Spinach and Artichoke Dip French Bread Pizza

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I got a wonderful comment on this happy blog of mine today. Someone said “How can you have a healthy blog when you’re so fat?” It took almost everything in me not to write back a string of expletives and report that a-hole to the google police. But instead, I’m just going to shake it off, a-la Taylor Swift, and post about pizza today.

spin dip french bread pizza

I gots my priorities in check, y’all!

french bread pizza2

Back in the day, those kinds of comments would have probably broken me. I would have spent hours going over all of my personal photos on my site, wondering if I did really “look fat.” I would have spend days crafting a thoughtful, yet stern, response to this spam-bot internet troll and would have finally sent it a week later. The sad thing, even writing a response and judging myself in every photo didn’t bring me peace. I still found myself haunted by one disgusting person’s stupid subjective opinion.

Cheesy spinach pizza

Now, I just laugh and move on. It’s weird because I am bigger than I was 3 years ago. In fact, I’m at a weight I’m very, VERY unhappy with. Yet those ridiculous comments don’t bug me now as they did 20 pounds ago. Maybe because even though I’m heavy, I’m actually happy with who I am inside. I know that sounds cheesy and very “After School Special” but it’s true. I’m doing awesome things with my job, I’m fulfilled personally and professionally and, truthfully, I’m just so tired of letting a number on the scale or in my pants define me.

artichokes

That doesn’t mean I’m going to sit around all plumply without making a change toward my health. In fact, I’m feeling more motivated than ever lately to shed these pounds and go back to a weight I look good at. And finally, for the first time in, well, ever, I’ll feel as good inside as I look outside.

pizzas3

Oh and expect an onslaught of “before and after” bikini bod pics when that happens. Just for that stupid, idiotic, troll face internet monster.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip French Bread Pizza

Creamy spinach pizza

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS RECIPE!

Serves about 8. Adapted and Inspired by Rachael Ray.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 16 – 18 minutes
Total time: 28 minutes

Ingredients: 

For the low-calorie white pizza sauce:

  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cup low-fat (1% – 2%) milk
  • 2 teaspoons italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

For the pizzas:

  • 1 whole wheat baguette, quartered (so you have 4 equal size pieces)
  • 2 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
  • 1 (9 ounce) can of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
  • 1 1/4 cups part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh mozzarella, cut into small chunks
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet or rimmed baking pan with foil and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. To make the sauce, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 3 – 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour until you get a thicker paste. Reduce heat to medium and whisk in the milk. Let sauce simmer, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the italian seasoning and cheese.
  3. Evenly spread the cheesy bechamel sauce over the four baguette quarters. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the four quarters. Top with equal layers of spinach and artichoke hearts. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese evenly over the tops of the artichoke hearts and top with the small chunks of fresh mozzarella.
  4. Add a dash of salt and cracked black pepper over the tops.
  5. Bake for about 16 – 18 minutes or until cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.

Nutritional information per 1/2 pizza: 

Calories: 230
Fat: 11.25 grams
Carbohydrates: 19.75 grams
Fiber: 2.75 grams
Protein: 12.5 grams
Weight Watchers Points: 6

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Comments

  1. Posted by Alyson on
    Tuesday, April 21st, 2015
    I heard this story on NPR about a woman who confronted an internet troll. I thought you might appreciate it at this moment. You have so much to be proud of! http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/02/what-happened-confronted-cruellest-troll-lindy-west
  2. Tuesday, April 21st, 2015
    These look awesome. Thanks for including the WW points - I'm working on that at the moment....
  3. Tuesday, April 21st, 2015
    I'm happy you're not spending any time thinking about this troll. It's hard to ignore them but like you said, thinking about their dumb comments doesn't do anyone any good. Sorry you have to deal with such awful comments!
  4. Tuesday, April 21st, 2015
    The perfect combination for pizza! Love it!
  5. Posted by Ginny McMeans on
    Tuesday, April 21st, 2015
    I can go for this recipe - very very easily! Ah, trolls. Yes, they are definitely worth a good laugh.
  6. Posted by Angie on
    Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015
    People are so mean. I'd hate to see what they consider thin, maybe a starving Ethiopian child? Oh and your pizza looks amazing!
  7. Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015
    Oh my gosh - how terrible some people are! And sad...just IGNORE. But this pizza - I can't ignore that! You've combined two favs - pizza and spinach artichoke dip into one amazing recipe!
  8. Posted by Cookin Canuck on
    Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015
    People have WAY to much time on their hands (and way too much unhappiness in their lives)...delete those comments and focus on all you have to celebrate! This pizza, for one...it looks wonderful!
  9. Posted by Heather | girlichef on
    Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015
    Whaaaaaat!? Seriously, what is wrong with people? I know that's it's hard to let go...but that person is not worth a second though. This amazing french bread pizza, however...it's worth a fourth and fifth thought. Yum!
  10. Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015
    What the what?! How rude. Good for you for not giving that troll one second of your time. I think the fact that you are happy on the inside speaks volumes more than a number on a scale. You do you.
  11. Posted by Susan on
    Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015
    What an idiot and troll. Sorry you have to deal with comments like that but you have such a positive attitude and that's what matters in the end. p.s. The pizza looks great!
  12. Posted by Nutmeg Nanny on
    Thursday, April 23rd, 2015
    People suck. Never let them bring you down! BTW I want this pizza for breakfast. I wish it would show up immediately...yum!
  13. Friday, April 24th, 2015
    I say that we get together, have some of this pizza and vent about stupid internet trolls. Please and thank you ! haha