Seriously – who doesn’t like pizza?  It’s great for parties, great for casual get-togethers, and it’s a dinner selection that everyone can agree on.  Pizza gets a bad rap for being high in calories and fat, but when you take matters into your own hands, you can turn everyone’s favourite junk food into a nutritious treat for the whole family. A great way to cut the not-so-goodness out of pizza is by replacing the usual oily deli meats with a lean protein like chicken.  Pre-cooked chicken breast is a great way to turn a basic pizza into a gourmet specialty while cutting the fat and calories, and it’s a great way to use up leftovers.  Add a lot of fresh veggies, and you can’t go wrong in the taste or nutrition department. Start with the dough – whole wheat and thin crust are great ways to add fibre and cut calories.  You can buy pre-made pizza dough, but it’s incredibly easy to make at home.

Easy Pizza Dough

• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Mix the wet ingredients with the yeast, and let stand for 5 minutes until the yeast is foamy.  Then, mix in the flour and salt, and knead until everything is incorporated.  Cover the dough loosely with a towel, and let stand for about an hour. Press it out thin with your palms or a rolling pin, and top with your favourite ingredients.  Tomato sauce is the old standby, but chicken goes especially well with pesto or a thin layer of your favourite barbeque sauce.  Add a bit of mozzarella or Friulano cheese, and bake at 450 degrees for about 12 - 15 minutes, and you’ve got a dinner that the family will love.