Pizza Pockets - Done Healthy & Delicious

Delicious and Healthy Pulse Pizza Pockets | YummyMummyClub.ca

Did you know that 2016 has been named the “International Year of the Pulse” by the United Nations?

It’s true-and for good reason. Pulses are peas, beans, chickpeas and lentils and they are all amazingly good for you. They are MADE for meatless Monday and an excellent alternative when you're looking for something to spice up your weekly meal plan. I love all pulses but sometimes it’s a hard sell for kids. Hummus can slip by; peas are fun to push around the plate, but beans? I don’t know too many kids that are crazy about beans.

Here’s how I get the goodness into them. Sometimes you have to be sneaky!

PULSE...I mean PIZZA POCKETS!

pizza pocket made healthy | YummyMummyClub.ca

The base of these delicious baked bites is beans! And the kids have no idea. Try them and enjoy. I made my own dough here (don’t worry-there’s no yeast or rising involved) but if you’re not feeling up to it, did you know most pizza places will sell you their dough? Just ask! And make sure you get the whole wheat/multigrain variety.

The filling is where the magic happens-and it’s so versatile! You can make these into any flavor you want.

Ingredients

DOUGH:

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 tsp baking powder

Pinch salt

½ cup milk (or water but it will be less soft)

Mix together. Roll out as thin as possible without the dough breaking. Using a wide-mouth glass, make circles about 3 inches wide. Should make 8-10 circles depending on thickness. Feel free to double it up for a whole can of bean filling. I’ve given you my two favourite options, but you could be really creative here! Put in whatever your kids like!

FILLING

1 can white kidney beans

Using a fork or potato masher, smush them up until they’re as pureed as possible.

Pizza Filling

½ can of the mashed white beans

½ cup tomato sauce

½ cup mozzarella cheese

½ cup whatever toppings your kids usually like on pizza

Spinach Feta Filling

½ can of the mashed white beans

A huge handful spinach, lightly wilted, drained and chopped

¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled

½ red onion, finely diced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375.

Take a tablespoon of filling and place it in the centre of the circle of dough, wet the edges of the dough with water and pinch the edges so they’re completely sealed.

Place on a parchment sheet covered baking sheet. Repeat until the sheet is full (about ten pockets) or there is no more filling!

Bake for 15 minutes, flip and bake another 5-10.

Let cool for 5-10 minutes and enjoy!

pizza pocket