Indulge in a low-carb pizza and add a gin and tonic for fun

AUTUMN is making itself felt in Cape Town this week, so combine two of the best things in the world – pizza and gin – for a cosy dinner at home…and keep it low carb to boot.

KETO MUSHROOM PIZZA

Makes 1 large pizza

Ingredients 

Dough:

• 90g almond flour/ground almonds
• 125g mozzarella, grated
• (do not use pre grated mozzarella – it gets tossed with starch to keep it from sticking together and will prevent it from melting homogeneously) 
• 2 Tbsp cream cheese
• 1 large egg

Toppings:

• 125ml tomato purée 
• 1 tsp dried herbs 
• 1 tsp crushed garlic 
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 150g portabellini mushrooms, sliced 
• 100g mozzarella, grated 
• 1-2 Tbsp pickled jalapeños 
• 1 Tbsp baby capers 
• Salt and pepper, to taste 
• Handful fresh rocket, to serve 

Method

• Preheat oven to 200˚C, fan on. 
• For the dough, place the almond flour, mozzarella and cream cheese in a small saucepan over medium heat.  
• Heat and keep stirring with a firm spatula or wooden spoon until melted and well combined. 
• Remove from the heat and add the egg.
• Working quickly, stir until the egg has been incorporated and the dough is smooth. 
• Place the dough between 2 large pieces of baking paper.
• Roll out thinly into a ± 30cm pizza base. 
• Remove the top piece of baking paper and slide the dough onto a large baking tray. 
• Prick the base all over with a fork. 
• Bake for 8-9 minutes until golden.
• Carefully flip the base and bake for a further 2-3 minutes on the other side. 
• While the base is cooking combine the tomato puree, dried herbs and garlic in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and reduce until thickened. Season to taste. 
• Heat olive oil in a frying pan and cook the mushrooms until barely tender but not cooked through. Season lightly. 
• Spread the tomato sauce over the pizza base. 
• Sprinkle with mozzarella. 
• Top with mushrooms, capers and jalapeños. 
• Return to the oven and reduce the heat to 180˚C. 
• Cook until the cheese melts and is lightly golden brown. 
• Scatter with fresh rocket, black pepper and serve. 

Pairing suggestion: A Hope Gin & Tonic garnished with wedges of fresh lime.