Recipe :: Black Bean Pizza

Tired of braving the cold to meet up with friends for dinner?  Rather than hibernating, invite a few friends over and serve this quick and delicious pizza.  The spicy salsa will warm you up, and your friends will enjoy eating this healthy, protein-packed pizza in the comfort of your home.

Serve with a simple salad of torn romaine, cucumbers and grape tomatoes, topped with cilantro vinaigrette (olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lime juice, dijon mustard, garlic and fresh cilantro), to round out the meal.

Black Bean Pizza 

1 package refrigerated or frozen whole wheat pizza dough, defrosted*
1 8oz jar medium salsa (Newman’s Own is a good choice)
1 C. shredded chipotle cheddar cheese (Cabot brand) or pepper jack cheese
1 15oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 Tbs. cornmeal (optional)

1.     Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Spray pizza stone with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil.  If you are using cornmeal sprinkle it on the pizza stone.  Stretch pizza dough to fit the pizza stone.   

2.     Top pizza dough with 1 jar salsa, spreading the salsa around the dough with the back of a spoon, leaving a 1/2 inch border for the crust.  Scatter the rinsed black beans over the salsa.  Top with shredded cheese. 

3.     Place the pizza on the middle rack in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, until the bottom of the crust is golden brown.   

4.     Remove from oven and let the pizza cool for 2-3 minutes.  Using a pizza cutter, slice into 8 pieces.

*Many grocery stores carry whole wheat pizza dough, including Wholefoods, Hannaford and Trader Joe’s.  You can substitute regular white dough, which is available at most grocery stores or at your local pizzeria.