Easy Guide to Food And Drinks

April 21, 2011

The Wonderful World Of Making A Slice Of Pizza Heaven At Home

Filed under: Main Course — Tags: , , , — CakeAuthor @ 12:58 am

While you can go out to grab a slice of your favorite Italian treat, you might find that by doing it at home, you can create a delicious alternative. This is because the items you order at times will not be the freshest and you do not have full control over what goes into the making of the dish.

 

As you are making these dishes at home, you are going to find that there are different spices and toppings that you will want to explore to determine how they will work best for you. Keep in mind that you might want to consider other things like sauces and other aspects as well.

 

A good rule of thumb when it comes to making a pizza is that you avoid having too many toppings on it. The more you add to the top of your pizza, the more likely you are going to have a crust that has not fully cooked. A good idea is to do no more than ten toppings max. This is in addition to a single layer of cheese and sauce.

 

In terms of crust, you need to understand that there are varieties available. Not only will you be able to choose from sourdough and whole wheat, but you will also be able to choose from a thin crust and a Chicago pizza. Just keep in mind that no matter which style you plan on, a recipe is going to be essential. Of course, when you have one at hand, be sure you consider adjusting it as needed. That is the best way to meet your family’s needs.

 

Keep in mind that there are varieties of ways you can cook your crust. They can add different flavors and textures to your final meal. Be sure you take the time to look into these, as you will find that one might be fairly close to the crusts that you are used to having.

 

One approach you can take is adding butter to your crust. This will increase the flavor and help to keep it moist at the same time too. Adding in a gourmet pizza in turn will help you to brown the pizza evenly. You can find these stones in most retailers to use in your home. In fact, they will help to absorb oils from the pizza.

 

It will be good for you to practice making both thin and thick crusts as well. By working with the dough, you will have a better understanding of how it works. This in turn will help you to make pizzas that are a bit more complex. Some are pizzas with shapes and multiple layer pizzas as well.

 

Remember, there are plenty of choices out there when it comes to toppings and design. Just be sure you keep your ingredients fresh and you should end up with a series of dishes that impress everyone who tries your delicious creations.

March 9, 2011

Dazzle Everyone With Great Pizza Made At Home

Filed under: Food-And-Drink — Tags: , , , — CakeAuthor @ 12:12 am

While eating out or ordering in takeout might save some time, there is little doubt that it is expensive. For many people, the process of doing this has become a routine, but mostly because they are not aware of some simple solutions that are available to them.

 

If you are tight on your budget, then this can be the perfect way to start saving money. Just remember that while you are eating at home, you can still have that meal you enjoy. It will just take a few moments of your time to create the perfect meal and you have control over how healthy it can be.

 

One of the best examples on this is pizza. When you enjoy this delicious treat, you understand that it will be anything but good for you. However, there are a few variations that you can do from home that will allow you to cut back on the fat and calories that you end up consuming from the delivery locations.

 

What you might not realize is there is quite a bit of fat that is in the pizza dough you eat. A number of franchises will use butter and other fats to help enhance the overall flavor. While it does increase that, you will also see major calories added to each slice that you end up enjoying.

 

While you are making this meal at home, you can of course remove this added fat in. On top of that, you will also be able to select from meats and cheeses that are lower in fat. In some cases, you might not even notice that it makes too much of a different in the food. Along with this, you can also add in some vegetables to help make your meal a bit healthier as well.

 

If this sounds like something you might enjoy, then the next step is to locate the best pizza dough recipe that will help you to make the dish you are looking to create. Not only will you end up with some amazing meals, but you will be able to adjust the overall recipe during the creation process as well.

 

Just remember that they key to this process will be creating an alternative that is healthier to consume and easier on your budget. Try exploring some different combinations of flavors and spices and it is very likely that you will end up creating a dish that puts your favorite delivery place to shame and you will have the pleasure of knowing that you are eating better as well.

 

The ability to live happier and healthier is right there are your fingertips. Instead of dialing up your order, take to the cutting board and the oven. You will find there is nothing quite like making your own dinner in this method and knowing what is actually going into it will also give you a peace of mind that you might not have had before.

