Never let it be said that Rhode Islanders don't know their pizza.
Pizza is a way of life here. On Federal Hill, the most Italian neighborhood in the most Italian state in the country, even the local bar grills pizza in a wood-fired oven. Thick crust or thin, from North Providence to Newport, you can find above-average pizza everywhere, including in our middle-of-nowhere village five miles up the road.
And, because we love our pizza, every market sells fresh pizza dough, often from the local pizzeria or from a comissary not more than a few minutes from the store.
I hope you can find ready-to-use pizza dough in your regular grocery store; it's a great convenience food that will help you get a healthy, original pizza on the table in minutes. My local market stocks white, whole wheat, and organic variations.
You can purchase white or whole wheat pizza shells, too, if you like your pizza round and thin. I'm partial to the freeform shapes I can get by rolling out the dough myself; I like to control the thickness of the pizza crust, and sometimes to fold in cheese or herbs or a sprinkling of crunchy salt and black pepper. And the dough is more versatile than the pizza shells.
Keep fresh pizza dough wrapped in a plastic bag, in the coldest part of your refrigerator. If you don't plan to use it within a day or two of purchase, store it in the freezer so the yeast doesn't start to ferment, which will make your dough taste a bit like beer. Defrost the dough in the fridge, and bring it to room temperature, to allow the gluten to relax, before you try to roll it out.
Whether your dough is store-bought, or homemade like my favorite easy whole wheat pizza dough, you'll love having it on hand for spur-of-the-moment calzones, spirals, tomato and mozzarella rolls, or pizza in a bite. And for pizza, of course, topped with good things from your pantry: tomato and pesto, garlic and shrimp, bacon and eggs, or maybe ice cream and chocolate sauce.
-------------------
Tomorrow is my birthday, and I'm planning to treat myself to a new cookbook or two. Or three.
As you already know, my bookcases are overflowing, and I need to make room for my birthday presents. So I'm giving you a gift for my birthday: a free giveaway of 10 cookbooks, one to each of 10 readers of The Perfect Pantry.
Most of the books are like new or very gently used. A few were sent to me for review. You might find a forgotten bookmark or scribbled note inside, but no pages stuck together with old blobs of dough or spilled olive oil.
The books represent a range of cuisines and cooking techniques, including Julia Child, China Moon, and recipes for goulash, garlic, and garage cooking. Some are quite new, some a bit older. Please let me surprise you.
All you need to do to be eligible to win a free cookbook is leave a comment on any post on this site between now and 11:00 p.m. Eastern US Time on Friday, January 23.
The following Saturday, one of my "random generators" will pull 10 comments out of ... well, out of a bowl, or pot, or something. (Note: Shipping available worldwide for this giveaway.)
So, go ahead, leave a comment -- and tell us about your favorite cookbooks, your favorite pizza, or your favorite birthday presents.
PEACHY MAMA PIZZA
I could eat this every day of the week, and twice on my birthday. My friend Julia, of Grow.Cook.Eat., gave me the peppers -- my first taste of peachy mamas -- and Peter, who guest blogs from his pousada in Brazil, made the pizza in my kitchen last month. Proportions are approximate; use as much or as little of each ingredient as looks good to you. Serves 2 for lunch, 6 as an appetizer.
1/2 lb fresh pizza dough
1-2 tsp olive oil
1/2 medium sweet or red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup butternut squash, cut into thin strips or small dice
Cornmeal, for the pan
1/3 cup total shredded cheddar and gouda (or your favorite cheeses)
3 Tbsp chopped peachy mama or roasted red pepper strips
Drizzle of olive oil
Sprinkling of fresh coarsely-ground black pepper
Preheat oven to 425F, and take dough out of the refrigerator to come to room temperature.
In a small nonstick frying pan, heat 1 tsp of oil, and add the sliced onion. Cook over low heat for 10-12 minutes, until onions are lightly caramelized. Remove the onions to a plate, and add another tsp of oil to the pan. Add the squash, and saute until browned and caramelized. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Flour your work surface, and roll out the dough as thin as you like it, less than 1/2 inch thick. On a flat baking sheet, sprinkle cornmeal (it will act like ball bearings to keep your pizza from sticking). Lay the dough on the baking sheet. Spread the cheese all around on top of the dough. Arrange onions and squash around the surface. Sprinkle peachy mamas here and there. Drizzle with a little bit of olive oil, and season with black pepper. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until cheese is melted and crust is lightly browned. Serve hot.
