Rice-Crust Pizza #1 (Gluten-Free)

This recipe comes to us from Mireille Cote.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
1 cup coarsely grated carrots
3 tsp. minced fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried basil
½ cup gluten-free cottage cheese
2 ½ cups cooked brown rice
1/3 cup gluten-free flour mix
1 cup canned tomato sauce
2 Tbsp. finely chopped onions
1 ½ (6 oz.) cups shredded gluten-free mozzarella cheese

For the crust, place the carrots in a strainer. Place unopened can of fruit or vegetables on top to squeeze the excess liquid from the carrots. Let drain for 20 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels.

In a large bowl, stir together the cottage cheese, flour, onions, and 1 ½ teaspoons of the fresh basil or ½ teaspoon of he dried basil. Then stir in the carrots and cooled rice.

Spray a 13x 9 baking pan with no-stick spray. Spread the crust mixture in the bottom and about ¼-inch up the sides of the pan. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. Then broil 4 inches from the heat about 2 minutes or until the crust is browned, without burning the carrots.

Spread the tomato sauce on the crust and top with the cheese.* Then sprinkle with the remaining 1 ½ teaspoons of fresh basil or ½ teaspoon dried basil. Bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and light brown. Slice and serve.

*To jazz up this pizza, scatter 1 cup of chopped cooked vegetables over the tomato sauce. Sprinkle with the cheese and bake as directed. Broccoli, artichoke hearts, carrots, cauliflower, peppers, onions, and mushrooms are good choices. Makes 8 servings.