Two Plus Two Newer Archives - Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

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Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

Got inspired by the Domino's thread and I decided to cook FFK dinner: homemade pizza. We usually do a

half and half style since she's addicted to spinach/garlic/mushroom combo while I prefer more.

Her side: spinach, mushroom, garlic
My side: spinach, mushroom, garlic, red onion, bell pepper (usually green -- tonight orange), banana peppers, pepperoni, chopped bacon.

occasionally I stray from the above mentioned...artichoke hearts/sardines/etc...FFK is always loyal to her pizza toppings.

So I go to the grocery store and pick up the goods.
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/1148/startdf6.jpg
note: the pepcid complete is for me and is an awesome preventative medicine.

Prep work...

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/3665/tops3ko2.jpg

we go heavy on the garlic. (white onion is for the sauce -- red for topping)
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/4453/tops2ej4.jpg

you can't go wrong with J. A, Henckels (a gift from FFK's mom)
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/5008/henkfk7.jpg

Bacon...
I take my bacon cooking serious. Start with a preheated skillet/frying pan...add bacon. Watch it carefully and flip just as bottom starts to brown. Dodge hot grease pops. Watch it carefully. Remove bacon from heat 45 seconds before it's fully cooked and place on paper towel. Bacon will continue to cook slightly while on the paper towels and will cook even more once added as a topping to the pizza and tossed in the oven. Chop for pizza topping.
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/1146/bacon1hi3.jpg

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/7792/bacon2ie5.jpg

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/415/bacon3xr5.jpg

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/3471/bacon4ta2.jpg

Sauce...
I should mention that FFK has an italian aunt who has a wicked red-sauce recipe that we use all the time. I will not reveal secret recipe but will go through the basics...

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/7896/sauce1sw2.jpg

1st sautee onions...add garlic at the end.
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3087/sauce2ss3.jpg

add rest of ingredients and raise heat. When sauce begins to bubble on edges, drop heat to a simmer. Continue to simmer for an hour or more -- spice to taste.

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/16/sauce3ow5.jpg

Crust...
We prefer thin (I'll go sicilian sometimes but only at felini's). We are using a generic pre-made crust but we'll sometimes make from scratch...really not much difference (sorry to disappoint).

Saucing and Topping the pie...
cheese/topping layering is ship-it-crucial
http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/4838/img2463lk1.jpg

my side: cheese/red onion/bell pepper
ffk's side: cheese/spinach
http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/3352/img2464pd7.jpg

my side: + cheese/mushroom/bacon/garlic
ffk's side: + cheese/mushroom/garlic --> DONE
http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/5434/img2465an4.jpg

my side: + cheese/banana peppers/pepperoni/cheese --> DONE
http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/7356/img2469gd3.jpg

stacked --> http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/4615/img2468ll7.jpg

placed directly on the rack
http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/8734/img2472vo2.jpg

Final Product...
http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/1926/img2473hc7.jpg

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/3163/img2474qi5.jpg

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/2224/img2481yi7.jpg

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/1341/img2482vg4.jpg

And for dessert...

http://www.narconon.org/druginfo/buds.jpg + http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...borat_home.jpg

Edit: spellign

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

Its not homemade without the crust.

Crust is by far the most important part of the pizza.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

looks excellent AEKD.

one question... you don't blanch your spinach first? just put it on there fresh?

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

[ QUOTE ]
looks excellent AEKD.

one question... you don't blanch your spinach first? just put it on there fresh?

[/ QUOTE ]

We just do it raw. If you put cheese on top of it, it cooks sufficiently and I like for it to have a little body. I do try to remove the stems though.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
looks excellent AEKD.

one question... you don't blanch your spinach first? just put it on there fresh?

[/ QUOTE ]

We just do it raw.

[/ QUOTE ]

whoa whoa whoa WHOA

let's stick to the topic at hand plz

another question... have you guys ever tried sourdough?

i am a firm believer in sourdough for this type of heavy-duty pizza.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

[ QUOTE ]
Its not homemade without the crust.

Crust is by far the most important part of the pizza.

[/ QUOTE ]

true but imo extremely negligible for thin crust where crispness is more important.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

desert should come before dinner

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

oh yeah AEKD your side could use some green on it, maybe a little basil schiffenade... color balance yo

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

Your bacon cooking skills are tremendous - I am anxious to try the process out.

Meanwhile, you should really put your meat products underneath the cheese, then finish the pizza's baking process by cooking it under the broiler for a few minutes at the end to brown the cheeze off and give it a crispy top side. Mucho awesome!

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

[ QUOTE ]

another question... have you guys ever tried sourdough?

i am a firm believer in sourdough for this type of heavy-duty pizza.

[/ QUOTE ]

no, but that will be added to the "for next time" list along w/ Dids' rec about not using pre-shredded cheese.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

no way negligible, you can taste the freshness!

and weak at not releasing the tomato base recipe, pretty much the most important part of a good homemade pizza.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

[ QUOTE ]
oh yeah AEKD your side could use some green on it, maybe a little basil schiffenade... color balance yo

[/ QUOTE ]

NT - true...I got to the point where I was about to stick the pie in the oven and then realized my blunder.

Dino Poker - I've gotten into the habit of putting the meat on top so it gets a little crisp.

As for the crust...yes homemade is way better. I am just trying to make excuses for my laziness plus we already had the crust.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

another question... have you guys ever tried sourdough?

i am a firm believer in sourdough for this type of heavy-duty pizza.