More recipes in The Perfect Pantry:
Pizza bianca
One-rise pizza dough
Scallion pancake pizza
Pasta puttanesca
Asparagus-gruyere tart
We lost two big branches off our peach tree last summer. The peaches got too big for the small little branches. I'll try peaches on pizza next fall. Yummy
Posted by: Mary livaudais | January 15, 2009 at 12:36 AM
Happy Birthday Lydia, My favorite pizza is a vegetable pizza - onions,mushrooms,red/yellow peppers,tomatoes,green olives. If I make pizza at home I use the above mentioned vegetables and add fresh spinach that I heat up until wilted. Yum! Love your site!
Posted by: Helen from Ohio | January 15, 2009 at 12:48 AM
Wow, love the peachy mamas. I love all cookbooks, it's hard to say NO!
Posted by: noble pig | January 15, 2009 at 02:05 AM
Happy Birthday! My favorite pizza is usually any variation of a white pizza -- lots of garlic, feta, spinach and onions! Yum! And a great crust, of course :). Thanks for the giveaway!
CaitlinHyla@gmail.com
Posted by: Caitlin H. | January 15, 2009 at 02:09 AM
I stuffed myself with popcorn so I am not hungry right now and your pizza is still making my mouth water. MMMMMMM! Mango and peaches on pizza are yummy just like pineapples. Too bad our peachtree in our rented home got too heavy laden and all the branches broke off our first year here ):
Posted by: Page | January 15, 2009 at 02:28 AM
I have to admit that I do like the convenience of ready made dough. However, I prfer using whole wheat flour and unfortunately we do not get ready made dough with that. I often make my own and after one of the DB challenges realize that putting the dough overnight in the fridge to rise for the next day works brilliantly!
Posted by: Meeta | January 15, 2009 at 02:56 AM
My favourite pizza has a topping of autumn chanterelles and Västerbotten cheese. A Swedish take on an Italian favourite ... Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Helena | January 15, 2009 at 03:03 AM
Happy Birthday Lydia! Lucky you to have access to fresh pizza dough from the store. Do you know where the seeds for Peachy Mama peppers came from? I googled to no avail and also checked the Grow.Cook.Eat website and couldn't find anything.
Posted by: Laurie Constantino | January 15, 2009 at 05:44 AM
Happy Birthday!! I, too, am curious to find out more about the peachy mama peppers. Might be fun to grow this summer. As for peaches from the tree, I will always associate them with the delicious black bean soup you made with the peach salsa!
Posted by: Lucia | January 15, 2009 at 06:06 AM
There is some frozen pizza dough in the freezer right now! I bought it recently because I had never tried it, but hadn't had a chance to use it yet. This will be another chilly weekend, so it will be a good time to give it a try!
Posted by: T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types | January 15, 2009 at 06:14 AM
I think we'll try to grow some peachy mamas -- if we can find the seeds. We make pizza almost every week. With a base of softened or browned onions, it doesn't matter what else you put on the pizza. I've never tried winter squash.....
Posted by: Mary Harman | January 15, 2009 at 06:18 AM
What a coincidence! I have a birthday pizza too. Mine is in October, when pomegranates are in season.. and I top it with pomegranates and portobellos. Here's a link to the recipe. http://www.growcookeat.com/2008/11/birthday-pizza.html
I love what you did with the peppers! I'm always looking for new ideas. I'm sorry to say that the seeds, unfortunately, are not available for sale... Brett doesn't purchase seeds, he cultivates his own from each year's crops to sow in the following year.
Posted by: Julia | January 15, 2009 at 06:53 AM
Happy Birthday! Love the post and the pizza sounds fabulous. I love a good breakfast pizza and make a wicked hash brown pizza with carmelized onions.
