Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and New Year’s, brings lots of joy and lots of food. With all the sweets and celebrations, don’t forget the veggies. They help you stay healthy and reduce those carbs. Harvest Home has some ideas to help.

Make your own pizza This Tortilla Pizza costs less, tastes better, and is healthier and faster. Cut down on the carbs and calories with a thin crust and up the taste with your favorite toppings.

Basic Tortilla Pizza: Make it a family favorite with cheeses, sauces and added veggies.

Start with a quick and easy pie and get creative. Make individual pizzas with smaller tortilla or use half a large tortilla for each person.

Ingredients:

• Tortillas

• 4 ounces of sauce for each tortilla (pizza sauce, regular pasta sauce, enchilada sauce)

• 2-3 ounces of cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, goat, feta)

• Top with lots of very small chopped veggies for roasted veggie taste or slip between sauce and cheese.

How to make:

• Heat the oven to 450°

• Lightly brush the bottom of the tortilla with olive oil; place on a cookie sheet

• Add thin layer of sauce and sprinkle on the cheese

• Add topping like chopped carrots, peppers, mushrooms, kale, and broccoli. Just keep the pieces small.

• Add few slices of chorizo, pepperoni or cooked chicken.

• Bake 8-10 minutes or 15 minutes for a crispier crust.

This pizza is an alternative from the regular pizza, depending on what you put on top. Tomatoes have lycopene that fights certain cancers. Cheese has calcium and protein for strong bones. Onions, peppers and mushrooms have vitamins A, C and E to boost the immune system. Chopped kale or broccoli adds iron, fiber and Vitamin C.

Enjoy the Holidays

FUN WITH TORTILLA PIZZA

RECIPE: Tortilla Pizza Variations

CALIFORNIA STYLE PIZZA:

• Add small bits of vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower or carrots.

• Use up leftover chicken, cook up a little bit of chorizo or add a few slices of pepperoni for the meat lovers.

WESTERN STYLE PIZZA:

• Use Barbeque sauce instead of tomato sauce.

• Add mozzarella cheese or sharp cheddar

• Top off with red onion and fresh jalapeno pepper

• Shredded pork makes a great addition

MEXICAN PIZZA:

• Spread a thin layer of refried beans on the tortilla

• Add a layer of enchilada sauce instead of tomato sauce

• Use Mexican blend cheese for the next layer

• Top with tomatoes and green chilies

• Add cooked ground beef or turkey for that meat lover

TIPS

Turn leftovers into a new meal: Sprinkle already cooked meat or vegetables cut in small pieces on top of the cheese.

Add meat for a “heartier” meal: Brown ground turkey or beef and add between the tomato sauce and the cheese or sprinkle on the top.

More flavor and health: Add chopped pepper or mushrooms. Chopped kale or spinach adds extra color and health.

Crispier Crust: Brown the tortilla before you make the pizza. Heat a very small amount of oil in a frying pan. Brown the tortilla on one side for 15 seconds. Flip over and brown the other side. Place on paper towel to remove oil. Add topping and bake.

Added Freshness: Fresh herbs are abundant and inexpensive through summer. Sprinkle on some basil freshness for flavor and health.

HAPPY

HOLIDAYS!