Grilled Cilantro Pesto Pizza with Mango, Avocado & Sweet Corn

It’s pizza night! If you have never grilled pizza, you are in for a treat. Grilling pizza is easy and so so yummy! I am also excited about the cilantro kale pesto recipe I concocted in the making of this pizza J

Have fun and enjoy!

Grilled Cilantro Pesto Pizza with Mango, Avocado & Sweet Corn

Ingredients

• 1 Whole Wheat Pizza Dough (Trader Joe’s has a good one)
• ½ recipe Kale Pesto (see recipe below)
• ½ avocado, sliced
• ½ mango, sliced
•  ¼ cup canned sweet corn, drained and rinsed
• ¼ cup cilantro leaves
• 2 tsp avocado oil (for brushing pizza crust)

Preparation Instructions

1. Work pizza dough into thin crust. Don’t worry about shape. Ours turned into a crazy oblong but that’s what makes it creative and fun!
2. Grill mango slices over medium heat (directly on grill) and set aside. This will take about 2 minutes per side, or until grill marks appear. We burnt ours a bit but it was still very tasty!
3. Brush one side with 1 tsp avocado oil, then place oiled side down directly onto a preheated grill on medium heat.
4. Let cook for 5-7 minutes, brush top side with 1 tsp avocado oil and flip. Cook for 5-7 more minutes.
5. Spread kale pesto onto crust then top with grilled mango, avocado, sweet corn and cilantro.
6.  Cut and eat!

Shaping pizza dough

Brushing leaves off of cilantro bunch

Mango after grilling... a bit overdone on our end!

Rinse and drain

The finished product

Cilantro Kale Pesto

Ingredients

• 1 small bunch kale (2 cups steamed)
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 cup cilantro leaves
• 1/3 cup avocado oil
• Lemon juice & zest from 1 lemon
• 2 cloves garlic
• Salt to taste

Preparation Instructions

1. Remove stems from kale, chop and steam slightly.
2. Brush 1 cup leaves off of cilantro.
3. Add all ingredients to food processor and blend until smooth.

Fuel Facts

Numbers: 494 calories, 12 g protein, 44 g fat, 63 g carbs, 10 g fiber

**For ¼ pizza (~2 slices depending on the shape of your pizza)

Ingredient Breakdown:

v Whole Wheat – Unlike processed white flour, whole-wheat flour still contains the bran and the germ of the grain, which provides fiber, and nutrients that white flour is lacking. Wheat is a one of the crops most genetically modified in the United States, so whenever possible, look for products that state non-GMO.

v Avocado – You may have heard that avocados are a good source of “healthy” fats. This is absolutely correct. But what makes them healthy? The fats in avocado are largely made up of phytosterols and oleic acid. Phytosterols are integral to the function of our body’s inflammatory response, making them a natural anti-inflammatory. Avocados have been found beneficial particularly in the management of arthritis. Oleic acid (omega-9), also found in olive oil, is a monounsaturated fatty acid touted for reducing the risk of breast cancer and heart disease.

v Mango – The polyphenolic antioxidants in this tropical fruit have been found to protect against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancer. Mango is also high in vitamins A and C, aiding vision and boosting the immune system.

v Corn – Look for non-GMO varieties if possible. Corn is one of the three most genetically modified crops (wheat and soy are the other two). Corn is a good source of fiber and carotenoids.  

v Cilantro – The leaves produced by the coriander seed are what we know as cilantro. In other countries they may even refer to cilantro as coriander leaves.  Although coriander and cilantro come from the same plant, their flavors of very different. Many of their healing properties, however, are the same. Cilantro, like coriander, is also extremely dense in phytonutrients, which lend themselves to antioxidant activity in the body. Other potential benefits of the herb include reduced anxiety, better sleep quality and lowered blood sugar.

v Avocado Oil – This is a fantastic oil to use for roasting or cooking at high temperatures.  Avocado oil has a smoke point of 500 degrees F, higher than most other oils. Due to this, the oil will withstand chemical transformations that can occur when oil reaches its smoke point, changing once healthy oil into one that is full of trans fats. It is important to note that virgin avocado oils, as all oil that have not been filtered or refined, have lower smoke points, so make sure you are buying 100% pure avocado oil. 

v Kale – You won’t here me use the word “super” food very often, because I believe all foods contribute their own, unique healing powers. That being said, if there was one food to eat more of, it would be kale. Studies continue to show kale’s ability to lower the risk for cancer, prevent inflammation and even act as a detoxifier at the genetic level. Bottom line… eat more kale.

v Walnuts – These are the only nuts that are a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids, containing 2.5 grams per ounce. Strong evidence exists to support the role of omega 3 fatty acids in lowering the risk for heart disease and preventing inflammation. A number of studies have also found benefits in relation to mood, brain function and healthy skin.

v Lemon/Lime – High in the antioxidant vitamin C, lemons and limes, help oxidize free radicals in the body. In addition, the juice enhances the flavors of other foods and the fruit will keep up to four weeks in the fridge.