Living a healthy life doesn’t mean you have to miss out on foods that you love. As you all know by now, I’m a huge fan of Michael Pollan’s “Food Rules.” Rule #39 is one of my favorite rules to live by:
 
“#39: Eat all the junk food you want, as long as you cook it yourself.”
 
This rule fits perfectly into a balanced lifestyle for two reasons:
 
1. If you’re cooking junk food yourself, it will undoubtedly be healthier than restaurant food.  You’ll avoid loads of sodium, saturated fat, perservatives, etc., etc.
 
2. One problem with junk food is that it’s convenient and easy which means it’s easy to over-do it. Taking the time to cook it yourself will slow you down and naturally decrease the frequency in which you eat “junk food.”
 
Inspired by a restaurant dish (that was not so guilt-free and was loaded with excess sodium), I set out to make a pizza that incorporated the abundance of fresh figs I’ve seen at the Farmer’s Market.

I purchased all of my ingredients from Trader Joe’s and the local Farmer’s Market.

Fig & Prosciutto Pizza
Trader Joe’s Whole Wheat Pizza Dough (found in the refrigerated section)
Trader Joe’s Pizza Sauce
Part-Skim Mozzarella, Shredded
Crumbled Goat Cheese
Sliced Prosciutto
Fresh Figs, Sliced
Fresh Spinach
 
Allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes. While the dough is resting saute the spinach with just a touch of Olive Oil. Set aside.

Once the dough nears room temperature roll it out with a bit of flour to your desired thickness and place on pizza stone/baking dish.

Proceed just as you would expect: spread sauce, add spinach first, followed by prosciutto and mozzarella. Place the figs on the top, sprinkle with goat cheese and bake according to directions on the dough packaging or until cheese is melted and crust is golden.