Plums and prunes may be a foreign fruit for some people– but our family grew up on them! We’d have fresh plums packed in our lunch boxes and prunes (another word for dried plums!) for after school snacks. I was so excited when The Recipe Redux announced their latest recipe contest– because now I get to relive my childhood!
By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by California Dried Plum Board and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.
How better to relive your childhood than pizza?! Except with this lightened up, grain-free pizza packed with tons of flavor.
The California Dried Plum Board challenged us Recipe ReDuxers to develop creative ways to use California dried plums in our everyday cooking. May is National Osteoporosis Month, so it’s the perfect time to showcase how healthy dried plums are for bone health. Dried plums are usually thought of as a healthy snack, but they are actually a very versatile culinary ingredient.
They’re a great flavor enhancer in marinades, add moisture to meats and you can substitute plum puree for fats or sugars in baked goods.
Plums help support healthy bones by increasing bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Eating just one serving of dried plums every day can prevent bone loss in older women. Dried plums can also support heart health, digestive health, immunity and healthy aging. One serving of plums has 3g of fiber, high in potassium, magnesium and vitamin K.
I really wanted to experiment with using the dried plums to sweeten something that isn’t normally sweet. How about adding plum puree to some spicy BBQ sauce? I had a big jar of sauce in the fridge, so I tossed it in the food processor along with the plums and pureed them together.
The plums tasted amazing with the BBQ sauce– it thickened it up really nice and added a fruity, sweet flavor to the spicy sauce.
The cauliflower crust is thick and soft, with a crunchy bottom and a wonderful cheesy taste! If you haven’t jumped on the cauliflower pizza crust bandwagon train yet, you totally need to try it. I was hesitant at first too but it really isn’t that hard! The only slightly tricky part is making sure you get the most water out of the cauliflower as you can. But once you get the hang of that, totally easy.
By combining the dried plums with two different types of cheese and fresh zucchini, you increase that bone-health factor, naturally!
Here’s the recipe!
- 2 small heads of cauliflower (or 1 very large), cut into florets, stems removed
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 large eggs
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup California Dried Plums, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup Monterrey jack cheese, shredded
- 1 large zucchini, spiralized or julienned
- red pepper flakes, to taste
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
- Bring a pot filled half way with water to boil.
- While the water heats, pulse the cauliflower florets in a food processor until finely riced.
- Once the water is boiling, add the cauliflower and cook for 4 minutes. Drain through a mesh colander. Using a heavy object, such as a small glass bowl, press the cauliflower down into the colander to get as much water out as you can.
- In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower rice, oregano, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese and eggs. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
- Divide the dough out into two balls and place on a baking sheet. Spread the dough out to create two 6-7" personal pizzas, about 1/2-inch thick.
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Using a spatula, remove and place on a cooling rack.
- Using the food processor (rinsed from last use), blend together the BBQ sauce and the chopped plums.
- Using a spatula, spread the sauce onto each pizza. Top with the cheese, zucchini noodles, and red pepper flakes. Return to the oven and bake for another 5-6 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
Hi! I’m Emily, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and self-taught intuitive chef. I firmly believe that cooking is the simplest and most important step we can take to improve our minds and bodies and build healthier communities. Join me and let’s bring food back to the kitchen!
Love the idea of adding dried plums to BBQ sauce – oh the possibilities with this concoction!
It was so good, you could eat it by the spoonful!
How creative – loving this recipe! I also love the addition of zoodles on top vs. plain chopped/sliced veggies on pizza.
Thanks, Alanna! The zoodles are added raw, and soften slightly in the oven. Tastes great!
What a unique combination..I love it!!! Must try this!
Thanks girl!
I saw this and got so excited! What a fabulous idea and wonderful combo of ingredients!
Who knew plums and BBQ sauce tasted so good together?! Haha!
This pizza looks heavenly! I love your creativity and the fact that you were able to create such a beautiful pizza!
I definitely ate the entire thing after I took pictures :-O
I currently have a stress fracture due to osteoporosis. I’m 23. It’s not just older women who can suffer with bone loss.
I love that you put plum on this! This looks so awesome! I’ve been craving [homemade] pizza for the longest time, but still haven’t gotten around to making it. I need to try this! <3
this was my first time trying cauliflower crust, and I was pleasantly surprised! It was so tasty!