"Pizza" and "Healthy"... Not an oxymoron!

HEALTHY PIZZA!
As crazy as Americans are for pizza, few ever dare to make it at home. That's truly a shame, because the pizza we turn to is overpriced, awash in empty calories, and ultimately not all that delicious.

Anyone can do better in their home by combining a handful of garden-fresh ingredients and following a few simple steps. And believe it or not, pizza made the right way can make for a truly well-balanced meal. So preheat your oven, break out the pizza cutter, and get ready to bake the best pizza of your life with our 4 Easy Rules for Delicious Pizza.

Pizza Rule #1
The Hotter, the Better
The higher the heat, the better. True Italian pizzas are cooked in about 2 minutes in 1,000 degree Fahrenheit ovens. Preheat your oven for 30 minutes at 500 degrees Fahrenheit (the max temp for most home ovens) for a light, crispy crust.
Pizza Rule #2
Fire Up the Grill
Nothing better approximates the smoky char of a wood-burning oven than a grill. Have your ingredients ready, slide the raw dough directly onto the hot grates, and grill until lightly charred, about 4 minutes. Flip and immediately add sauce and cheese, then cover the grill and wait for the cheese to melt.
Pizza Rule #3
Go Easy on the Toppings
Pizza isn't about how much cheese you can cram onto a slice; it's about the subtle interplay of bread, sauce, cheese, and topping. Don't use more than 2 ounces of cheese and a few pieces of meat or vegetable per slice.
Pizza Rule #4
Break Out of the Box
Nontraditional ingredients—barbecue sauce, chorizo, pistachios—can elevate a humble pie to new heights.

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN GET STARTED...

Whole Wheat and Honey Pizza Dough
Ingredients
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water (not too hot, or the yeast will be killed)
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
3. In a large bowl combine flour, wheat germ and salt. Make a well in the middle and add honey, olive oil, and yeast mixture. Stir well to combine, then form it into a ball. Cover and set in a warm place to rise for about 10 minutes.
4. **Optional: Make-Ahead Directions** (If you’d like to keep the dough for later, wrap the dough in plastic wrap after it has risen, and store it in the refrigerator. Before using, let the dough sit out for about 10 minutes to come to room temperature.)
5. Roll dough on a floured pizza pan and poke a few holes in it with a fork.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 3-5 minutes, or until desired crispiness is achieved. Remove the crust from the oven.
7. Top with sauce or pesto, light sprinkling of cheese, and a few veggies and/or meat.
8. Bake again (or grill) until toppings are hot and cheese is melted.
9. ENJOY!

If You Don’t Have Time to Make the Dough… Use:

* Flour tortillas for a thin crust
* Sourdough english muffins for mini-pizzas
* A whole wheat pita pocket
* Whole grain bagels
* A toasted half-loaf of sourdough french bread