There is a misconception that gluten free = healthy.  That simply isn’t true.  Especially when it comes to processed, pre-packaged gluten free products.  These products often contain other fillers to take the place of gluten.   I only recommend following a gluten free diet if you have a medical condition that requires it.  Having said that, there are many people who do need to avoid gluten, mostly due to allergies and intolerances.

Common foods like pizza and garlic bread are not allowed in a gluten free diet due to the wheat in the dough.  So, I came up with a gluten free quinoa crust that could be used for pizza or cheesy garlic ‘bread’.

To make this quinoa crust, start by rinsing the uncooked quinoa in a fine mesh strainer.  This will wash away some of the powdery residue that often tastes a little bitter.  Then, let the quinoa simmer in a little olive oil in a stock pot to develop a toasty flavor.  Once toasted, add water to the pot, cover, and simmer until cooked.

Once the quinoa is cooked, remove the lid and continue to cook it over low heat for another five minutes.  This will evaporate any excess moisture, preventing a soggy crust.

Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl and let it cool for 10 minutes.

In a separate bowl, whisk together some eggs, olive oil, garlic salt, dried oregano, dried basil, and baking powder.  The baking powder will start to react as soon as it is added to this mixture.  So, don’t mix these ingredients until you are prepared to make the dough.

Once the quinoa has cooled, stir in some shredded Italian-blend cheese.  Then, add the egg mixture and stir to combine.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray.  Pour the dough onto the parchment.

Use your hands to spread the dough into an even, 1/4 inch layer.  You could form it into a circle if you want to make pizza.  I made garlic bread.  So, I spread the dough into a 10 x 7 inch rectangle.

Put the dough into a preheated 425 degree oven for 18-20 minutes.  The edges should turn golden brown.  Add whatever toppings you like.  Then, return it to the oven for 5 minutes.

To make cheesy garlic bread, I added 1/2 cup shredded Italian-blend cheese to the crust.  Then, served it with pizza sauce for dipping.

You could also top the crust with pizza sauce, shredded cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings.

Let your pizza, or garlic bread, cool for at least five minutes before slicing.