together, on which we have a big party and celebrate our Stephanie's birthday.

I'll be looking forward to it even more than usual this year.

After I'd purchased everything I'd need for the pizza, plus the other things on my list, I settled up at the till (managing to keep both arms and legs but having briefly contemplated the necessity of selling some of my jewelry) and we parted ways.

The finished product, which I will likely never make again

Everyone would be at my house several hours later for the meal.

The low-carb almond flour pizza crust was super easy to make. Its consistency is a lot like wet sand. It is sticky but not hard to handle; you just have to use parchment paper.

As in, I lined my large jellyroll pan with the paper and dumped the dough onto it. Then I added another layer of parchment paper and began coaxing the dough to the edges.

It took a few minutes but soon enough there was a genuine pizza crust ready for the oven.

Browned Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage mixed with pizza sauce

After baking, it cooled for a long time while I got my toppings ready.

I'd planned to make a low-carb pizza sauce using this recipe, but soon realized that the canned and jarred pizza sauces contain fewer carbs than the tomato paste which is the base of the low-carb version.

That making no sense to me (because I would have had to buy some costly spices too), I bought an inexpensive canned version which turned out to be so delicious, I will be stocking it in my cupboard from now on.

With only two net carbs per one-fourth cup of sauce, it's a winner on every score.

Next: well-drained tomatoes and mushrooms

As the time approached for my guests to arrive, I spread the sauce thickly on my low-carb crust. I added fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, pepperoni, discs of fresh mozzarella, parmesan, and red pepper flakes.

I wait until the pizza is baked to add a light layer of feta cheese to the top.

In due time we were all around the table with generous helpings of low-carb pizza on our plates. I had also made a baked macaroni and cheese because the children love it so much.

I took a bite of my pizza. Ugh. I hated it.

When it comes to cheese, two kinds are better than one

Looking around the table at everyone tasting their pizza, I was filled with fear. No one looked up; they were either too busy eating or they were afraid to look at me lest I see the horror in their eyes.

I think TG was the first one to say that he thought the pizza was delicious. He went for a second helping. Everyone else (besides me) agreed that they were enjoying their meal immensely.

If you don't like pepperoni, you're going to add something else at this point

Here's the thing: I just don't like the taste of almond flour. I already knew that, having used it in another recipe a few months back, but I'd hoped that as pizza crust, combined with the spicy toppings, I wouldn't notice the taste as much.

I was wrong, but as far as I can tell, no one shares my opinion. Erica asked for the recipe for my crust. TG said again that although the crust wasn't like regular pizza, the toppings were so good that he wouldn't mind if we had the almond flour crust all the time.

Wearing a robe of parmesan with a few red pepper flakes and ready for the oven

Audrey said she loved it. Dagny devoured hers. Chad did not complain, but then he wouldn't.

However, I doubt that I'll make it again. I have another recipe for a low-carb pizza crust using coconut flour, and I want to try that because I love the taste of coconut flour. 

Until that time though, I decided to further develop a concoction I've put together before, and always loved: crustless pizza.

Now, up until this time, I'd done that by merely coating the bottom of a baking dish with pizza sauce and adding pepperoni and mozzarella cheese, sprinkling the top with parmesan, and baking it until bubbly.

President is the only brand of feta I'll use

It's delicious and honestly, you don't even miss the crust. I had made that mainly as a snack rather than as a meal.

But, having given myself several days to get over the disappointment of my almond flour crust experience, I decided to dig out and dust off the crustless pizza concept, and zhuzh it up a bit.

So here's how I did it.

I browned a pound of Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage. After it was thoroughly drained, I mixed it with a jar of pizza sauce and spread it in in the bottom of my baking dish.

Baked to bubbly. It doesn't take all that long.

To the top of that I added -- again, completely drained of their liquid -- fresh tomatoes and mushrooms.

The next layer was a mixture of shredded mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheeses.

After that I added a thick layer of pepperoni, and sprinkled a liberal amount of parmesan on top of that.

Into the 350-degree oven it went.

Add the feta because when it comes to cheese, more is more

When it was bubbly, I brought it out and shook a lot of feta over the top. (President is the only brand of feta I will use. Erica gets it for me at Costco and I pay her back.)

Y'all. This is legit. (Low carb for those who care, but you could serve warm pizza bread along with it, for those who don't.)

I guess to be honest I should point out that it's really more like a pizza casserole. It's thick and satisfying, tasty and spicy and so totally pizza-like in taste, but casserole-like in presentation.

Now I need to point out that although this recipe is extremely low in carbs and of course gluten-free in case that is a concern, it is high in fat and calories, and probably sodium too.

