"Thinking Outside the Pizza Box" - Article, Recipes, Videos, and More

A few months ago I did my 1st TeeVee gig on how to make a plant-based pizza for the "busy professional" in less than 30 minutes. Here's the full 30 min. video and then the cropped 3 minute version (focused on just making the pizza).  I later wrote a short article documenting the recipes for the Vegetarian Society of DC (the oldest such group in this country). The quick "cheese-like" topping is gluten-free and modified recipe from the 1st Vegan Pizza Cookbook, "Heart Healthy Pizza."


As a proud Life Member of VSDC, it was wonderful to see my article in their newsletter. My thanks to VSDC for all their efforts in promoting veganism and a healthy plant-based lifestyle.

JPEG version of the Article "Making a Plant-based Pizza in 30 Minutes:" (the full newsletter not totally accessible in all browsers): http://www.hearthealthypizza.com/VSDCNews2013Summer08.jpg

PDF of Full Newsletter:  http://www.vsdc.org/downloads/VSDCNews/2013/VSDCNews2013Summer.pdf

25 Minute Cable TeeVee Demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXR_InxQPQg

3 Minute "Close-in" Demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbJYvigtkIE

"Thinking Outside the Pizza Box" 8 Min. Ramble/Short Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONfgiS2DNXI

Now, there's enough information for anyone who wants to make a healthy plant-based pizza in 30 minutes or less.  No more excuses...

"Heart Healthy Pizza" Demo/Interview Being Broadcast this Week

Well, it's happening. The Cable TV demo/interview taping session I blogged about earlier last month, is finally being broadcast.  It'll be in the Fairfax, VA area (ComCast Cable).  Other nearby counties will probably be able to view it as well.  I'm showing start to finish, how to make a plant-based pizza "for the busy professional" in 30 minutes or less (eat your heart out Domino's and Papa John's).
Here's the broadcast information:

"Healthy Food Happy You's" broadcast of Mark's demo of making vegan pizza & interview will be on Fairfax Public Access (FPA) Cable Channel 10 on: Wednesday, May 8th at 9:30 am; Friday, May 10th at 5:30pm; and Sunday, May 12th at 6am.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to be in Fairfax during that period to throw things at the TeeVee, but the digital version of the broadcast will be available later this month, and of course, no matter what the results, will be announced here.

...and if you happen to see it, let me know how it went, will you?  Thanks!

Heart Healthy Pizza: "I Has A Video Channel" - plus 4 "How-to" Video Clips

(re-posted from April 8th):

Practicing for a video taping for Cable Public Access. Have posted clips of my "practice" sessions (verbal errors, corrections, whatever) without any serious editing as they might be useful for people in:

1) learning how to shape your pizza dough

2) how to put your vegetable toppings on your pizza in an optimal fashion

3) how to make one of my "cheese-like" topping sauces (from my book)

4) what the finished product looks like & discussion

These are raw experiments (no serious post-editing), but great sport nonetheless.  Don't know when I'll time to do them again, so I wanted these available now.  I will be doing several more in the near future (and not all will be pizza! many cooking techniques, making pizza components, etc.).



Oh, and I has a Video Channel.  Here's the link which will give you access to all of the above and more. And, obligatory note from a self-published author, you can order an autographed copy of the 1st Vegan Pizza Cook, "Heart Healthy Pizza," here.

"Mad Cowboy Pizza" Recipe, Giveaway, & Short Interview

(re-posted from April 5th):

Somer has outdone herself w/ photos illustrating the Official Mad Cowboy Pizza from my cookbook, "Heart Healthy Pizza."  Back in 2008, Howard actually worked with me in the kitchen, instructing me as to what (and in what order) he wanted on his vegan pizza.  It was great sport!  BTW: by going "no oil" in addition to his already vegan, he's lost considerable weight since then.

©2013 by Vedgedout (note the cheese-like dollops!)

Anyway, at Somer's Vedgedout Blog you'll find several photos of the creation process, all associated recipes, a short interview with yours truly, and a free giveaway of an autographed copy of Heart Healthy Pizza!

" A slice of Mad Cowboy Pizza coming atcha!" - ©2013 by Vedgedout

Well worth your time... have fun! And my thanks to Somer for her excellent (and hard) work.

Cookbook Giveaway, Review, and Recipes

©2013 by Vegedout

A wonderful post of recipes for my "Spanakopizza" creation, a giveaway of my cookbook, and Part 1 of her review of said book.  Somer has posted some fine photos, too, showing her pizza in different stages. Here's a favorite part of her review:

"I have to admit, when I first dug into Mark’s Book, I was a little overwhelmed. There are nearly a dozen crust recipes (including some for my GF peeps!) Close to 20 sauce recipes (for the pizza base), then more than 50 No-Nonsense  Non-Cheese Sauces. I mean, the combinations are nearly endless. It all felt a bit daunting! Thankfully, Mark knows how to help a home cook out, he devotes a whole chapter to some amazing pizza combinations (nearly 40 combos) to help you get started. All of the recipes in his book are vegan, heart healthy and very low in fat. Several of the combinations immediately caught my eye. However, this Spanakopizza recipe that Mark is sharing with you today is going to be hard to beat."