February 20, 2011

The Wonderful World Of Pizza Choices

Filed under: Main Course — Tags: , , , — CakeAuthor @ 1:17 am

When you want a slice of Italy, then one particular dish comes to mind. This dish comes smothered in tomato sauce and comes topped with cheese and a number of other choices as well. For some people, there is no better choice when it comes to dinner after a hard day at the office.

 

While you can find a number of different establishments that will deliver you a dish straight from the oven, many people are finding that making these choices from home is essentially the best approach. Not only does it save considerable amounts of money, they can also control what goes on top and in turn can make it better for them to eat.

 

This item is of course, pizza and for many people it is the perfect meal. No matter if you choose to create a vegetarians haven or a carnivores eating ground, there is no limitation to the variety that you can make, you will need to note a couple of things.

 

Some people will begin the process by making a general pan option, while others will use what is known as a pizza stone. If you choose to go this route, you will find that your dinner will cook a bit more evenly. In fact, quite a few people that swear by it and when you are making this meal at home, having a stone on hand will be essential.

 

One of the most popular styles to make at home is the Chicago pizza. When you enjoy this style, you will find that it eats more like a pie rather than your traditional pizza. The slices are larger and it is often deep-dish. While some people will eat it by folding it on its sides, others will use a dish and fork to enjoy their meal.

 

Since you have a number of options, you may also choose to look at some recipes that will help you to settle on a particular style. A good way to begin this process is to think about what you might like and then working from that point forward. Since the taste of everyone is different, you might find that some of the different spices and sauces do not appeal to you.

 

Of course, you should understand that you could go beyond a simple pizza in this process as well. You might choose to go for a dessert pizza that uses a brown sugar sauce and cooked apples and cinnamon or even a cherry cobbler choice. You may also choose to make a breakfast pizza topped with eggs and sausage.

 

When you finally decide on the style, you are going to make and the recipe you are going to use, be sure you take a moment to experiment. A recipe is a foundation for a meal that you are going to be making. Just like any good foundation, the more items you can add to it and make it your own, the better it turns out to be.

January 2, 2011

Dazzle Everyone With Great Pizza With A Your Own Pizza At Home

Filed under: Food-And-Drink — Tags: , , , — CakeAuthor @ 1:07 pm

Most of us get our pizza from restaurants that specialize in this dish. If we do try to make our own pizzas at home, we opt for frozen concoctions or readymade pizzas that only need to spend some time in the oven. Making your own pizza, however, is not that difficult. In fact, it’s fun and you get a better pizza.

 

There are a few things you need to do before you make your own pizza at home. First, get some great cheeses. Yes, that means get more than one kind. Mozzarella is a must, but add some others to the party like parmesan, provolone, and any others that you enjoy.

 

Next, make sure you have a pizza pan or stone of some kind to support your crust while it is in the oven. The one you choose is up to you. Pick one that will help you get the kind of crust you want that also fits in your budget.

 

If you do not have a sharp knife, you may want to look into getting a rotary pizza cutter. They work great when it comes to cutting foods like this. Let’s face it; a large pizza could be rather difficult to eat if you do not have any way to cut it up. Choose one that is easy to keep clean.

 

It is true that you can buy readymade pizza dough at the grocery store, but why not make it fresh? Just take a simple pizza dough recipe and make your own. Working the dough is therapeutic and it really is not that hard to do. If you own a bread machine, it gets even simpler. Put the machine on its dough setting and let it go. If you need to make more than one, wrap your finished dough in plastic and let it sit in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook.

 

A flavorful pizza sauce recipe will make all the difference. A good sauce will make your pizza great. Pick a sauce that you like. Some prefer a tangy sauce, while others like one that is sweeter. You can easily cook one up using canned tomatoes and spices. Experiment a little and see if you can create a sauce that is all your own.

 

Pick up a few of your favorite toppings and you are ready to start cooking. Do not be afraid to play with the dough a little bit. A rolling pin works well for creating the crust; you do not have to toss it in the air. Once you have got the crust flattened out, spread your sauce on. Do not use too much or your toppings will slip right off. You just want enough to give the crust flavor.