A tasty and satisfying supper

If you're counting carbs, as a rule you don't count those other things. If you are counting those other things, this is probably going to be too rich for your blood.

But I pay attention only to carbs, and for many reasons, it works for me.

I will say though, that a relatively small portion of this crustless pizza is filling and satisfying enough that I could not imagine having seconds.

So that's my (unoriginal, but still) contribution to the world of low-carb living: pizza with almond flour crust, with coconut flour crust (which I have yet to try), and with no crust at all.

At church a week ago Sunday with her first hard cast, and on crutches

I hope you have not been bored to tears with my description of these myriad pizza adventures.

Because if all else fails, Hungry Howie's is right around the corner, with virtuous thin-crust pizza on the menu.

Next: Baby Rhett's first birthday party! This coming Saturday, right here!

You know I will tell you all about it after the fact. Meanwhile, I'll make the rounds and find out what all of you have been up to.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Monday

Comments

[Lori]

I am thrilled to hear she made it through with flying colors. What a trooper!! And happy she'll be able to swim on labor day. At least she has that to look forward to.
I don't care for almonds or almond flour myself so I probably wouldn't be a fan of this either.
Your crust less pizza/casserole looks delicious. I could see serving that with a nice garlic bread, but wait, that's ruins the point of no carbs doesn't it. lol
Glad to see/hear that all is well in your world!! Stay cool!!

[Ginny Hartzler]

I will try this crustless version, what an original and cool creation! It is good to see Dagney, and know she is doing well and smiling. I have never seen this Furmano's sauce, but will buy it if I do. I often make my own with tomato sauce and adding spices.

[Jennifer]

@Lori ... No, do it! Serve it with the bread! I would do that just for those who want it, even if that's everyone at the table. But this is so good that if you make a practice of saying no to bread, you won't even feel it. We're agreed on almond flour (although I love almonds). I'm going to divide up my remaining flour between my girls. xoxo

@Ginny ... I got the Furmano's sauce at Walmart! I had never seen it before and took a chance. It's really very good. I hope you try the crustless pizza casserole, haha! xoxo

[Jane]

I'm glad Dagny is doing well, Labor Day will be here before she knows it.

[Bijoux]

Two years ago, when I was trying to figure out Middle Child’s digestive issues, I began using almond flour to see if gluten free would help her. I agree that the almond flour is just plain nasty. And it didn’t help her and I managed to get a kidney stone, possibly from eating too many almond products (oxalate + lack of dietary calcium = stones). I steer clear of anything almond now.

I do LOVE pizza, but rarely have it because sodium is not my friend. I love just about any topping besides sausage or anchovies. Pineapple is my fave, which is a real room divider! Lol! I’ve never heard of feta as a topping, but I can see how that would be yum!

[Mari]

Hooray for Dagny! She is really showing how a break is done right. She looks so cute in her dress for church.
I hate to tell you but I really don't like feta. I'll have to try your dish with fresh mozzerella!

[Jennifer]

@Jane ... isn't it wonderful? And you're right; in the blink of an eye it will be Labor Day. Thanks for stopping by!

@Bijoux ... I hear you re: the sodium in pizza; it really is off the charts -- the pepperoni alone! And I love pepperoni so much! I can't understand why almond flour is so awful; I love almonds. Oh well, you live and learn. I think the coconut flour version deserves a try. Feta is SO GOOD on so many things. Delicious on salads and burgers and just about everything! BTW on Saturday for Rhett's party we're having a cookout. I'm going to put pineapple tidbits in my baked beans! xoxo

@Mari ... whaaaaat? You don't like pepperoni and you don't like feta? We will just have to have chocolate ice cream! Haaahahaha mozzarella is excellent on everything so you can't go wrong there! Isn't Dagny adorable on crutches? What a kid. xoxo

[Liberty Belle]

Speedy healing for Dagny. Glad some were pleased with the almond crust pizza. The crustless pizza seems like it would be good with garlic bread as a dipper. It wouldn't be low carb that way though, which is a pity.

[Jennifer]

@Liberty ... no it wouldn't but wow that would be good! At least you could serve one meal and satisfy a couple of different dietary needs and wants! We're planning hamburgers on the grill for Rhett's birthday but I am making low-carb buns and a number of low-carb sides, plus regular ones. No one will go hungry and they won't go off their diet unless they just want to, haaaha xoxo

[betty]

LOL, Jenny, you "lost" me at almond flour and coconut flour. I just thought flour was flour. I didn't realize there were a few different kinds (I didn't get the baking or cooking gene, lol :) But I did enjoy reading about your concoctions and looking at the pictures! Everything did look and sound delicious! So thankful Dagny weathered the procedure to set her bone well and seems to be a trooper with thoe crutches and occupying herself in the middle of summer with a cast on! Glad she'll get that Labor Day swim in! I'm sure everyone is counting down the days until then! Can't wait to see the celebration for Rhett's 1st birthday! It is hard to imagine that a year has flown by! In the meantime, stay cool if that is possible!