Posted by: Ronnie from Around the Table | January 15, 2009 at 07:02 AM
Happy Almost Birthday! Hope you find the perfect cookbooks! Here, we do not have the luxury of ready made pizza dough. But I have found that using a no-knead recipe does the trick for me each week. I love a good BBQ chicken pizza. Tasty!
Posted by: Gretchen Noelle | January 15, 2009 at 07:22 AM
My favorite set of cook books is the entire annual Southern Living series starting back from 1979. I think that was the very first one. I found these on ebay and love reading old recipes and thinking about flavors. Kudos on your blog--it is awesome!
Posted by: Treehouse Chef | January 15, 2009 at 07:25 AM
I understand the cookbook overflow. I've got a bunch myself. My wife is always telling me I don't need another cookbook but it's so hard to pass them by. If you don't have it you might want to check out The Cake Book by Tish Boyle. It's just awesome. Every cake I've made out of it is just wonderful. I've give away 3 copies to friends and family as gifts I love it so much.
Love the blog and keep the articles coming and Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Joshua Cauble | January 15, 2009 at 07:27 AM
Congrats on your birthday! I love pizza. There's a great restaurant near where I live that offer spelt crust and make your own toppings, so I'm in heaven: wholegrain crust with pesto, artichoke hearts, olives, onions, and grilled eggplant. MMM!
Posted by: Ricki | January 15, 2009 at 07:30 AM
Happy Birthday! One can NEVER have too many cookbooks! The pizza looks wonderful.
Posted by: Melynda | January 15, 2009 at 08:15 AM
I hope you treat yourself to something luxurious this year for your birthday!
I will start scouring my local NC grocers for ready-made pizza dough-sounds like an adventure to me!
Posted by: Natasha | January 15, 2009 at 08:23 AM
Happy Birthday!!! I would say ALL pizza is my favorite! I couldn't pick just one. Lucky you to have that fresh dough in your stores!!!
Posted by: Bridget | January 15, 2009 at 08:25 AM
Happy Birthday! Just what I don't need...another cookbook. I just can't help myself!!! I love them! The pizza looks very yummy!
Posted by: Erica | January 15, 2009 at 09:15 AM
Happy Birthday Lydia! Your photos look smashing and I had such a wonderful day cooking with you. Let's do it again soon - how about a photoshoot here in São Gonçalo? It's kind of weird to see my hand on your blog...
Posted by: Peter | January 15, 2009 at 09:17 AM
I'm so used to finding fresh dough in the dairy section of RI stores that I was sort of shocked when we were in PA and I wanted to make pizza frit for my nieces and the closest thing they had was the canned Pillsbury stuff. I never realized how lucky we are - I just assumed it was commonplace!
Posted by: Anne | January 15, 2009 at 09:25 AM
Happy Birthday! What an interesting pizza. I can't wait to try it!
Posted by: Camille | January 15, 2009 at 09:25 AM
I LOVE cookbooks. My favorite is my mother's 30 year old Better Homes and Garden cookbook.
Posted by: Bridgett S. | January 15, 2009 at 09:28 AM
We are lucky to have fresh pizza dough at Trader Joe's. That's one of my favorite quick fix meals or snacks. What ever is on hand is what goes on top, carmelized onions are a must. Happy Birthday
Posted by: Brenda | January 15, 2009 at 09:32 AM
Happy Birthday to you and me as well! My birthday is saturday. I have a much bigger kitchen now so more room for my growing collection of cookbooks, wooden spoons, gadgets and the old church pew to chat with family while I cook. Maybe I'll make pizza this weekend...
Posted by: sarah | January 15, 2009 at 09:34 AM
Happppppy Birthday Lydia, Yet another good idea! You keep on giving--have a great week. bev
Posted by: Bev Thomas | January 15, 2009 at 09:47 AM
ooo - we usually buy pizza dough from the pizza place around the corner - i always mean to make my own though! i love veggies on all pizza - but a particular new favorite is pizza with plums, carmelized onions, blue cheese and pine nuts - delish!
Posted by: Jenny | January 15, 2009 at 10:01 AM
wow, I suppose the odds are not high to win this cookbook giveaway.. not that i have the room anyway. my boyfriend makes a pizza with marinated grilled zucchinni and carrots, which he mandolins.. they get crunchy and sweet on a white pizza.. sometimes he grills the dough too :)
Posted by: amy | January 15, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Happy birthday and many happy returns!
