Vegan Tapioca Base Pizza

Pizza is an international favorite, celebrated for its timeless combination of leavened bread, sauce, cheese, and assorted toppings. While traditionally delicious, pizza often gets criticized for being high in calories, carbohydrates, sodium, and sometimes cholesterol. However, you don't have to forgo this favorite—there are many ways to make pizza healthier, such as this vegan tapioca base pizza with wholesome toppings.

This vegan, gluten-free recipe offers a robust alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor. The special spunky tomato sauce features an elaborate mix of spices, while the vegan cheese adds an extra punch of flavor.

On the Sunday before our morning group meditation, I wanted to prepare something different for friends. Gazing out at the beautiful garden and contemplating what to serve, I saw the tall tapioca plants and decided, "That's it! A tapioca base pizza—a healthful alternative to white flour pizza dough!" I grabbed my hoe and dug out a few fresh, fully matured tapioca roots from the garden. My friends later remarked that in Brazil, pizza is usually a dinner affair, and I had broken tradition by serving an outstandingly healthy lunch pizza!

This tapioca pizza turned out so well that it has become a regular experiment in perfecting the freshly cooked tapioca dough base and uniquely spiced tomato sauce. When choosing a gluten-free alternative, you can opt for either a buckwheat base or a tapioca base. Both are gluten-free and low glycemic, yet nutritionally impressive. Buckwheat is rich in protein, fiber, vitamins B and K, and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

Though often taken for granted, tapioca is a staple in Africa and Asia and provided sustenance during challenging times like the Second World War. Ayurvedic practitioners even use tapioca leaves to brew a tea believed to benefit Alzheimer's patients. Tapioca roots are a prime source of zinc, iron, copper, manganese, and magnesium, with potassium playing a key role in regulating blood pressure and heart rate. Low in calories and beneficial for digestion, tapioca also helps prevent blindness due to its rich beta-carotene content.