betty

[Gayla]

yOUR PIZZA LOOKED DELICIOUS BUT ALAS! I really don't like almond flour either. It tastes like sand. I found my faves to be mini pizzas with the 4 carb tortillas from Aldi's... Love those. or the chaffle recipe you gave us... I pat it out on parchment and give it a bake. Then I add the toppings. Bake again! Yum! I like to make backyard bbq pizza with that crust, a thin layer of bbq sauce... sometimes i use keto tomato sauce and some carb free maple syrup for that... then grilled chicken, bacon, onion, and cheese... Ill be counting the days until that cast comes off!

[Jeanette]

I'm glad Dagny endured her procedure without too much pain and was thoroughly enjoying her Starbucks treat! I made biscuits once with almond flour and thought they were ok, but never made them again! I have made a low carb pizza crust with riced cauliflower and mozzarella cheese before, I liked it a lot but Rich not so much! Now I just get thin crust whenever I get pizza! Looking forward to hearing about Rhetts 1st birthday party!

[Jennifer]

@Betty ... haahahaaa I agree that it can be baffling but I think low-carb flours are pretty amazing if you can't have regular flour because of carbs or gluten. I'm done with almond flour, though. No more. I also agree that it will be so great to see Dagny in the pool on Labor Day, this whole episode behind her. God made us so fearfully and wonderfully, that we heal and go right on even after such a traumatic event. We're so glad that it was no worse. We will be pulling out all the stops for Rhett's birthday, so stay tuned and stay cool! Love to Winslow! xoxo

@Gayla ... I think sand would taste good compared to almond flour! Ugh it's disgusting! All of your low-carb recipes sound great and we too love the low-carb tortillas! The days will fly by until Dagny has her little leg all to herself again, and in the midst of the journey, she will start third grade so that is sure to distract her! Have a great week! xoxo

@Jeanette ... When I first got some almond flour I made blueberry muffins ... they were just plain gross. I have learned my lesson. I've never tried the cauliflower crust craze but maybe I should! Hope you're having a good week my friend! xoxo

[Donna G]

So glad Dagny sailed through the re-set, the walking cast will be a relief, then in a blink, it will all be done. The young heal so fast, and can leave that episode in the dust!
Thanks for the crustless pizza idea, I will bring for the next Sunday School potluck. Your recipes always look and sound so good, and you share your forthright opinion if they don’t turn out, which is appreciated!
Blessings for baby Rhetts’ first birthday, will look forward to those precious pictures!

[Jennifer]

@Donna ... First let me say thanks for stopping by, and for reading and commenting! I like your sentiment of Dagny leaving this whole episode in the dust! That will be a good day. I hope the folks at your potluck like the crustless pizza dish! And I sure will say if I don't like something, haaha! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures on Saturday as our baby turns one. He is getting so long and skinny, and growing downy hair on his head! We're looking forward to seeing what he does with his smash cake. I hope you're having a good week! xoxo

[Carla TePaske]

Hello,
I will continue to pray for Dagny. I cannot believe how fast summer is flying by. School will be starting for our son August 15th. His last year of Tech College, he is in automotive and will be Subaru Certified.
He is excited to get back to school, he enjoys it and he loves working on automobiles.

Have a great party for your little guy!! I am looking forward to your next post.
Carla

[Jennifer]

@Carla ... your prayers are very much appreciated, friend, and they have certainly been answered thus far. Dagny has taken the whole thing so well and in just a few weeks she won't have to bother with those blasted crutches! What a great accomplishment for your son, to get the schooling he needs in order to do what he loves. I hope he truly enjoys this last year in school and embarks on a satisfying career. Our little Rhett is so darling, our hearts may burst on his birthday! We'll try to hold it together and I will take lots of pictures to share! xoxo

[Mari-Nanci]

Yes, missed this one toooooo! And was wondering how she was doing.

Oh those crutches, so uncomfortable. Itwill be so super wonderful, whenthis is all over.

We have our delivered gluten free crust sausage and black olive pizza,every Saturday. :-)))) I never try to make it any more. It's my don't have to cook treat. :-))))))

🌸🌹🌸🌹🌸🌹🌸

[Jennifer]

@Mari-Nanci ... I'm all about not having to cook! Where do you get such a perfect pizza for you, I wonder? Dagny is now in a walking cast and although she's still uncomfortable, she's getting better every day! Just a few more weeks! xoxo