I wondered about peaches on pizza until I read thru the recipe and learned that those mamas are peppers.
Posted by: mae | January 15, 2009 at 10:31 AM
I stock up on fresh whole wheat pizza dough at Trader Joe's. It's delish any way you make it. We love just about any type - and there's no delivery where I live, so TJ's dough gets used A LOT!
Posted by: Tammy | January 15, 2009 at 10:45 AM
I've never seen fresh pizza dough in the grocery store, only "Boboli" pre-baked round breads... so I usually make my own, but that takes time. Maybe I can persuade my grocery store to start carrying it.
Posted by: Catherine Warren | January 15, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Happy Birthday to you! Your pizza sounds perfect for a celebration. Hope you enjoy a beautiful day- and a fun, creative, delicious year. xox (Don't enroll me in the giveaway- I just wanted to send B-day wishes.)
Posted by: Karina | January 15, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Love pizza!!!!!!!!! It's one of the major food groups, isn't it????? Have a great birthday and wishes for many more.
Posted by: Pauline | January 15, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Happy Birthday! Your pizza looks delicious.
Posted by: The Food Hunter | January 15, 2009 at 11:15 AM
I love making my own pizza--and never knew that it can be stored in the freezer! So exciting!
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Rachel | January 15, 2009 at 11:20 AM
happy bday - my favorite pizza was made last friday with anchovies, sauteed baby bellas and sausage.
Posted by: Anu | January 15, 2009 at 11:28 AM
I love the name of this pizza! Homemade pizza is so delicious.
Posted by: Deena | January 15, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Happy Birthday
Rupert
Posted by: rupert | January 15, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Happy Birthday!
I love cookbooks!
I take them out at the library almost every week to find something new to make.
Our family also does twice a month on a Friday night, homemade pizza night and a movie, or game night. We love this tradition! :)
Thanks
Posted by: Monica Bertone | January 15, 2009 at 12:07 PM
happy birthday and thanks for the giveaway
Posted by: mindy | January 15, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Happy Birthday!!!! That pizza looks delicious! I'm a Joy of Cooking girl but I also have weakness of too many cookbooks...but they are so much fun to flip through when im lacking inspiration! have a great birthday! :)
Posted by: Ginny | January 15, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Pizza, how I love thee!
Happy Birthday :-) I, too, love collecting/using cookbooks.
Marlana
Posted by: Marlana | January 15, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Great giveaway. Thanks for the chance. My favorite pizza is a french onion soup pizza served at a restaurant near me.
Posted by: Anya | January 15, 2009 at 01:00 PM
I think you know the front runner right now for my favorite birthday gift! :) Although, you can never go wrong with a cookbook or two!
Posted by: Maris | January 15, 2009 at 01:08 PM
Must. Try. This. Recipe. I've gotten out of the habit of making homemade pizza, and this is a perfect excuse to get back into the swing of things.
More importantly...happy birthday, Lydia! I hope tomorrow is full of happiness and wonder for you, as well as all the moments you love best! Be sure to let us know what cookbooks you find for yourself. I recently reorganized my own collection (and made a little room in the process), so I'm on the lookout for positive reviews.
My favorite birthday present? The bicycle I got when I turned 10. It was yellow, had a vinyl banana-shaped seat, and a flowered (plastic) wicker basket attached to the front. Forget the fact that I nearly killed myself on it, that bike was glorious!
Posted by: Sandie | January 15, 2009 at 01:54 PM
Happy birthday, Lydia! Can't wait to hear about the new cookbooks you gifted yourself with.
Posted by: Julie | January 15, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Happy early birthday! It was actually my birthday yesterday :) How generous with the cookbook giveaway! Hope you have a WONDERFUL birthday!
Posted by: Kaye | January 15, 2009 at 03:15 PM
Happy Birthday! I am glad you are getting something for yourself that you truely enjoy. As for my favorite pizza its for sure BBQ chicken pizza its very yummy. I also share your love for cookbooks especialy baking books those are my favorites
Posted by: Tara | January 15, 2009 at 03:40 PM