 

Have your cheese grated before you are ready to put it on. Use it liberally to provide flavor and that stretchy cheese quality that makes eating pizza so fun. Once you have the cheese evenly distributed, you can add your other toppings. Vegetables like sliced zucchini, spinach, mushrooms, onions, and peppers make good toppings. Meats like sausage, hamburger, Canadian bacon, pepperoni, salami, and ham are excellent choices.

December 12, 2010

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Pizza Pans

Filed under: Cooking Tips — Tags: , , , — CakeAuthor @ 7:42 pm

If you want to make your own pizza at home, you’ll need a pan of one sort or another. There are many different types of pizza pans you can choose from. You’ll want to pick one that works best for the kind of pizza you want to make and works best with your oven or grill.

 

Pizza Stones

 

Some people like pizza stones best. Made of stone or fired clay, these flat surfaces are warmed in the oven as it heats up. The pizza is put onto the hot stone to bake. This creates a crisp crust that you can’t get with other pans. Pizza stones can be heavy, they require extra care, and you need a pizza peel to put your pizza on the stone and take it off again. You’ll need to put corn meal on the stone to keep the pizza from sticking. You may find that using a pizza stone has a bit of a learning curve, but they can make very good pizzas.

 

You can find metal pizza pans designed for deep dish, thin crust and Sicilian pizzas. Each type will be available in a variety of sizes. They also come in different metals. Metal pans don’t give you as crisp a crust as you’ll get with the stone, but if you choose a perforated pan, you can get closer to it. Metal pans make excellent serving dishes for your pizza, though you should not slice the pizza while it is in the pan.

 

The pizza pans that you see most frequently are for thin crust pizzas. Pizzerias often display them on the wall to show what sizes they have available. Aluminum pans are the most common, though you can find stainless steel if you look carefully. Anodized aluminum is a good choice.

 

Throughout the history of pizza, most have been on thinner crusts, though deep dish pizzas have always had a place. Associated mostly with Chicago pizza, you need a deeper pan to handle the sheer weight of a deep dish pizza. You just can’t get by with a thin crust pan. Deep dish pans are available with and without perforations for crisper crusts. Perforated pans do not work well if you like corn meal crusts; the little bits tend to fall out and burn in the oven.

 

Sicilian pans are usually square. They can be 1 or 2 inches deep. You can also find them in a rectangular shape. You want a nice, sturdy pan for these since many Sicilian pizzas call for the toppings to actually be pushed into the dough.

 

As you can see, choosing your pizza pan is a personal thing. Most novelty pizzas will need just a thin crust pan. If you have a fruit pizza recipe, for instance, that would work well on a thin crust pan. Just bake the cookie crust on the pan, and then let it cool before topping it with fruit.

 

If you plan to use your pizza pans on your grill, ask at the kitchen supply store what pan would best suit your needs. They may have some pans that can handle the heat of the grill better than others can.

December 3, 2010

Focus On Techniques For Pizza

Filed under: Cooking Tips — Tags: , , , — CakeAuthor @ 11:22 am

We have all faced it: leftover pizza that has sat in the refrigerator. The cheese is cold and congealed. The crust is less than flavorful. Granted, some people prefer their pizza this way, but what if you do not? What do you do about it? Heating up a pizza in the microwave leaves you with a limp, soggy slice. There must be a better way.

 

You can use a frying pan to heat your pizza. Just slap a pan on your stove or hotplate. Let it heat up. Once hot, set your pizza in the pan over medium heat. Covering it will speed up the process but you will lose some crispness, as the moisture stays trapped in the pan. A good compromise is to cover it for the first few minutes so the cheese melts and then uncover it for crisping.

 

Another suggestion is to put your pizza on a griddle. Let it warm and crisp the crust, then flip it over so the cheese can get warm and melted. The direct heat will also tend to have a caramelizing effect on the cheese and other toppings, making it into a slice that may possibly be better than it was the night before. Try it and see if you like it.

