I’ve posted about pita pizzas before, but I just love them for quick meals, so here are two more recipes. This time, I made a vegetarian pizza for my friend Brandie, using caramelized balsamic onions, Morningstar Farms soy-based meatless crumbles, and sharp cheddar and pepper-jack cheeses. For me, I used caramelized onions, smoked turkey breast, and sharp cheddar and goat cheeses. Both were made on Toufayan’s Low-Carb white pitas, which crisp up well and are only 5g carbs per pita.

Onions do have natural sugars in them, giving them a carb count of roughly 5g carbs per 1/2 cup (raw), depending on the variety. However, they also have potassium and Vitamin C, and some studies suggest they can lower bad cholesterol too, so I try and include them in our low-carb diet. Caramelizing them brings out all their natural sweetness, while the balsamic vinegar gives them a hint of tart tang that is just delicious!

To make the caramelized onions, you’ll need:

1 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. olive oil
1 medium onion (I prefer sweet vidalia), sliced thinly
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tbsp. aged balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper
1-3 tbsp. water

Heat butter and olive oil on medium-high heat in skillet until butter is melted. Add onions, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste, and saute until onions begin to soften and turn translucent.

Add balsamic vinegar and 1 tbsp. water. Stir, then cover. Reduce heat to medium. Stir onions every once in a while, adding water as it cooks away until onions are very tender and golden brown. This should take about 15-20 minutes.

Assembling the pizzas is wonderfully easy. For the veg-friendly pizza, I layered slices of pepper-jack cheese on the bottom of the pita, and topped it with meatless crumbles, caramelized onions, and shredded cheddar:

For the goat cheese and turkey pizza, I layered shredded cheddar, sliced turkey breast, caramelized onions, and crumbled goat cheese:

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 5 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Then broil for 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye on them so the cheese browns but doesn’t burn. (The goat cheese won’t look like it has melted, but it will give if you touch it.)

The finished products:

Vegetarian “Meat” & Cheese

Turkey, Cheddar, & Goat Cheese

Both of these got great responses at dinnertime, and since they’re easy to whip up, they’re a great option for party food or anytime you don’t feel like “cooking.” Even Steve, who typically needs more hearty fare, approves of these, as evidenced by the fact that he ate his before I could get a shot of him and the food together!