©2013 by Vegedout

 

Recipes for the Official Mad Cowboy Pizza (that Howard Lyman designed with me) and an interview with yours truly coming on this Friday!  Stay tuned...

Plant-based "St. Patty's Pizza Pie" Recipes

"St. Patty's Pizza Pie" Before Adding Sauce

My "St. Patty's Pizza Pie" recipes from the world's first vegan pizza cookbook.  All recipes are no-fat and plant-based.  The St. Patty's Pizza Pie recipe calls for a wonderful "Barley, Navy Beans, and Horseradish" topping sauce! 

 Here's a photo of a slice of the finished pizza:

Completed and savory "St. Patty's Pizza Pie (all photos @2013 by Mark Sutton)

"St. Patty's Pie" Out of the Oven

St. Patty's Pizza Pie 

CRUST:

• Whole Wheat Dough (add 1 T. dried dill before mixing)

LAYERING INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup carrots (sliced small julienne)

• 1/2 cup turnips (sliced small julienne)

• 1/2 cup parsnips (sliced small julienne)

• 1 cup diced cabbage

• 2 t. horseradish

• 1 t. wet mustard

• 1 t. dried parsley

• 1/4 cup white wine (or water)

• 1 t. soy sauce

• TVP Corned Beef Cubes (recipes follows)

• Barley, White Beans, and Horseradish Sauce (p. 47)

• 1 onion (sliced thin)

• paprika (optional)

METHOD:

1. Pre-heat oven to 425 or 450 degrees F. (depending upon your oven).

2. Put ingredients up to soy sauce into a non-stick (preferably) saute pan or wok. Bring to a slow boil, stirring to mix, and simmer on very low until most of the liquid is gone and the vegetables are still tender crisp. Drain, let cool to room temperature.

3. Arrange vegetable mixture on prepared and shaped dough.

4. Sprinkle on TVP Corned Beef Cubes.

5. Arrange onion slices on top of pizza.

6. Pour topping sauce on pizza.

7. Sprinkle on paprika (to taste).

8. Bake pizza for 15 to 20 minutes.

VARIATION:

• Use 3/4 cup carrots and 3/4 cup cubed potatoes instead of 1/2 cup carrots, turnips, and parsnips. Be careful not to overcook the potatoes or they will be mushy.

TVP Corned Beef Cubes Recipe 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup unflavored TVP cubes

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

• 1/4 t. ground pepper (or to taste)

• 1 T. Ketchup

• 3/4 cup water

• 1 T. red Tabasco sauce

METHOD:

1. Put all ingredients into a small pot, mix, and slowly bring to a boil.

2. Simmer on very low for 10 to 15 minutes, turn off the heat, and let cool. Drain if necessary.

VARIATION:

• Substitute TVP cubes with tempeh cubes, reducing simmering time to 5 minutes.

Barley, White Beans, and Horseradish Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/3 cup pearl barley

• 1 1/4 cup water

• 1 cup cooked white beans

• 2 T. corn starch

• 1/2 T. prepared horseradish

• 1/2 T. wet mustard

• 3/4 cup water

METHOD:

1. Rinse and drain the beans (to remove any salt).

2. Bring 1 1/4 cup water and barley to a boil, cover, turn down to very low, simmer, covered, for 30 to 40 minutes or less (until the water is absorbed). Let cool to room temperature.

3. Add all ingredients except the water to a blender or food processor, pulse a few times, and add half the water, pulse, and then the remaining water to blend until it's a smooth pancake-like batter.

NOTE:

• Makes enough sauce for two 12 to 14" inch pizzas (around 3 cups).

Recipes @2013 by Mark Sutton.  Please include this copyright,  post and my website if you post them elsewhere.

Photos: 1st Ever Heart Healthy Pizza Demonstration/Sampling!!

Well did it!!! 9 16" no-oil heart healthy plant-based pizzas served to 30 hungry guests in 3 hours (I had decided to serve one to volunteeers before we got started; they often don't get to eat, and can see how I approached making a pizza).  The day was incredible, and we learned a helluva lot pulling this "first time ever" demonstration.  The Vegetarian Society of DC (Saurabh (the Pres., managing, food prepping, serving, speaking), Paige (food prepper extraordinaire, serving, speaking). Diane (food prepping, serving, managing, photography), Colette (photography), and Rodney (all-around problem solver, member of the Eastern Village Co-Housing Community where this presentation was accomplished) were absolutely amazing.

Fortunately, all I had to do was bring 8 16" pizza crusts premade, topping ingredients pre-measured segregated, and sit and watch the fun... yeah, right...  It was exhausting.  Aggravated my leg injury, hadda use a cane for the first time in five weeks.  Oh well, adversity makes it all the sweeter when the team is victorious.
There's going to be more of these events, not just in the DC area (I hope). Here's a link to where the menu is posted.  I loved speaking to the group and used, in public for the first time, my goal phrase of "helping people think outside the pizza box."  More on this some other day...