 

With so many types of pizza to choose from, it only makes sense to try different ways to heat them back up. What works well for one type may not work as well for another. Some people like to microwave their pizza for a minute to melt the cheese, and then they put the pizza in a toaster oven to make the crust crispy. For some reason, many people state that the toaster oven just does not do both sides at the same time.

 

Reheating has been a problem throughout the long history of pizza. When you have leftovers, you are left thinking about how good it was when you first bit into it. For centuries, pizza lovers have puzzled over the best method to reheat their favorite food.

 

One great way to heat pizza in a toaster oven is to cut up the pizza into small pieces. Heat them in the oven on a pan and enjoy the bite size appetizers you take out! They are hot, crisp and have bubbling cheese. Because the pieces are small, they do not take long to heat.

 

Of course, there are some types of pizza that you do not want to reheat. If you make a fruit pizza recipe, you can enjoy it with the kids or make one when you want something sweet. Fruit pizzas use a cookie crust topped with cream cheese and pieces of your favorite fruit. Sounds delicious! This is one pizza you want to enjoy cold every time.

 

Now that you have a few alternative methods to heating up your cold pizza, it will not be so intimidating to see the pizza box waiting for you in the fridge. These simple methods will give you a hot, cheesy treat that rivals the original pizza that you brought home. You can also use these methods on homemade pizza or frozen pizza.

November 22, 2010

Tackle Historic Pizza Places In New York

Filed under: Food-And-Drink — Tags: , , , — CakeAuthor @ 8:55 am

New York is famous for its thin crust pizza. However, where did it start? Italian immigrants brought pizza to New York in the late 1800s. It still took a little longer before the first pizzeria opened up on the streets of New York. It started with Lombardi’s Grocery. In 1905, it is documented that Gennaro Lombardi took out a license for the first pizzeria in Little Italy. Slowly, his grocery store turned into a full time pizzeria that sold pizza by the slice or by the whole pie.

 

Antonio Totonno Pero worked for Lombardi’s before branching off to establish his own pizzeria in 1924. He opened up in Coney Island and the restaurant stood there until a fire gutted it in 2009. It is still in the process of being rebuilt. In the meantime, Totonno’s is still serving New York today at two different locations. They are famous for their coal burning pizza ovens.

 

The next big pizzeria to open in New York belonged to John Sasso. John’s Pizzeria opened up just as the Great Depression was taking hold, but it survived to become one of the best-loved pizza restaurants in the West Village.

 

What do these restaurants have in common? They all use Old World pizza recipes that came from Italy with the immigrants. Many of them still sell the classic Margherita pizza and the traditional tomato pizza that does not have any cheese. This is what New Yorkers have grown up with over the past century.

 

What is New York pizza known for? Its thin crust. Even the pizza dough recipe used is distinctive. Legend has it that the minerals found only in New York City water are responsible for the great taste of New York crust. Whether this is true or not, many out of state pizzerias ship New York water so they can be authentic.

 

Next, one must consider the pizza sauce recipe. New York sauce is traditionally made from Italian tomatoes. It is applied to the dough in a very thin layer. The sauce is tasty enough to stand on its own or to be topped with only mozzarella cheese.

 

As pizza popularity continued to grow in New York, Patsy’s Pizzeria and Grimaldi’s Pizzeria under the Brooklyn Bridge found their own niches. It is said that Grimaldi learned to make pizza with his uncle, Patsy Lancieri, of Patsy’s Pizzeria. This relationship has been questioned over the years, and no one really knows the truth. Nevertheless, Grimaldi makes his pizza in the old world fashion with a brick coal-fired oven.

 

Today, you can still find Lombardi’s, but they had to move to Spring Street when their oven collapsed in the 1970s. Totonno’s has two locations and John’s Pizzeria is still found in its original location on Bleecker Street. Grimaldi’s is still in its original location. Patsy’s was sold in 1991. You can find it in its original location as well as in many other locations around the city. What created the unique New York pizza is still there. Pizzas are hand-tossed and baked in coal-fired ovens, giving the pizzas a smoky, crisp flavor. Enjoy your authentic New York pizza at any of these historic restaurants. You can even try to replicate them at home, though it may be difficult to install your own brick oven.

