Keto Pizza with Shrimp and Basil Pesto

For this Pizza Wednesday, I have a yummy seafood pizza recipe for you. Prepared with Shrimp and Basil Pesto this pizza is one of my favorites. The flavor combination is absolutely wonderful and if you have never had Pesto before, let me tell you it’s very different than marinara sauce. If you feel fresh Shrimp will be too expensive you can always use a frozen bag. Just make sure to count the number of pieces you will be using for the recipe and place the bag inside the freezer again (we don’t want the entire bag to thaw). 

Now if you are not on Keto diet, you can still use the toppings to create this delicious pizza whenever you want. You can make your own pizza base (follow my directions in the article: Homemade Pizza with Paneer, Tomato and Basil) or you can buy a readymade one. 

Once your pizza base is ready, generously spread the Basil Pesto on it, followed by the Shrimp, vegetables, cheese and seasoning. The pizza will be ready as soon as the cheese melts. 


Bon Appetit!

Ingredients for the Pizza base:

• Mozzarella Cheese - 1 ½ cups, shredded
• Cream Cheese - 1 ounce, cut into cubes
• Eggs – 2, large, beaten
• Coconut Flour – 1/3 cup 
• Red Pepper Flakes – ¼ teaspoon

Toppings:

• Basil Pesto Sauce (low carb) – ¼ cup (or as you like)
• Shrimp – 6-8 pieces, peeled and deveined
• Mozzarella Cheese – 1 cup, shredded
• Salt and Ground Black Pepper – to season (about ¼ teaspoon each)
• Butter – 1-2 tablespoons
• Onion – ¼ of a small onion, cut into small thick slices
• Mushrooms – 2, sliced
• Tomato – ¼, sliced

Others:

• Red Pepper Flakes
• Parchment Paper
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Non stick pan

Directions to bake the Pizza base:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. 
• Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper.
• Combine the Mozzarella Cheese and Cream Cheese in a microwave safe large bowl. 
• Microwave for 45 seconds, stir with a spatula. Then put it back and microwave for another 45 seconds. Stir again until everything is well combined. 
• Stir in the beaten Eggs, Red Pepper Flakes and Coconut Flour. The mixture will be hot so be very careful while kneading with your hands. You can use a rubber spatula (but I have found that the kneading is way easier if I am using my hands). 
• Knead until a dough forms. 

Tip: If the dough becomes hard before fully mixed, you can microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften it.

• Transfer the dough onto the lined baking pan and cover it with another piece of parchment (this will make the rolling much easier, otherwise it will stick on the rolling pin and your hands).
• Roll the dough using your hands or a rolling pin. Make sure to keep the center thin and the sides a little bit thick. Roll it into an 8-inch pizza base.

Tip: Make ahead – you can roll the dough and keep it covered in a cool dry place till you are ready to bake. 

• Use a fork to poke lots of holes throughout the crust to prevent bubbling.
• Bake for 6 minutes. Poke more holes in any places where you see bubbles forming. Bake for 3-7 more minutes, until golden brown (keep a watch on the pizza base while baking the second time, we don’t want it to get brown).
• Once the base is ready, let’s assemble our Pizza.

Directions to prepare the Toppings:

• While we are baking the pizza base, let’s prepare the toppings. Start by heating a nonstick pan over medium heat.
• Melt the Butter on it.
• Add the Shrimp with the Onion, Mushroom and Tomato slices, season with Salt and Black Pepper and sauté for 2-4 minutes until the Shrimps look pinkish in color.
• Switch off the heat and transfer the toppings to a bowl.

To assemble the Pizza:

• Spread the Basil Pesto Sauce generously on the pizza base. 
• Arrange the toppings (Shrimp, Onion, Mushroom and Tomato slices) in a single layer over it.
• Sprinkle the Mozzarella cheese (1 cup) over it. Sprinkle some more seasoning (if required).
• Return the pizza back to the oven for 5-7 more minutes or until the cheese is melted.
• Drizzle some Extra Virgin Olive Oil on the pizza and sprinkle some Red Pepper Flakes. Enjoy.

