Tag: pizza

Pull Yourself Together

There are few universal truths in life, but I know this to be true: Everyone loves pizza.

Pizza is quite possibly the world’s most perfect food. Between the crispy yet chewy crust, savory-sweet tomato sauce, and gooey cheese, it’s easy to understand the appeal. While some may dispute the ideal approach to each individual component, no one will disparage the overall concept. Even as it shape-shifts into different forms, that fact remains unshakable.

Thus, in honor of World Bread Day, I present to you pizza bread like you’ve never seen before. Forget the juvenile cafeteria fare that the notion may evoke and brace yourself for the ultimate pizza experience reconfigured as a generous loaf. Accordion-Style Pull-Apart Pizza Bread takes notes from monkey bread as an irresistible finger food, translates it into savory terms, and then flips it on its head for the final grand presentation.

If you want to impress friends, this is your new party trick. Though it may look complicated, it takes little more effort than shaping a standard loaf of bread. Divide and conquer, rolling out small sheets of dough piece by piece, then reassemble the whole thing like Frankenstein’s monster, but far more attractive. Tomato sauce gets baked right in for complete coverage so all you have to do is add cheese and toppings, then slap it together. There are no points awarded for cleanliness, so get in there and have fun!

The trick is knowing your spacial limitations. There is no loaf pan that I know of designed precisely for such unconventional culinary experimentation, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find creative solutions. I quickly ran out of dough before my standard 8 x 4-inch pan was filled, which ultimately came at my benefit. Simply tuck in the open end using foil as a brace and insert a ramekin with water for support. Now, you have both the perfect package and a built-in steam bath to help it rise to even greater heights.

What else can you add to your pull-apart pizza bread?

I’m glad you asked! Like the classic, fillings are as limitless for toppings. Dig into any of your favorites, such as:

  • Sun-dried tomatoes
  • Sliced olives
  • Diced red onion
  • Plant-based pepperoni, sausage crumbles, or bacon
  • Sauteed mushrooms
  • Diced bell peppers
  • Fresh basil, parsley, or scallions
  • Baby arugula or spinach
  • Diced pineapple

The only way you can go wrong is if you don’t try it in the first place. Even bad pizza is pretty good, and I can assure you, this one far exceeds all expectations.

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Hannah (BitterSweet)10 Comments

Get Your Game On, Go Play

The loss of play in the average adult’s life is downright tragic. It’s not like we ever outgrow the desire to have fun. We don’t sit down one day, make a spread sheet of all the extraneous things we can stand to lose (like guilt, shame, and misplaced emotions) and decide that the things bringing us joy, for no other purpose than to be happier in that moment, should be crossed off the list. What gives? Why do you have to be a “child at heart” to do something outside of work, just because you want to?

Forget that nonsense. I’ve spent too many years without any play, and now I’m taking it back. I’ve found my happy place at Cidercade, open to all ages and levels of maturity. Take your family, take your friends, take your dates, or just take your damn self; I’m tired of needing an excuse to get out and make merry.

What Games Can You Play At Cidercade?

For one flat fee of $10, you get all-day access to hundreds of arcade games. We’re talking new and retro, including pinball, fighters and shooters, sports like air hockey and skee-ball, racing, music like guitar hero and dancing; pretty much everything else you, your parents, or your kids ever loved. If you play your cards right, you can stay active and treat this as a cheaper alternative to a gym membership too.

What’s There to Drink and Eat At Cidercade?

Of course, the abundant options for hard beverages on tap might negate all those gains. All the drinks are Austin East Ciders exclusives, with lots of limited edition flavors you won’t find in cans. I’m forever craving the cream soda hard cider that popped up well over a year ago, but have never been disappointed by the classics, categorized by sweetness. For the non-drinkers, there’s unlimited Maine Root Soda option for just $4. They’re all made with cane sugar too, no corn syrup, presenting a distinct upgrade over the sticky fountain beverages of yore.

The real crowning glory of this establishment is the pizza. Honestly, these handmade pizzas have no right being so good. It’s an arcade, after all; shouldn’t the food be an afterthought? That’s certainly not the case here, where the pies come out fast and hot. Crispy, thin, and beautifully blistered crusts support a wide range of topping options, including perfectly gooey, fully melted vegan cheese. Caramelized onions and mushrooms are a must for me, which always comes out perfectly cooked and richly umami. I hear there are even gluten-free options, but haven’t been tempted to venture a taste.

There are five Cidercade locations across Texas, in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, and Arlington. Set aside time for your next play date today.

Hannah (BitterSweet)Leave a comment

Supernatural Supper

Night slowly descended and glowing orange lights flickered on as the witching hour drew nearer. We donned capes and pointed hats, impractically sloped heels and brittle broom sticks, preparing to take the town by storm. It was Halloween night, better than Christmas Eve in my young mind’s eye, and it was almost time for the show to begin. Untold treasures awaited at every turn, the thrill of the hunt pushing caravans of candy-crazed children deeper into the bowels of the city, seeking a sugar high that comes but once a year. Oversized empty bags at hand, we were ready to cause mayhem.

But then the doorbell rang. It wasn’t an early batch of trick-or-treaters beating us to the chase, but the pizza man. One can’t plunder on an empty stomach, after all.

