Fresh Tomato Clam Focaccia

 

TALL blonde has always been a bit intimidated by making Focaccia bread, don't ask me why?   I have baked bread many times but Focaccia just seemed so specialized I feared it would become my personal culinary failure.  Then I saw  ATK (America's Test Kitchen) make their version and this is it.

The bread is an ATK recipe, the flavor packed topping is mine.  The dough is very hydrated with 2 cups of cool water and is so soft it doesn't hold its shape.  This is a no-knead dough.  Once mixed allow it to rise, fall and rise again.  This long proofing method reduces the amount of tight gluten molecules and the finished bread is so tender it melts in your mouth. The fresh tomato-clam topping is very flavorful and you won't miss the cheese. Look at that airy fluffy crumb pictured above. I have to thank ATK for this easy, melt in your mouth recipe. My husband and I are not big eaters but we gobbled up the whole pan in one sitting.

There is one draw back, a stand mixer is preferred.  You can mix it yourself but lifting weights at the gym is an easier workout.

Pizza Crust & A Dash More

 

Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay has posted his simple and perfect pizza crust recipe. Admittedly I can never resist a tweak so I always add A Dash More.

Using bread flour instead of all-purpose flour will give you a crispy crust and wonderfully filled with air bubbles and has a light chew without being gummy.  I added a link to my NoMato Red Sauce for those who are nightshade-intolerant (potato, tomato, eggplant, peppers, chilies) and craving a pizza but cannot abide the inflammation and indigestion.  NoMato Sauce is perfect for pizza or casseroles such as lasagne, although not recommended for a plate of standalone pasta as it does not adhere well. Happily, you cannot detect the lack of tomatoes.

Makes 2 10-inch pizza crusts.

Mango Chutney (or Peach)

Truth be told I developed this recipe to reverse engineer my most favorite brand of prepared Mango Chutney and very difficult to source.  This recipe is an amalgam of different flavor profiles to make the best Mango Chutney to throw into any dish at the last moment without much additional preparation.  This is terrific on any pan seared or poached white fish,or as a glaze on roasted lamb or your favorite pork ribs.  Even drizzled on a basic cheese pizza can bring sheer joy and delight to your taste buds with this sweet and acidic exotic elixir. I am truly proud to bring you this TALLBlonde Mango Chutney recipe.  Get a clean quart-sized jar ready as you will only need to make this recipe once a year. While this may seem laborious on its surface I would like to think it is so good you will make an effort to make it twice a year to replenish your well used and well enjoyed supply. When you consider $8 for an 8 oz. jar this is so worth making.

Pizza Slaw

TALL Blonde Pizza Slaw, what's that ??

Say bye-bye to that boring Margherita $4 grocery store frozen pizza. It is like a tired old 80's movie. Try this TALLBlonde Pizza Slaw on top of your next favorite Three Cheese Pizza.

The first time I ever had a pizza with a fresh tossed salad on top was at California Pizza Kitchen.  It was their Pear, Hazelnut, Gorgonzola pizza and freshly dressed salad leaves were thrown on top.  I was so intrigued and it's memory has never left me.  Now I have created the ultimate fresh topping...Pizza Slaw.

This "slaw" is perfectly married with a three-cheese pizza or a pepperoni pizza for added salt and that porky smoked flavor.  I like to add to my grocery store pizza fresh mozzarella slices and thinly sliced fresh onion before baking. It adds a nice richness and balance to the piquant slaw.

PIZZA Pear-Gorgonzola

Lamb Pizza

Fragrant - Flavorful - Rich - H O T