Tip: Seafood overcooks very fast, so it is important to keep an eye on the pizza. When the cheese has melted, switch off the oven and remove the pizza promptly.

Recommended Reading:

• Homemade Pizza with Paneer, Tomato and Basil
• Avocado Smoothie
• Avocado Strawberry Smoothie
• Keto Pizza with grilled Chicken and Shrimp
• Egg Drop Soup
• Tomato Basil Soup
• Keto Pizza with Pepperoni, Parmesan and Basil
• Cream of Asparagus Soup
• Buying and Preparing Shrimp
• Quick Weeknight Dinner - Shrimp Stir Fry
• Chingri Malai Curry (Shrimp Curry with Coconut Milk)
• Jalapeno Shrimp
• Spicy Shrimp and Zucchini Curry

Avocado Strawberry Smoothie

In my previous article - Avocado Smoothie, I suggested to use different types of extracts like Vanilla/ Coconut or Orange to enhance the flavor of the smoothie. However, I later discovered that berries are the only fruits allowed on Keto diet (again not to be consumed in a huge quantity), and I thought perhaps it will be better to add them in the smoothie. Suffice it to say that by doing so I not only satisfy my craving to consume fruit on a regular basis but also, the smoothie tastes delicious without adding any extracts. So let me present to you the recipe of: Avocado Strawberry smoothie. If you don’t like adding different types of extracts in your smoothie or don’t prefer to buy extracts at all then try this recipe. Since the avocados are dull on flavor, the strawberries give it a punch and color thus making it my favorite kind of recipe.

Ingredients:

• Avocado – ½ ripe, halved and pitted
• Whole Milk – 1 cup
• Yogurt – ½ cup
• Strawberries – 3-4, big, hulled

Now what does Pitted means:

• Pitted means to remove the seed. Avocado has a big seed and we can remove it by cutting the fruit in half lengthwise. Use a sharp chef's knife and slice through the avocado until you feel the knife hit the seed. Scoop out using a spoon.

And what is the meaning of Hulled?

• The green leafy top of the strawberry is called Hull. It is generally removed before cooking or serving. Since we will be using the strawberries in the smoothie we can cut them in small pieces to remove the hull.

Directions:

• Combine the Avocado, Whole Milk, Yogurt with the Strawberries and blend until smooth. If using Nutri Bullet use the extractor blade.
• The mixture will be thick but pourable. Taste and add some Stevia if you want it sweeter. 
• Serve in chilled glasses with straws.

Tips:

• If you are not on Keto diet, try the smoothie with a tablespoon of Honey. 
• If you like adding extracts then read my article - Avocado Smoothie.
• Always remember to wash the fruits before consuming.

Recommended Reading:

• Nutri Bullet – now cook gourmet foods whenever you want
• Pineapple and Banana Smoothie
• Avocado Smoothie
• Tandoori Chicken
• Butter Chicken (Indian Recipe: Chicken pieces in a creamy buttery gravy)
• Mughlai Kabab
• Grilled Salmon with Shrimp and Peppers
• Almond Flour Pancakes - Keto Brunch Recipes
• Yummy Almond Flour Bread with Ghee and Spices
• Grilled Lamb Kababs
• Guacamole with Goat Cheese and Bacon
• Keto Pizza with grilled Chicken and Shrimp
• Dhaba Wala Saag Chicken (Chicken in Spinach Curry Rustic Indian Style)
• Chocolate Ganache - Keto Dessert
• Keto Pizza with Pepperoni, Parmesan and Basil
• Butter Paneer (Indian Recipe: Fresh Cheese in a creamy buttery gravy)
• Keto Pizza with Shrimp and Basil Pesto
• Mushroom Salad with Fried Eggs
• Un-Sweet Tea
• Loknath wali Meethi Lassi (Sweet Yogurt based drink)
• Strawberry Banana Smoothie
• Yummy Guacamole