Monday, December 12, 2011

REVIEW: Nature's Highlights GF Pizza Crust



I've been hunting for a good GF pizza crust. One that didn't leave my eye twitching and my nose itching, that didn't gum up as I ate it, and that didn't leave me feeling like I'd eaten a ball of dough an hour after I ate.

I picked up a box of 2 Nature's Hilights brand Brown Rice Pizza Crusts the other day at the health food store. I made one of them last night and so far they have been the best option I have found.

They cost just over $6 for a pack of 2 crusts. I ate a whole one, though I could have stretched it out to two meals if I had something to eat besides just pizza the other night.
 
The instructions say to defrost first, but I put the frozen crust in the oven while my family's pizza was baking and followed the instructions after that and it turned out great!

It's not a "thick crust", but it's not exactly a thin crust pizza either. Once assembled, I baked it on the oven rack and it turned out wonderfully crispy on the edges and not very gummy in the middle (I could have baked it a bit longer to fix the slight gumminess in the middle--now I know for next time).

The toppings I used to make my pizza this time were: 2 cubes of Basil from my freezer, olive oil, a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheese, and nearly a whole 8oz package of fresh sliced mushrooms sauteed with some sliced onion and a large clove of garlic, sliced, and a sprinkling of sea salt. YUMMY!


Ingredients on the crust are listed as: Whole Grain Brown Rice, Potato. Since there is a simple ingredient list and no yeast, I think this might be a possible corn-free product. At any rate, due to the simple ingredient list, I would classify this as a Real Food.

The company doesn't have a website as far as I can find, but they do have the following contact info:
Nature's Hilights, Inc.
P.O. Box 3526
Chico, CA 95927
1-800-313-6454

12/30/11 Note: Based on others' experience with this crust, you might want to overcook the crust/pizza a bit (longer than the instructions on the box suggest to minimize the "gummy" factor). Do watch it closely, though, so it doesn't burn!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I bought these crusts yesterday. I baked them for 5 minutes prior to using just as instructed, and then topped them with pizza sauce, toppings, and cheese. When they came out, the crust was so gummy and disgusting tasting I could not even eat the pizza. I am throwing both pizzas away because the crust is so gummy it sticks to my teeth and tastes gross on top. DO NOT BUY THESE!!

Tanya said...

I'm sorry you had a negative experience with this pizza crust.
I did mention a slight gumminess in my post and suggested cooking for a bit longer to crisp it up. If you've not already thrown the other crust away, I would suggest trying it again and cooking it a bit longer or at a higher temp.
It's not "the perfect pizza crust", but it's the best one I have found so far that doesn't make me feel ill afterwards.
Have you tried any that are better? I'd love to hear about it!
Blessings,
Tanya

Anonymous said...

I put a layer of shredded cheese down pop it back in oven and let it melt. it prevents the sauce from getting to the crust. Never had a soggy crust.

annm said...

We tried it tonight and loved it. It reminds us a bit of mochi, pounded sweet brown rice, which we have liked for years. I much prefer crust made from whole grains than flour. It was not gummy at all. Just used some pizza sauce (Eden Foods) and grated mozzarella on top. Did not defrost first and it cooked just right. I can have pizza now!!

Tanya said...

I'm glad you had a good experience with it!
Here's to pizza! :)

Anonymous said...

I am allergic to gluten, eggs and yeast & I can eat this! Such a relief to finally found a crust I can have. Follow the instructions closely. Sometimes I don't mind a more chewy crust so try it out. What other people called gummy I called chewy.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this crust...but cook it very dif... First I bake it for about 10 min on 450-500 degrees ( really crispy) then I add the toppings and broil it until the cheese is golden brown... LOVE IT!

with a Trace said...

Hey! We bought these to try them out....simple ingredients....and absolutely LOVE them...we bought a box on Sunday...made it as followed....put some fresh pressed garlic...fun organic spaget sauce....onion...bell peppa...and fetta....as fetta is betta..(goat that is)....and fell in love...had it the following M/T/W....took a few days off...and we have a stockpile in freezer...almost every night...I could go on and on....I'd make a grrrreat salesperson for this...cuz this stuff "Rocks"..it's the "Best...Jerry the Best"....as I'm enjoying a few pieces the p.m.....just olive oil, shredded pieces of basil, kalamata olives...hot mamas peppers..and of course the fetta....oooh baby...what's not to love....SOLD...SOLD..to the woman in her leopard print robe in Seattle...LOL....and hellooo...yesindeed...I'm telling everyone I know and love ...about it......ok...breathe.....