A Lenten Take Out Fake Out

TGIF!!!

Today was a great day. It started with me feeling 90% better. I figured out that I have been suffering from allergies. I have no idea what has triggered my allergy symptoms, but I am on the right meds now and now feeling human.

We also had a half day of work due to the wacky weather. All I have to say is that this girl has loved working only 2 1/2 days this week, especially when trying to recover from lack of sleep and trying to get back in the flow of my routine. With my extra time today I was able to create a new recipe that is so tasty I could not wait to share it. I was inspired by both Joanne from Eats Well With Others who made a very yummy Southwestern Pizza and Biz from Biggest Diabetic Loser who creates a different pizza every weekend. Thanks for the foodie inspiration ladies

I needed to create a pizza tonight that went beyond the the typical meat-free vegetable pizza. I remember last year my husband had a pizza that had shrimp on it from Pizzeria Uno and I thought how odd that was. That was until I had a bite and I was completely sold. Tonight I decided to re-invent this great pizza creation that was a nice Friday Night Gluten Free Lenten Treat. I will warn you this is not figure friendly

Mom on the Run’s Jambalaya Pizza

Ingredients:

For Spicy Cheese Base:

5 tablespoons of butter (I used Earth Balance)

4 tablespoons of Flour (I used Gluten Free Flour)

2 cups of milk or milk substitute (I used soy)

2 tbsp of Cajun Seasoning

8 oz of Jalapeno Cheese (I used the reduced fat block)

Pizza Crust (I used a pre-made Gluten Free Crust that I found at Whole Foods- Against the Grain)

1 pound of peeled and divined Shrimp

1 tbsp of butter

1 large Red Bell Pepper Chopped into Bite Sized Pieces

1/2 cup of Cheddar Shredded Cheese

Preparation:

In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium-low heat until melted.

Add the flour and stir until smooth. Over medium heat, cook until the mixture turns a light, golden sandy color, about 6 to 7 minutes.

 Add the milk to the butter mixture 1 cup at a time, whisking continuously until very smooth. Bring to a boil. Cook 10 minutes, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.

Add cheese chunks. Whisk until cheese is melted. Season cheese mixture with Cajun seasoning, and set aside until ready to use.

As cheese sauce is cooking, prepare shrimp.

Add 1 tbsp of butter to a skillet on medium heat.

Add garlic and mix consistently so that garlic does not burn.

 
Add shrimp to butter/garlic mixture and cook through until shrimp is pink and opaque about 5-8 minutes. Remove shrimp for heat.

I may or may not have added a little bit of white wine for an extra kick

Time to prepare the Pizza:

Start by spreading cheese sauce on the pizza crust.

 

Place Shrimp on top of cheesy layer.

Top Shrimp with Red Bell Peppers.

Add a layer of cheddar cheese.

Place finished pizza into a hot 400 degree oven. Let pizza cook until crust is golden brown and cheese has melted.

Slice pizza and enjoy!

This pizza was so delicious. The cheese sauce bottom layer added flavor to the shrimp and peppers. I will also have to say that the crust was soooo good! Most people probably would not have known it was Gluten-Free.

Time to start my weekend. My plans include laundry, gym, making my weekly menu, and getting through the many magazines that have come to my mailbox this week.

What is your favorite foodie or healthy living magazine?