Global
Portobello Pizza Caps
Meaty portobello mushrooms become the base for a two-bite personal pizza. No crust needed, ready in 20 minutes.
~30 mintotal~81 kcalper serving~7g protein~6g carbs~4g fat
Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 4.
Ingredients
- 4 large portobello mushrooms
- 4 tbsp passata
- ½ cup grated mozzarella
- 8 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Fresh basil
- Salt & pepper
Cooking Steps
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
Remove the mushroom stalks and brush the caps with olive oil.
Roast gill-side up for 8 minutes, then drain any liquid.
Fill with passata, mozzarella and cherry tomatoes.
Bake 8–10 minutes until melted.
Finish with basil and pepper.
Optional Enhancements
- Add sliced olives or peppers
- Dairy-free cheese works
- Sprinkle with chilli flakes
Plant & Growing Tips
Cherry Tomatoes
- Plant seedlings in a sunny spot with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight after the last frost.
- Provide support like stakes or a cage early on to keep the fruit off the ground and improve air circulation.
- Water consistently and deeply, especially during fruiting, to prevent cracking and blossom end rot.
Fresh Basil
- Sow basil seeds or plant seedlings in a warm, sunny location with well-drained soil, after all danger of frost has passed.
- Pinch off the top set of leaves regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent the plant from flowering too early.
- Basil can be grown successfully in containers on a sunny windowsill or patio.
Natural Pest Control
- Check basil plants regularly for aphids and whiteflies, removing them by hand or spraying with a mild soapy water solution.
- Companion plant basil near tomatoes to help deter tomato hornworms and whiteflies.
- Install yellow sticky traps near tomato plants to monitor and reduce populations of whiteflies and other flying pests.
Harvest
Cherry Tomatoes
- Harvest when the fruits are fully colored, firm, and easily detach from the vine.
- Pick regularly to encourage the plant to produce more fruit throughout the season.
Fresh Basil
- Snip off leaves and stems as needed, always pinching just above a leaf node to promote new growth.
- Harvest before the plant flowers, as flowering can make the leaves bitter; if flowers appear, pinch them off immediately.
Storing & Freezing
Best fresh; not suitable for freezing.
