Ever had a hummus pizza? I’ve mentioned this idea to several people and the reaction I usually get is, “Huh. That sounds…interesting.” Don’t be a hater, folks. Hummus pizza is delicious! You put hummus on pita bread, crackers and sandwiches, so why not on pizza crust? I guarantee you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Homemade harissa hummus serves as the “sauce” for this delectable pizza. Dollops of mild ricotta add creaminess, and veggies like bell peppers, onions and roasted broccolini incorporate tons of color. Seriously, what’s not to love? Prepare to fulfill your pizza hankering without feeling an ounce of guilt the next day. There will be enough hummus leftover as well if you want to be boring and eat it with carrots.

INGREDIENTS

• Pizza crust

• Broccolini, whole

• Red bell pepper, diced

• Red onion, diced

• Low-fat ricotta cheese

• 2 cans chickpeas

• 1/3 c. olive oil

• 2 T. harissa (add more to make it spicier)

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 t. cumin

• Juice of one lemon

• Salt & pepper, to taste

STEPS

1) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Toss the broccolini in a bit of olive oil and season with salt & pepper. Roast in the oven for 10 minutes.

2) Combine the chickpeas, olive oil, harissa, chili paste, garlic cloves, cumin and lemon juice in a food processor and season with salt & pepper. Blend until smooth.

3) Spread a layer of hummus onto the pizza crust and top with dollops of ricotta. Sprinkle on the diced bell pepper and onion and add the broccolini pieces.

4) Increase the oven temperature to 425 and cook the pizza until crispy, about 20 minutes.