Almost Pizza {Flax & Almond Meal Pizza Dough}

I've been doing this no-sugar, no-grain thing for over a month now, and here is the secret when cooking or baking: Do not expect anything you make to taste like what you're used to.

I'm serious. Going to make homemade ice cream sweetened with stevia? Plan on whipping up some almond meal pancakes? How about creating coconut flour tortillas? Go for it! Keep a smile on your face, knowing that you are moving toward a healthier, happier version of yourself. But don't think for one second that these creations will taste like what you're used to. Nothing can imitate what happens to refined flour and sugar when baked.

That being said, I recently made grain-free pizza dough. You all know how I love pizza. I spent months perfecting my pizza dough recipe and a huge part of Robby and me returning to New York two years ago was to eat New York pizza every day and night for a week straight.

This does not taste like New York pizza. Not even close. And it does not taste like my homemade barbecued pizza I love so. But it does remind me of pizza, and as far as no-grain foods go, this is a good one! The crust serves as a nice foundation for mounds of toppings, and the absolute best part is this crust is as healthy as a handful of nuts and seeds. Which means you can skip on over for seconds or thirds without a worry in the world. Well, at least without a worry in the sugar and grain world.

Ingredients
1/2 cup + 1/8 cup ground flax
1/2 cup almond meal/flour
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon Italian spices (or 1/2 basil and 1/2 oregano)
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground chia seed mixed with 2 tablespoons water (let sit 5 minutes)
1 egg
4 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 cup water

Directions
Mix the flax, almond meal, salt, spices, and baking powder together. Mix the egg and chia seed/water together. Pour the egg mixture into the dry mixture, add the olive oil and water, and mix well. Let sit for five minutes, then mix again.

Pour the dough onto a silicone baking mat and smooth into a thin circle using the back of a silicone spatula. Bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes.

Take out, add tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings (the key is to have a lot!), and put back in the oven for 10 minutes or so, taking care not to let it burn at all. Once out, top with fresh basil and cracked pepper. Slice and serve!

If you try it, do tell me what you think of it!