November 5, 2010

The Wonderful World Of Pizza Recipe Ideas

Filed under: Main Course — Tags: , , , — CakeAuthor @ 3:54 pm

There is more to making pizza than choosing a good pizza dough recipe or making the right pizza sauce to go with the toppings. The most important thing about making perfect pizzas is to let your imagination have a free reign. Be as creative as you like, experimenting with different dough, sauce and topping recipes and you are sure to come up with a winning combination.

 

Many people assume that pizza is something you get delivered for the lazy evenings when you cannot be bothered to cook but this is totally untrue. First of all, gourmet pizza recipes can be just as elaborate as any other gourmet dish and, secondly, the sheer versatility of this wonderful dish means you can tailor it to the occasion perfectly, whether you are feeding hungry toddlers, picky teenagers, dinner party guests or a mixed group.

 

Making Healthy Pizza that Kids Will Love

 

Pizza does not have to be “junk food.” It does not have to be piled high with cheese, fatty meat or other unhealthy toppings. Children are fond of pizza and many list it as one of their favorite foods so, armed with this information, you can make something that your child will find appetizing. Fruit pizzas are a good option if you want to make a nutritious dessert. Any kind of crust can be topped with yogurt and fresh fruit to make a fruit pizza for children.

 

You can use a whole wheat pizza dough recipe to make a more traditional type of pizza for the kids and top it with a homemade tomato sauce recipe. Do not use a store-bought sauce because these are often packed with sugar and chemicals. Use lean meat such as chicken on top, as well as colorful vegetables. This is sure to thrill the children and you will know that they are enjoying something nutritious.

 

What About Gourmet Pizzas?

 

You might never have considered serving pizza at a dinner party but why not? A gourmet pizza is very different to the inferior delivered pizzas or frozen pizzas you might be familiar with and the sky is the limit when it comes to the crust, sauce, and toppings.

 

Imagine a thin and crispy gourmet crust, topped with a garlic and cream pizza sauce recipe and fine seafood toppings. You can use truffles, caviar, lobster, crab, or any other sophisticated ingredients to make a pizza, which really has the wow factor.

 

Switch the sauce for an Italian style tomato mixture and use your favorite meat on top to make another kind of gourmet pizza. Lamb, feta and mint would be amazing, as would roast beef and mushrooms or another mouthwatering combination.

 

More Kinds of Pizza

 

It does not matter whether you have to feed kids, adults or a mixture, or whether you are catering for a birthday party or a buffet; there are hundreds, if not thousands, of pizza recipes you can choose from. As you get more used to working with the dough, sauce and toppings, you will be able to get really imaginative with your homemade pizza recipes and discover even more tasty combinations.

 

Whenever you are stuck for ideas, let pizza come to the rescue. You might be looking for something child-friendly, gourmet, gluten free, healthy, or unusual and this is no problem because there is a pizza recipe for every occasion.

July 28, 2010

The Pizza Enthuses Guide To Individual Pizzas

Filed under: Main Course — Tags: , , , — CakeAuthor @ 4:53 pm

It’s pizza night, and everyone is asking for their favorite. Unfortunately, no one agrees on a single recipe. How can you please everyone when they all want something different? With pizza, it’s easy. Make individual pizzas. Everyone can pick their own toppings and be pleased with their meal.

 

By making individual pizzas, you can easily cater to everyone’s tastes. That 4 year old that only eats cheese on their pizza is just as happy as the teenager that won’t eat anything but pepperoni. Meanwhile, you can enjoy a more sophisticated pizza that you wouldn’t get to enjoy if you were simply catering to the kids.

 

Have you even considered what you may want on a pizza if you had the chance? You could try mixing prosciutto with parmesan cheese and arugula or perhaps a simple Margarita pizza. Either way, once you start making individual pizzas, you’ll find it doesn’t take any longer than making larger pizzas, but you get to indulge your own tastes.

 

Before you have your family come into the kitchen to pile on their favorite toppings, have everything ready. Roll out all the crusts so there is no waiting. Prepare the toppings and set them out on the table so everyone can reach them easily without making a mess.

