Easy Vegetable Focaccia

An excellent source of both vitamin A and C, this flavorful dish is just as fun to prepare as it is to eat. Can be served as midday snack, or as a mouthwatering, predinner appetizer.

Ingredients

  • 10-inch prebaked pizza crust*
  • 2 medium cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon each fresh or dried oregano and basil
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 16 ounces frozen oriental style vegetables (usually contains green beans, broccoli, onions, mushrooms and red pepper)
  • ½ cup finely chopped tomato
  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

*Chef's Note: Although prebaked seasoned pizza crusts are available in most grocery stores, check to see if local bakeries or pizzerias sell them. These are usually very fresh, freeze well and are baked with far less fat and calories.

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place rack on medium-high position. Remove pizza crust from packaging and place on round pizza pan or baking sheet. Warm pizza crust in oven for 3 minutes and then remove and hold. 

Combine garlic, olive oil, herbs and black pepper in food processor or blender and chop until fine. Stop processor if needed, scrape sides and then continue until mixture is somewhat smooth.

Spread mixture over entire surface of warm crust. Sprinkle lavishly with frozen vegetables and chopped tomato. Finish with grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled evenly over the top. Place in oven for about 6 to 9 minutes, until very hot.

Remove and cut into 8 even wedges and serve piping hot. May be cut into squares and served as an hors d’oeuvre as well.

Serves 4.

Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1/4 of recipe. 308 calories, 28 percent of calories from fat, 10.4 grams fat, 3 milligrams cholesterol, 554 milligrams sodium, 44 grams carbohydrate, 11 grams protein.

Recipe courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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