Whole Wheat Pizza with the Works

Lunch today was an eye opener. While running errands (buying stuff for Lauren's 7th birthday party next weekend) we went to Panera Bread and I thought I chose a healthy meal from the menu. 1/2 a Greek Salad and 1/2 a Sierra Turkey Sandwich. I got home and looked them up by Weight Watchers points and found out I ate a 21 point lunch. (That's more than half of my daily points.)

After splurging on lunch I was very happy to take it easy with a healthy dinner.

Whole Wheat Pizza with the Works
(slightly adapted from Better Homes and Gardens, Eat Well, Lose Weight cookbook)

1 recipe pizza dough
2T tomato paste
1/2 cup tomato based pasta sauce or pizza sauce
1/2 6oz. pkge turkey pepperoni
1 1/2 c. thinly sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 of a small green sweet pepper, sliced into strips
1/4 c. chopped onion
1c. shredded mexican cheese blend

1. Prepare Pizza dough.

Pizza Dough:
In a small bowl combine 1 package active dry yeast and 2/3 c. warm water. Let stand 5 min. Stir in 1 T. honey and 1 T. olive oil.
In a lg bowl combine 3/4 c. whole wheat flour, 1/4c. cornmeal, and 1/4 t. salt. Stir in yeast mixture. Stir in as much of 3/4 to 1c. all-purpose flour (APF) as you can with a wooden spoon.
Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining APF to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes total.) Shape dough into a ball. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly double in size (30-45 minutes.) Makes enough for 1 pizza. Punch down dough; let rest 10 min. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 12-inch circle.

2. Preheat a pizza stone in a 425 degree oven. Transfer dough to stone . Slightly build up edges and prick dough all over with a fork.
3. Bake crust 8-10 min. or until lightly browned. Spread tomato paste and sauce on partially baked crust. Top with turkey pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, and onion.

4. Sprinkle with cheese.

5. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and edge of crust is browned. Makes 8 servings.

I had a half a serving of the pizza and thought it was good. The pizza crust definitely tasted on the healthy side (whole wheat flour taste) but the toppings made up for it.

I also made up a big batch of soup tonight. I will eat this for lunch all week long. Tasty, filling and oh so spicy!! Only 1 WWplus points too!

Mexican-Inspired Vegetable Soup