Soybean Meat Substitutes

• There are many meat substitutes made from soybeans, such as tempeh, veggie burgers and even faux Italian sausage, available at health food stores and your local supermarket. Some soy products are made with soy mutations that have been altered through processing. The ingredients list will include texturized vegetable protein (TVP), soy protein isolate or soy protein concentrate. They are good sources of protein and fiber with the added bonus of a long shelf life. TVP is used in some school lunch programs, as well, since it is so economical. However, if you prefer non-genetically modified ingredients (non-GMO), look for substitutes made from minimally processed soybeans. You can use vegetarian soybean products on pizza the same way you would use your favorite meat toppings. Precook the meat substitute if needed and distribute it liberally on top of the cheese.
  
  

Falafel Pizza

• Falafel is a savory, deep-fried Indian dish made from chickpeas. It gets its intense flavors from liberal amounts of cumin, garlic, red pepper and parsley. As with most deep-fried foods, falafel is packed with fat and calories. You don't have to fry falafel, however. Bake it instead. Rather than forming the larger croquettes or patties that most recipes specify, scoop out small balls and bake until slightly firm. They will continue to bake atop the pizza. Or skip the pre-baking altogether and crumble the falafel mixture over the tomato sauce. Select other meatless pizza toppings that complement falafel, such as chopped tomatoes, onions and olives.
  
  

Bean Burger Pizza

• Combine black beans in a food processor with jalapeno, onion, cilantro, garlic, an egg, breadcrumbs or quick oats to make a burger or meatball mixture. Pan fry just until firm. Crumble the burgers over pizza and bake the pizza as usual. Use black beans burgers in place of your favorite sausage pizza recipe. You'll reduce the fat and add healthy fiber.
  
  

Just Plain Beans

• Although it's nice to add beans that look like meat on your vegetarian pizza, you don't need to do anything fancy. Any canned beans, rinsed and drained, will do. In addition to chickpeas and black beans, experiment with kidney beans, white beans, black-eyed peas and lentils. Add fresh or dried herbs such as fennel, oregano, sage, thyme or cumin for extra flavor. Also, top your meatless pizza with a spicy sauce, and you will not be tempted to pile on the sausage ever again.