Polenta Crust Pizza, naturally gluten free

posted on: Thursday, November 18, 2010

In the mornings, because the kids wake up at 6:00am, because of the stupid time change, and because Christian is surfing, we lounge in our PJs and read cookbooks together until it is time for Enzo to go to school.  Enzo points to pictures and quickly passes judgment "delicious!" "yucky!"  It's all about the pictures. So then I read him the title and he'll either say "yay" or "nay".  A couple weeks ago I received the book Clean Start by Terry Walters and Enzo has judged all the recipes "delicious."




 Here's the thing. All the recipes are gluten free and vegetarian. She encourages you to buy local and eat what's in season. The best part is that not only do the recipes look delicious they also seem totally doable.


So we made polenta pizza using produce from the farmer's market.
Here's the other thing, we adore meat, cheese, and wheat in this tiny family. But just because we buy a 50lb. bag of flour on a regular basis doesn't mean we can't try new things.

I've been wanting to try out more gluten free recipes. After hanging out with Luise and David I'm inspired to make healthier recipes. I'm not saying I'm going to radically change my diet and give up on funnel cakes, I'm just saying that there is so much information and recipes on gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan, diets I think it's good to step out of my deep fried comfort zone and try something new.

Making polenta pizza with the kids was new.

Baby Maria tried to eat all the tomatoes before I even had a chance to get them on the pizza. I just smile. I have been a tomato aficionada since I can remember, looks like we have another tomato lover in the house. I have to say she's way cuter at eating tomatoes than I ever was.


Making polenta is easy. Bring 3 cups vegetable broth to a boil. Then turn off the stove and quickly stir 1 1/2 cups corn meal and 2 tablespoons olive oil. I also added salt, garlic, and Italian seasoning. You can add whatever kind of seasoning you like. Then spread the polenta on a tart pan or a spring form pan and bake at 350* for 30 minutes. This is really important because you want your crust to be somewhat dried out so that when you put your toppings it will hold it's form and not become polenta mush. After you bake the crust add tomato sauce and whatever kind of toppings you like. I wanted to go for something fresh and healthy, so I went for spinach, pumpkin, goat cheese, and tomatoes. Then I baked for an additional 15 minutes. I was thrilled with the end result. It was super delicious. Baby Maria ate all the tomatoes even when they were hot. Then she made her way through the rest of the pizza, topping by topping.

I've decided that polenta pizza is great for kids, specially kids who only have 7 teeth. I noticed that Baby Maria had a much easier time eating polenta crust, then flour crust. The polenta crust is soft and the corn meal just melts in your mouth. She is also a huge fan of vegetables (yeah, we'll see how long that lasts) and it's fun for her to have a colorful selection on top of her pizza. She uses her little chubby fingers to pick each topping off one by one.


Enzo on the other hand was on the crusty side because he wanted his individual polenta cheese pizza to be bigger. He loved the crust and was sad when he took his last bite. But seriously Enzo, go wipe that frown of your face! And Baby Maria...never mind...I'm just glad you're mine.

40 comments:

  1. What a lovely post :)
    They are just adorable, even with his frown. And your little tomato monster, I just have to smile.
    I'm really going to try this recipe (without cheese for our youngest) It looks so nice, I can almost smell it. yammie

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  2. Such sweet photos. And I love how you are encouraging your kids to like every aspect of loving food, the pictures, the discussion about what to make & of course the farmers' market & eating the tomatoes.

    Maria & Enzo are themselves most delicious. Especially with seedy face & frown face.

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  3. I haven't ever had polenta before but I'm super curious to try it as a pizza base. And I love that you read cookbooks with your kids in the morning -- that's such a cute idea!! And I need to get my hands on this cookbook. It's looking too good to resist.

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  4. I just want to tell you that your kids are seriously cute- frown, tomato seeds, and all;).

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  5. Oh, I am totally making this, what a great recipe, thanks! Love your photos, by the way, as usual.

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  6. First of all, aww!! How cute they read cookbooks, and I understand about the time change, baby Madison wakes up at 6 now too! I have a friend who is gluten free, I love this idea and can't wait to surprise her! And the fact that baby Madison can probably eat this with her 2 teeth is a bonus!!

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  7. Linsey- love your comments by the way, as usual!

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  8. so cute! lovely lovely photos. this looks seriously yummy.

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  9. i love that you read cookbooks to your kids - especially that one - it's a great one!

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  10. Oh those kids make me smile! -and your story! How cozy to read cookbooks in the early morning <3 Lovely recipe and I know 2 who would definitely loooove this pizza! So next time we stay somewhere with an oven i'm making this. Thanks Da!