In any case, my deepest appreciation to the VSDC and volunteers for all their hard work.  It was truly an exciting and thrilling time. Clearly, though, the most popular pizza was the "Really Reubenesque" (you can see it in the photos before being smothered in oat/cannelinni beans/horseradish 'cheese-like sauce"), which is straight from my book.

Here's a link to some 170 photos of the party, with copyrights going to Diane Payne, Colette Price, and Mark Sutton.  I've also added two of my favorite photos below.  Enjoy!  The event was on January 13th, 2013.

Mark Slinging Pizza!

Diane, Mark, Rodney, Paige, and Saurabh: We Make Heart Healthy Pizza!!

College Exam #2: Heart Healthy Pizza Gets Another "A"

As noted in a previous post, I've always felt that one of the Ultimate Tests of a good pizza (plant-based, plant-strong, or not) is what College Students think of it. Having accomplished their 1st test, the infamous (and plant-strong) College Greens graciously sacrificed their intensive late-night weekly Saturday Night Study Period and Angry Bird Marathon (kidding... a fowl joke), to try another recipe from my book, "Heart Healthy Pizza."

A couple of days ago, via e-mail at the Engine2Extra Online Community, the results came in, with photos as well!  Here's what Tara had to say (unedited, and with her permission):

--------------

"WE MADE ANOTHER PIZZA THIS WEEKEND!!!! And once again... SUCCESS!!!!

This time, we made the whole wheat black bean crust with the quick italian tomato sauce. We loaded the pizza with spring mix greens, red cabbage, orange bell pepper, portobello mushrooms, and green peas. Then we topped it off with tofu and lemon sauce.

Yum yum yum YUM!!!! A deliciously delightful Saturday night treat :)  

We took pictures this time!! [Note: click on photo for larger version]

College Greens Photo of Pizza Before Topping Sauce

   

Just showing the veggie-licious toppings before we added the un-cheese sauce :)

College Greens Pizza w/ Tofu Lemon Topping

Fully prepared and cooked!!! READY TO EAT! yaaaaaaaaay :D

College Greens Pizza After Being Visciously Assaulted

Forty minutes later....

I don't know whether you saw or not, but Craig took a slice with him as his lunch the next day when he went hiking at Rickett's Glen. His friend took a picture of the half-eaten slice of pizza over the waterfall and I tagged you in the picture on facebook :)

Anyways, it was another weekend of plant-strong pizza yumfest!!! Thanks SO MUCH for letting us play around with this book, it's been so much fun and so deliciously scrumptious :) We plan to make at least one more pizza before doing the full review. But I don't think you have anything to worry about. We're already sold :)

Hugs, happies, healthies,

  Tara :)"

-----------

So cool!  I did tell them that plant-strong people are advised by the Engine2 Diet Team, and rightly so, to use tofu sparingly and as a treat as it's high in fat (and being processed, lacks fiber).  Regardless, I was intrigued by the toppings the students chose. Am very proud of their ingenuity and continued dedicated efforts to eat a healthy no-added oil plant-based diet. They are setting a high bar, but still taking the time to share the results (and their advice) with others.  Here's some of their articles.

After feeling a tad cantankerous with a recent birthday, it's refreshing to see such well-placed optimism, creativity, and joie de vivre!

Namaste... Mark

"I Dropped Dead..." A Surprising Book Review of Heart Healthy Pizza

I just read this review of my book while getting info from Amazon for a website wanting to sell it.  The first few words stunned me and I thought it was a gag or slam review.  It's legit, and I'm very gratified.  One of my key goals in writing "Heart Healthy Pizza" was to help people be/eat healthier.  How cool that it's been so useful to him!

"I dropped dead on a tennis court (and was lucky enough to be playing against a team with a cardiologist who did world class cpr for 12 minutes until a rescue squad arrived to shock me back to life). It took me about 30 seconds post-op from my bypass to adopt Caldwell Esselstyn's vegan cardiac disease reversal program. Though I ate a "good" diet most of the time, I was addicted to cheese pizzas for my whole (almost foreshortened) life. This book is a treasure. The visuals of the pizza are appetizing and valid relative to the finished product. The taste of the recipes I have undertaken is great. The nutrition is miraculous for a so-called comfort food. Thank you, Mark Sutton, for your tour de force collection of no oil vegan gourmet pizza. Incidentally, I run 10 k's, complete duathlons, and play USTA team tennis at the age of 64 on the Esselstyn diet." -- R.S.

"Heart Healthy Pizza Impresses..." Book Review by Bryanna Clark Grogan

"Heart Healthy Pizza Impresses... an amazing 100+ plant-based AND fat-free pizzas to please vegans who don't use oils and fats, and their (probably skeptical) families... I ask you-- does that pizza look good or what? It WAS good, and that is high praise from me, because I am very picky about pizza..."

Wow!  I'm so excited!  Bryanna Clark Grogan published her review of my cookbook ("Heart Healthy Pizza").  Her cookbooks have had such impact on me for over 2 decades. So proud. Her opinion means so much to me.

The Review is posted at:http://veganfeastkitchen.blogspot.com/2012/07/heart-healthy-pizza-impresses.html 

©2012 by Bryanna Clark Grogan