 

Everyone can follow their own pizza recipes or just play it by ear. If they like lots of cheese, they can put it on. If they prefer all meat or all veggie, let them go for it. Prepare by making a list of the toppings they want ahead of time so you can have them available. You don’t want to guess and waste money on items they won’t use.

 

It’s true that you can use store bought crusts or flat bread to make a quick pizza, but why would you? They are full of preservatives in order to keep them fresh. Many stores now sell fresh dough or you could actually make it yourself. Just pick a simple pizza dough recipe and go for it. It really is easier than driving to the store, plus it tastes great and there are no preservatives. Make extra to freeze for your next pizza night.

 

A delicious pizza sauce recipe can beat a jar of spaghetti sauce any day, but store sauce will do in a pinch. You can quickly make a good sauce with a few tomatoes, some herbs, and a few minutes on the stove. Remember that not every pizza sauce has to be tomato-based… you can branch out and try simple olive oil, a white sauce or even a sauce-less pizza. Don’t be afraid to explore a little. It’s your pizza; you don’t have to share with anyone.

 

On your next pizza night, try some individual pizzas. You may find out this is the best way to make pizza for your family. You save a lot of money compared to going to a pizza restaurant, and everyone, including you, gets what they want. Everybody wins! Clean up is easy. Leftovers can be eaten cold or reheated the next day. You’ll find that everyone loved their individual pizza and they can’t wait to have another pizza night.

July 16, 2010

The Wonderful World Of Pizza Toppings

Filed under: Main Course — Tags: , , , — CakeAuthor @ 3:26 am

One of the best things about making your own pizza is choosing the toppings. You can go for a traditional pizza like cheese or pepperoni, or you can go completely wild and try something you’ve never put on a pizza before.  

 

Imagine all the different toppings you could put on a vegetarian pizza, for instance. Sure, you can use the typical zucchini, olives, mushrooms and onions, but why not try something a little different? Add some sliced beets, spring peas or small cubes of yellow squash. Roasted sweet potato might go well with some mushrooms and roasted garlic. Dare to be different!

 

With all the different types of pizza you can make, your choice of toppings is unlimited. Obviously a thin crust pizza would need toppings that are not in danger of sliding off, while a thick deep dish pizza could handle a wider variety of flavorful additions.

 

When you study history of pizza, you will see they started with a few of their favorite toppings. One of the first pizzas ever made featured basil, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Known as Pizza Marghareta, it was named in honor of Italian royalty. The ingredients were specially chosen because they had the same colors as the Italian flag. Pick a theme if you wish to make your next pizza.

 

Cheese lets you truly create a masterpiece. Don’t settle for a single variety. Mix many different cheeses to add depth as they melt together. For example, for a traditional pizza, you may enjoy the flavors of mozzarella, provolone, parmesan and smoked gouda. If you want to broaden your horizons, think about goat cheese or adding the unique flavor of a blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Stilton. Cheese will set off the flavors of other ingredients.

 

Why not try some nuts on your pizza? Crunchy almonds, peanuts, cashews and pine nuts can all add a new dimension to your average, everyday pizza. Think about the ingredients you’ve already chosen and choose nuts that complement them. For example, pecans may go well with a gourmet pizza featuring flavors from the American South.

 

Have you heard of dessert pizza? You can easily make a fruit pizza recipe using baked cookie dough for the crust. Top with cream cheese and your favorite fruit to make a delicious, refreshing summer treat. You can also add fruit to a traditional pizza. Pineapple, apple slices, peaches and many other fruits that bake well are excellent choices.

 

Meats and seafood also give you more leeway than you may think. Beyond pepperoni and sausage you can find a whole new world of turkey, venison, and duck. Borrow from another recipe and use buffalo chicken or chicken marsala to the top of your pizza. Try adding some tuna or oysters to a seafood pizza. Lobster, Cajun prawns or smoked salmon can also make an unusual choice for toppings. Pair them up with a compatible sauce or just drizzle a little olive oil or cheese on the crust. Don’t feel like you must follow all the traditional rules when you make a homemade pizza.

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