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  11. Love this! I wonder if you can make it with farinha...like a pirao? I might have to try that some time! And I can't say it enough: Baby Maria is the cutest thing! xoxo

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  12. great pizza and adorable snaps of your kids sounds like me in the morning with my daughter!

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  13. I love this post. I love that you're bringing more bebeloo and more life with kids into Kitchen Corners... It makes me oh so happy. And the photos! And the adorable children! When do I get to meet them and shower them with love? Tell me. Love and polenta, steph

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  14. Just found your blog. Your kids are gorgeous and your food looks delicious!! I can't wait to try some of your recipes :)

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  15. You know I'm crazy about seeing your kids and how much you love them. I just loved the photos in this post -- especially all those tomato seeds. Too cute!

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  16. What beautiful children! I am so impressed that your little one likes tomatoes - it took me being a grown up before I did! The polenta pizzas look wonderful! A nice change from the regular crust. Your toppings are delicious and creative.

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  17. So honored to be part of your special time with your children! Wishing you and your whole family much delicious, clean nourishment!

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  18. Oh, I love the sound of polenta pizza! Yours looks fabulous. The kids are too adorable!

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  19. ooo I'm definitely going to try this one as Irecently discovered that I'm gluten intolerant. Will also look in to that book, in an non-Amazon way ;-)

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  20. Love that little tomato faced cutie!!

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  21. I love this post. I want one of those cookbooks for Christmas. Maria is so cute. She and Lilikoi are two peas in a pod. Lilikoi was covered in tomatoes seeds tonight too.

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  22. What a creative way to use polenta! I actually love the taste of polenta but sort of got in a rut in thinking of ways to use it. I really like the idea of turning it into a pizza crust, and mixing goat cheese with polenta always gives it a really nice, creamy flavor. Your kids are soo adorable btw - loved the pictures of Maria eating the tomatoes! :) Great post!

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  23. Your kids are so gosh darn cute! They grow up so fast. Anyway, I have never had polenta and am now intrigued.

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  24. That pizza looks so good! We buy flour in 50-pound bags, too, but now you have me craving a polenta crust. :)

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  25. fabulous idea! my baby loves tomatoes too!

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  26. Damaris,
    Tudo bem? Amazing blog! Your kids are cute. I love a good 'angĂș' turned into pizza it is even more appetizing and creative. I am going to try your recipe soon.
    Are we neighbors? I am in the Bay Area.
    Cheers!
    Heguiberto

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  27. We are neighbors. I am in San Francisco :)

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  28. terry walters is a GENIUS. i have her first cookbook, "CLEAN FOOD" and have LOVED every single recipe of hers. love, love, love it!

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  29. Heguiberto- We're hanging out soon and cooking up some Brazilian food. Pode ser?

    Holly- you'll LOVE this new book. it's beautiful.

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  30. Sounds like a plan! How exciting discovering more Brazilians in Northern Cali.
    H

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  31. great idea to have it this way and save a few calories from the frying bit!

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  32. These photos seriously just melted my heart! Gosh I just adore your blog, in case I haven't told you lately, you should know! Thanks for the fabulous recipe idea!
    xo tash

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  33. i dont think ive ever seen more adorable baby pictures. truly your kids are so cute. i hate tomatoes as a young thing and only recently learned to like them so baby maria has a leg up on me. terry walters is the best. i have her clean food cookbook (the first one she came out with i think?) and i love love love it. happy weekend!

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  34. Hahah your children are so cute! I will have to get that cookbook, it sounds really interesting! I find it so incredible that polenta is so versatile, great ingredient!

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  35. Oh my word! Your kids are beautiful! And polenta pizza sounds delicious. I might have to give that a whirl.

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  36. I love how you look at cookbooks with your kids. I should try that with Beli. hmmm Polenta. I have only had it a few times but not in pizza form. it does look delicious. Your kids are too darn cute and you are good at sharing recipes and I love your photos. You make it seem so easy! (kids, family, cooking, blogging)

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  37. Wow. The food, the bubbas, the photography. Enzo has the coolest hair ever and the most amazing colour eyes. Are they green? Hazel? And Maria. Sigh. I know you know how cute she is. But I think I need to tell you anyway. She is ridulous.

    I need this book. Im supposed to follow a gluten free diet which is trickier here than in Oz. The only place Ive seen this book for sale is the dreaded Amazon. Do you know of any stores which ship to Germany?
    x
    Btw. Reading cookbooks together? Your kids are so lucky to have you as their mum.

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  38. Thans everyone for the nice comments. I love reading cook books with my kids because "the little red engine that could" or the "cat in the hat" kind of gets old. They're classics but it gets old.

    Bianca- I will be happy to ship it to you if you want. It really is a great book!

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  39. Polenta pizza, what an innovative idea!

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