I have a general rule that I don't order food in a restaurant that I can make at home... whether I can do it for cheaper or not it doesn't matter..I just can't see spending money on a meal that I can make at home...
sure some things are better left to the professionals...certain ethnic foods require equipment, odd ingredients and generations of knowledge to get just right (Indian & Chinese for example...I can't be bothered when there are great places to get them around here for not a lot of money)
but there are a lot of things I CAN be bothered doing..I've become a half way decent cook over the years...being poor and liking good food..I have learned that a lot of what I get in restaurants I can easily replicate at least as well at home (usually for A LOT less and with better ingredients)
so now when I get something out that seems like it would be worth my time..I add it to my own repertoire..which on one hand is cool cause I can have it whenever I want..but on the other hand..it kinda sucks because if I follow my rule of not ordering things I can make at home..that doesn't leave much to get out...
basically the scope of things I venture out for is pretty limited these days...like I said..Indian, Chinese...and pizza!
as much as I love pizza..I just can't be bothered..sure I could make half way decent pizza..but that's it really..all it would be is half way decent..because I don't have the proper oven...
so basically any time I've wanted pizza..I either had to go out for it..or I was left with the old stand-by of my youth...the universal 'I don't have the time or energy to make real dinner' ENGLISH MUFFIN PIZZAS...everyone's had 'em...MOST people love 'em...somehow I married the one person on the planet who doesn't like english muffins (or english muffin pizzas)
which seriously sucked on those nights when I didn't have the time or the energy to make real dinner...I admit sometimes I'd make them anyway whether he liked it or not...but I always had this twinge of guilt...not that we don't all deserve a break once in a while..but here he is working hard all day and he comes home to some crap he'd rather not eat...I remember that feeling growing up..having a long day at school or whatever and coming home to some dinner I REALLY didn't like..it sucked! ...therefor english muffin pizza nights..although pretty rare..always kinda bothered me..it was like the guilt kinda overshadowed the ease of convenience...
that is until I discovered the skizza...
we have this restaurant nearby that makes these things they call skizzas (skinny pizzas) ...I had heard about them for years..everyone who had one said they were so awesome..and even though one of my bestest friends in the whole world worked there..I never went...I'm kind of a pizza snob
in general trendy pizza-things turn me off...good pizza SHOULD be skinny (thin crust) ...if you call it a skinny pizza or give it a stupid name like skizza you can usually count me out...I have a set idea on what a pizza should be (thin crust that folds in half easily, gets a good crack down the center but doesn't fall apart..the tip should flap over just a bit when you pick it up..the crust should be crisp on the bottom but slightly chewy and have good flavor..it is NOT just a vehicle for sauce and cheese! ...but the sauce and cheese have to be just right too) ...if yours doesn't meet my criteria..be gone <insert snobbish hand gesture> I don't want anything to do with it!
hey..I'm from New Yawk..what can I say? ...fugeddaboudit!!
anyway..one day I found myself in the town where the skizza is from...I was with my father so I anticipated issues regarding where to have lunch...but we had the monkey with us and she had had the skizza before..as I said..one of my bestest friends worked there and he had taken her there once a while back to make her lunch and show her off...so that is where she wanted to go..I wasn't all that hungry so I didn't really care
we ordered a couple of skizzas...and to be honest..I was pleasantly surprised..but as delicious as they were (and they were SUPER delicious!) for the price ($12 and up depending on your toppings) all I could see when I looked at them was how I could easily make them at home for A LOT less money (it's a sickness I tell you!)
I was pretty eager to try it because if the spousal unit liked it..it would be a GREAT alternative to english muffin pizzas...if this worked I could FINALLY have a guilt free 'lazy' dinner
needless to say (since I'm writing this post) my homemade version of skinny pizzas were a hit...I've made them MANY times in many variations..they take NO time..are SUPER easy and there's virtually NO mess to clean up after...I mean seriously..this shit is TRI-WINNING! (take THAT Charlie Sheen!)
it's a 'flatbread' crust...which to me looked like a flour tortilla..if it wasn't..it was damn close!! ...so that is what I used...having had mine and theirs..I gotta say..I really can't tell the difference
basically you slap on whatever you like on a pizza...I'm not generally one for buying pre-made, prepared products like sauces and whatnot...but there are a couple brands of pizzas sauce I love and have no problem using when I'm feeling lazy (muir glen..if it's on sale! ...and Don Pepino..I freakin' LOVE Don Pepino pizza sauce!!...I can only find it at one store..so whenever I'm there I stock up!!)
and it doesn't hafta be traditional pizza sauce...make a white pizza...or use BBQ sauce..and some leftover chicken..maybe some shredded jack or somethin'..I dunno be creative..use whatever ya like..or have in your fridge...
and they cook super fast (less than 5 minutes!!) ...just put the oven on 500 (or as high as yours goes..NOT broil!!) if you have a pizza stone..just slap it right on there like you would a regular pizza...I don't have one of them so I just use a cookie sheet which I hit with a bit of cooking spray (because god forbid I lose any bits of cheese that get stuck to the pan!)
of course nothing beats a real good NY style pizza...but I'm tellin' ya..this seriously works in a pinch..helps calm the pizza craving AND makes a GREAT guilt free lazy night dinner...but also looks cool enough to serve to company...you could even have a make your own pizza party..have lots of different toppings and let everyone create their own...the possibilities are endless!!
so what are ya waitin' for?? ...MANGIA!!
freaking love you!!!!
ReplyDeleteDid you read that pizza post I did? wait did I write it, or just post the pics on FB? hmmmm
I made this crazy white pizza, with steak and potatoes!!! I have pizza stones, oh I love them!!! but now I wanna try this! and Chris HATES the English muffin pizzas which sucks cause they are cheap and easy, I always thought he was the only one. now I know there's two people!
ok we need to get together!!!
I make pizza quesadillas for the kids...actually they make them themselves now. Super easy...flour tortillas, pizza sauce, toppings...only on one half of course...fold in half and place in a hot skillet, flatten with spatula, flip, flatten again...eat yummy goodness!!
ReplyDeleteA step up from the english muffin pizza!
Jessica ~ that's so funny that Chris hates the english muffin pizzas too!! ...personally I can't see hating ANYTHING slathered in sauce and CHEESE!! ...I want some steak & potato pizza!!
ReplyDeleteMimi ~ that's so funny...I usually fold my pizza in half like a quesadilla just cause I don't wanna dirty my pizza cutter (ANYTHING to avoid washing dishes!!) ...and on that note..if you did it in the oven like a pizza and folded it after..it would still get nice and crispy but not dirty a pan! ...maaan I'm LAZY!!
If you remember, and I'm sure you don't...
ReplyDeleteI *haaaaate* pizza!
But I do miss you blogging! About anything! :)
my theory is that you hate pizza because you've never lived in NY hahaha
ReplyDeleteI miss you blogging too...let's just do it!
think of something you like or that makes you happy..tell us something about you that we don't know..talk about the weather...whatever! :)
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI love pizza. And I'm from NYC.
ReplyDeleteWow you are back!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had pizza since I got back from Italy... Even a skinny crust, not the same.
I'm sorry...for some reason it sent your comment in for moderation! :/ I had no idea it was there!
ReplyDeleteand as you can see I've been slackin' ..ALREADY haa
no I'm sure it's not the same! I'm afraid to go to italy ever..I may never see food the same way again hahaha