Sausage, Manchego, and Caramelized Onion Pizza

Healthy eating isn't just about fat or sugar or calories. While I recognize that as Americans (myself included- I don't have a pretty history) we eat entirely too many sweet and fattening foods, becoming healthier doesn't mean eliminating them from your diet. I live by two (main) rules of healthy eating: eat less and eat quality. Eating less means smaller meals, smaller portions, smaller consumption of fat and sugar. Eating quality means eating real food. Both are harder than you'd think. Quality eating has a lot of implications.

Before starting this blog I made a resolution to give up all the processed and unnatural foods in my diet. Pretty much anything that comes in a box, pre-made. If I wanted a bean burrito or BBQ chicken pizza, I was going to have to learn to make it. Goodbye to frozen dinners, canned soups, shrink-wrapped snacks, and vending machine garbage (and all of the junk that's infused into them). A little inconvenient? Yeah, at first. But my body has been thanking me and after a while you get used to it. Planning, shopping for, and preparing meals becomes just another part of your life. One you might even look forward to. Because real food tastes better. No contest.

So what do I eat? Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy (to include lots of yogurt and cheeses), primarily whole grains, and poultry, fish, shrimp, and lean beef. Sometimes pork, occasionally sausage. But always good quality (local and organic when possible, nitrate free) and never in excess. I don't do low fat. If I want a low fat meal, I'm going to skip the butter or mayonnaise. But when I want mayonnaise, I go for the real deal. Low-fat versions of most things (besides milk and yogurt) have been chemically altered to make them that way. Plus, who are we kidding, you can taste the difference!

Luckily, there's no need to completely eliminate pleasureful foods from your life. With exercise and activity there is room for the occasional treat! And thankfully, the principles of healthy eating don't (haven't and never will) change. Fruit, vegetables, lean dairy and protein have always and will always be good for you. Save decadent sweets for special occasions. Once a week I treat myself to dessert. And I keep small snacks on hand for those moments when I just have to munch on something (dried fruit and nuts, lightly seasoned popcorn, peanut butter, etc.)

When I indulge, I don't worry about it too much. Life is about balance. If you have a particularly caloric-dense day, lighten up the next. Balance out your meals as well. Whenever I make pizza (such as this sausage-studded one), I serve it with a huge side salad dressed in a light vinaigrette. Oh, and please skip the soda! Water is your friend.

This pizza was delicious. Manchego is my favorite cheese and caramelized onions make everything a little sweeter (notice no sugar added- but still incredibly sweet)! It takes a little bit of work, but wow was the result worth it. Like I mentioned above, best served with a tossed green salad and light vinaigrette.

INGREDIENTS
1 recipe pizza dough
2 very large red onions (or 4 med-small onions)
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 oz. sweet Italian pork sausage
8 oz. Manchego cheese, grated

DIRECTIONS
1. Prepare pizza dough according to recipe directions.

2. To caramelize the onions, preheat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, for 30-40 minutes until the onions and soft of golden brown. Add the balsamic vinegar and stir to coat. Continue cooking another 5-10 minutes until they are completely caramelized. Set aside to cool.

3. Meanwhile, preheat a separate large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, breaking it into chunks and stirring frequently, until browned. Drain and set aside to cool.

4. Preheat oven and pizza stone to 450 F.

5. Prepare the crust according to recipe directions. Top with a thin layer of the Manchego, the caramelized onions, sausage, and the remaining cheese.

6. Bake in preheated oven for about 10 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling. Remove from the oven and let sit several minutes before slicing.

Makes 1 large pizza.

(Adapted from Bon Appetit)