Equally important to the ritual and tradition, my family always ordered pizza before embarking on the annual Halloween candy crawl. Turns out I wasn’t alone; the busiest night of the year for pizza delivery and takeout is Halloween, beating out even Super Bowl Sunday.

Like ordering Chinese takeout on Christmas Day, I thought it was something quirky and unique to my family, but it turns out everyone else was hip to the trend all along. Of course, these old school pies were nothing special; just your average cheese and/or pepperoni options. Maybe it would have been more remarkable if there was a more thematic meal to suit the moonlit masquerade ahead.

Something with a mysterious, mischievous black crust, dark as night, perfumed with a hint of smoke enhanced by a lightly charred surface. Thin, crisp, yet structurally sound, it has no trouble bearing the weight of abundant autumnal toppings. Classic red sauce can take the night off when pumpkin steps up to the plate. Spread richly over the surface, that creamy, garlicky sauce combines the natural sweetness of everyone’s favorite orange squash with the savory flavors of nutritional yeast. Tender sweet potato slices seal the deal, contrasted with sharp red onion slivers and a touch of hot red pepper flakes for a devilish finish.

Before you send your little ghouls and goblins off to collect their sugary plunder, don’t forget to fill them up with something a bit more satiating. The witching hour will come to pass in the blink of an eye, but the memories of the time leading up to it will last a lifetime.

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Hannah (BitterSweet)5 Comments

Yes, Peas

“Congratulations San Francisco, you’ve ruined pizza!”

Harsh words for an innocent little slice. The catalyst for this outburst was a pie topped with verdant green broccoli florets. A perfectly reasonable addition, in my opinion, but far from the kid-approved standard menu that one might expect. If you too find unconventional vegetables adorning the typical thin-crust construction wholly offensive, I’d suggest you shield your eyes. Click away, don’t scroll any further, and let’s pretend like this never happened.

Are you still with me? Good! I knew we were friends for a reason.

Pea-zza, a springy seasonal variant on the classic, is lavished with tender sweet peas, of course, as well as crisp raw snap peas. Delicately nuanced and herbaceous cashew spread joins the party, rather than a gooey mozzarella that might otherwise smother such subtle flavors. If we’re going to put peas on pizza, we might as well change the whole game, right? Elevated to the status of gourmet fare with that simple substitution, you could easily serve this to the most discerning gourmet without batting an eyelash.

That’s not the final twist, though. Creamy coconut yogurt, flecked with lemon zest, lends brightness, lightening the whole affair in ways that defy its underlying richness. All yogurt is not created equal, and I have to admit, the stuff that Cultured Kitchen makes was largely the inspiration for this whole culinary experiment. Thicker than sour cream, completely unsweetened, just a tiny dab will satisfy. I found myself using it more like a whipped topping to accompany fresh berries than anything else.

It tortures me that it has such a limited release! There’s not even information about it online, and it’s unlikely I’ll encounter such a treat in regular grocery stores. If you’re in the same boat, all is not lost. In the case of this fresh flatbread, simply opt for a non-dairy yogurt without any added sugar or flavor, and omit the lemon juice, doubling down on the zest instead to prevent the drizzle from becoming too watery.

Please, give peas a chance. If it helps you wrap your mind around this crazy combination, think of it more as a seasonal flatbread, piled high with the best that nature has to offer. Your average onions, mushrooms, and olives can wait; this limited edition novelty is one to savor right away, while those lush green peas are still perfectly plump.

Yield: Makes 1 Pizza; 3 - 4 Servings

Pea-zza (Pea Pizza)

Pea-zza (Pea Pizza)

Pea-zza, a springy seasonal variant on the classic, is lavished with tender sweet peas, of course, as well as crisp raw snap peas.

Ingredients

Pizza Crust:

  • 1 Pound Prepared Pizza Dough
  • All-Purpose Flour (As Needed)
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 3 Tablespoons Minced Garlic
  • 1/4 Cup Nutritional Yeast (Optional)

Pizza Toppings:

  • 1/2 Cup Herbed Cashew Cheese
  • 1 Cup Fresh Peas, Blanched or Frozen Peas, Thawed
  • 1/2 Cup Sugar Snap Peas, Sliced into 1/2-Inch Lengths
  • 2 Tablespoons Toasted Pistachios
  • 2 Scallions, Thinly Sliced
  • Flaky Sea Salt
  • Ground Black Pepper

Lemon Yogurt Drizzle:

  • 1/3 Cup Unsweetened Vegan Yogurt
  • 1 – 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
  • 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees and lightly grease a large baking sheet or pizza stone.
  2. Press the pizza dough out roughly into a flat round, lightly dusting both sides with flour. Pull and toss by hand or use a rolling pin to stretch it out to approximately 10 inches in diameter. Brush the entire surface with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with the garlic and nutritional yeast, if desired.
  3. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until dough is thoroughly browned all over.
  4. While it’s in the oven, prepare the yogurt drizzle by simply mixing up all the ingredients in a bowl. Set aside for the moment.
  5. When you crust is hot and ready, slather it generously with the cashew spread and top with the peas, snap peas, pistachios, and scallions. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with the yogurt sauce, slice, and serve immediately.

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 594Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 656mgCarbohydrates: 95gFiber: 10gSugar: 8gProtein: 22g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.

© Hannah Kaminsky
Cuisine: American / Category: Main Dishes and Entrees

 

Hannah (BitterSweet)12 Comments