By Rissa Miller

This pizza topped with loads of veggies, is highly customizable, and great for a couple, family, or friends to celebrate Valentine’s Day. It’s elegant enough to dress up with a glass of wine, and accessible enough to eat on the sofa with a movie.

Roasted Garlic:

1 head fresh garlic

1/2 teaspoon olive oil

Salt and pepper, optional, to taste

1/4 cup water

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Carefully slice off the top of the garlic head, leaving most of the papery skin intact. Rub cut top with olive oil and sprinkle with salt/pepper if using. Create a “bowl” with a sheet of aluminum foil to cradle the garlic and fill the bottom of the foil with water. Fold the top closed to seal in the garlic. Place packet in a small oven-safe baking dish and roast for 45-50 minutes, until the garlic is softened, browned, and caramelized. Allow to cool before handling. This can also be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge.

White Bean Pizza Spread:

1 head pre-roasted garlic, cooled

1-1/2 cups cooked white beans, rinsed/drained

1/2 cup fresh parsley

1/3 cup plain, unsweetened vegan yogurt

juice from 1 lemon

1 teaspoon olive oil or water

1 teaspoon ground rosemary

1 teaspoon cumin

Pinch red pepper flakes, optional, to taste

Salt and pepper, optional, to taste

1 large vegan pizza crust, your favorite (can be wheat or gluten-free, as desired)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Squeeze soft roasted garlic cloves from paper skins into a high-power blender or food processor and add all ingredients except pizza crust. Process on medium to high until smooth and silky. Evenly top the pizza crust with a layer of the White Bean Pizza Spread. 

Select 4-5 items from the Pizza Toppings list below and spread evening over the pizza, arranging as artfully as desired. Follow crust directions, if applicable, regarding whether or not to use a baking sheet for crust; brands vary. Bake pizza for about 8-10 minutes, until crust is cooked through and crisp, and veggies are soft and slightly browned. 

If desired, add 1-2 items from the Finishing Tastes list below. This step is optional, but gives the pizza an elevated complexity, for those who enjoy that kind of flavor.

Cut into slices and serve immediately.

Pizza Toppings, about 1/2 cup of each if using 4-5 items per pizza:

slivered carrots

sliced red onions

zucchini or yellow squash slices

roasted red peppers

chopped mushrooms

quartered artichoke hearts

sliced sun-dried tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes

chopped broccolini

fennel half-moons

fresh arugula

trimmed winter squash slices

Finishing Tastes, about 1 Tablespoon each if using 1-2 items per pizza:

a drizzle of balsamic vinegar

lemon juice

sunflower seeds

slivered fresh basil
chopped fresh dill

sliced olives

dried cranberries

chickpeas or black beans