[/ QUOTE ]

no, but that will be added to the "for next time" list along w/ Dids' rec about not using pre-shredded cheese.

[/ QUOTE ]

i only mention it because i used to work in an organic sourdough pizza place (and a sourdough bakery for a while that did their crusts) and to me, once you go that way you can't go back.

this post reminded me of a great pie they had there that involved spinach, gorgonzola, prosciutto, figs, and rosemary oil. too rich for me most of the time but damn, impressive pie.

my personal favorite was a white pie with a blend of roasted garlic and bbq sauce spread on the crust. saute a blend of onions, garlic sausage, maybe some peppers, spread over some mozz, roni, smoked gouda, a little asiago instead of parm, and some basil.

i ate every conceivable type of pizza. for a while i was so sick of it. we made breakfast pizzas with eggs and [censored] on them. we made salad pizzas. you name it, we made it.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

B: LOL, acidrefluxaments.
J: Sailin' round the world in a dirty gondola?

Oh to be back in the land of Coca-Cola (but not really,)

T. d A. y C.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

Looks great. You have a very nice kitchen, too.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

[ QUOTE ]
B: LOL, acidrefluxaments.
J: Sailin' round the world in a dirty gondola?

Oh to be back in the land of Coca-Cola (but not really,)

T. d A. y C.

[/ QUOTE ]

haha...i used to be a Tums man...then I wised up.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

awesome bacon cooking skillz. you don't chop the garlic up smaller though??

here is the most depressing part about your creation though;

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d9...an/morning.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d9...cean/night.jpg

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

ones a timer for the preheat, or a countdown timer, and one is the actual time.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

MillionD - the longer the sauce simmers the better...as long as you don't let it burn on the bottom.

I don't work on Monday's so I really had nothing other to do than this and tv/internet.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

[ QUOTE ]
ones a timer for the preheat, or a countdown timer, and one is the actual time.

[/ QUOTE ]

sorry guids...its the actual time of day.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

Christ, that's enough sauce for about 15 pizzas.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

[ QUOTE ]
Christ, that's enough sauce for about 15 pizzas.

[/ QUOTE ]

true

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

nice job! although when I make pizza, I just use a Boboli crust with my own sauce...and of course, I go crazy on the fixins' like you did!

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

A+ trip report. That pizza looks great.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Christ, that's enough sauce for about 15 pizzas.

[/ QUOTE ]

true

[/ QUOTE ]

left overs baby!

fwiw - I halved the recipe as written in the cookbook.

does anyone know if boboli (sp?) makes a thin crust? I've used their regular (back in the day) and its def solid.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

Is there a reason for cutting that Boboli crust like you did?

Edit - that's not a Boboli crust? I would have bet $100 that it was...

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

[ QUOTE ]
Is there a reason for cutting that Boboli crust like you did?

[/ QUOTE ]

yes...tastes better.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

Dom: "I go crazy on the fixins'" Toppings, man, toppings! This is pizza we're talking about here!!!!

AE: Looks delicious. I thought you were gonna overdo it with the toppings, but it looks like it turned out great.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

looks super good. u got skills obv.

why isnt ur pizza round?

homemade sauce is awesome. i usually make a ton and let it simmer for like 5-6 hours then freeze most of it. also, you need some hot peppers in there.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

Chair,

If you're going to go the homemade crust route- get a pizza stone, makes a big difference.

One rec I've heard in that area is that typically you can get raw dough from a local pizza place, which can save a lot of time/agony.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

Btw- that pizza looks fantastic.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

[ QUOTE ]
If you're going to go the homemade crust route- get a pizza stone, makes a big difference.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll second that.

[ QUOTE ]
One rec I've heard in that area is that typically you can get raw dough from a local pizza place, which can save a lot of time/agony.

[/ QUOTE ]

You can also save energy by making enough dough for like 10 pizzas, then freezing what you don't use in individual ziploc bags. It'll keep forever.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

Nice job, but you gotta make the crust from scratch- that's the hardest part. No one says they made homemade pasta if the only thing they made was the sauce. So, we will call this one a home-assembled pizza. Next week do the real thing.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

[ QUOTE ]
No one says they made homemade pasta if the only thing they made was the sauce. So, we will call this one a home-assembled pizza. Next week do the real thing.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think these two situations are similar and fully endorse this as a homemade pizza.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
No one says they made homemade pasta if the only thing they made was the sauce. So, we will call this one a home-assembled pizza. Next week do the real thing.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think these two situations are similar and fully endorse this as a homemade pizza.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why are they not similar?

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

Looks good, but I'm somewhat perplexed that you would go through the trouble of making a homemade sauce, but use a store bought dough. Pizza dough is like 10X easier to make than sauce.

Nice job with the bacon.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

I have a couple questions for you sir and maam.

1) Can I pleeeease have the sauce recipe. I've been looking for a good one and can't ever find one. I KNOW this is the problem with my pizzas.
2) How many cloves of garlic is that? It looks like about 10 for that small pizza? I love garlic, but wowza.
3) How long does that take once in the oven? Does the large number of toppings make it take longer than my usual simple 1 topping?
4) Not a Q: but awesome trip report. I'll be trying another homemade pizza again this week thanks to it.

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

Make your own dough/crust you wuss!!

Re: Homemade Pizza Making... (Trip Report w/ pics)

Pizza looks good. I had the same thought of making a pizza idea after reading the Dominio's Pizza thread as well.

If you ever clean that oven, lay aluminum foil at the bottom of the oven. Cleaning is a bitch.