East Meets West Veg

Buddy's Pizza Carry-Out Location

Buddy's Tuscan Vegan Pizza

Buddy's is one of the most celebrated pizza places in the Metro Detroit area. "One of the top 25 pizza spots in the U.S." according to Food & Wine and recognized as "one of the nation's best 5 pizza places . . ." by the Food Network, Buddy's pizza has won it's share of awards and accolades. Buddy's has had a vegan cheese option for a little while now, but has recently stepped up their game by offering a signature 'Tuscan Vegan Pizza.'

Buddy's Tuscan Vegan Pizza has daiya cheese, cannellini beans, parsley, oregano and garlic on Buddy's multi-grain crust with tomato basil sauce. It's drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and served with a lemon wedge. I thought that squeezing fresh lemon juice on this pizza would not make a big difference, but boy was I wrong. Once I had a bite with fresh lemon, I could not go back. The toppings work very well together and I absolutely love that the pizza has the whole-food, plant-powered protein (and vitamins) of beans. Beans are an excellent protein source on their own, but combined with the plant-based protein power of the multi-grain crust, you get an even better proportion of the various essential amino acids that make up proteins in the human body. If you're not a fan of daiya cheese (though most vegans are), I believe that this pizza would taste great with no cheese at all.

The Tuscan Vegan Pizza may not show up on the menu, but there was a poster advertising it right on the counter at my local Buddy's Pizza, and when I inquired at other Buddy's locations, they knew what I was talking about when I mentioned the Tuscan Vegan Pizza.

One of the great things about this new offering at Buddy's is that it opens up the vegan food options for Metro Detroiters who may sometimes feel they are in a 'Vegan Food Desert' as they travel through certain neighborhoods or parts of the city. Buddy's has locations throughout the Detroit Metropolitan area and you are likely to find one within driving distance of wherever you happen to find yourself.

Buddy's Pizza is probably the most celebrated pizza in Detroit

Buddy's Pizza Tuscan Vegan Pizza with light cheese

I just made this recipe for the first time, but it was an instant favorite! I couldn't help but share it, especially because I've been talking about it to everyone I've seen lately.

I slightly adapted this recipe from a fabulous blog that has really inspired me in so many ways. I substituted heirloom tomatoes, chili infused olive oil, and Ezekiel English Muffins for the tortillas. I think just about no matter what you do with this recipe, it will still be absolutely delicious! It seems simple, but it is so full of flavor and so healthy! You won't feel like anything is missing when you bite into these!



Easy Roasted Tomato Pizzas with Basil Cashew Cheeze:
http://ohsheglows.com/2012/08/21/easy-roasted-tomato-pizza-with-basil-cashew-cheeze-2012-vegnews-awards/

Where to Find: This recipe calls for Nutritional Yeast (NOT regular yeast!) which can be found at Health Food Stores, Whole Foods Market, and specialty stores. Whole Foods has it in the bulk spices section. Ezekiel English muffins can often be found in the freezer section, near the health foods or gluten free breads.