It's not about the pizza

09/05/2020

pizza design for Kenosha in the think tank. thinking cheese curds, brats & beer.

Hometown
inspired by my beloved Kenosha community
sauce: roasted garlic olive oil
sprinkle shredded Tenutas white sharp cheddar
top with seared Tenutas brats soaked in Bits & Pieces IPA
crumble Mar’s Cheese Castle cheese curds
after bake
top w pickled onions & Apple Holler Granny Smith matchsticks

if you were to design a pizza for kenosha, how would you top it?

collaborating w fellow kenoshan korey & jen on "the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it" kenosha mural series was a remarkable experience. it sparked a desire to design a new pizza for my hometown. to build it w local ingredients and get local input.

when i start a pizza design and get stuck, i always call my pizza counselor nadine myers. her sicilian dad loved the kitchen. and loved people through it. his legacy lives on in her large heart. and her flavor profiling helps me stay centered.

ty for making time for a stranger and letting me rattle off my ingredient ideas and helping me see that the giardiniera would have competed with the other flavors. So grateful you are giving kenosha an elevated food experience

ty for sharing your passion for wellness and making my pizza smile!

@ applehollerwi  

 

09/01/2020

While painting our first mural, we met Little Sam. He invited us to come down the street and paint another mural at his gas station. As a boy his job was to stocked the coolers for his dad. Today he oversees the store that has become a bustling neighborhood hub. He wanted something to give his place and his community hope. We were honored to be painting in an area that had experience much tragedy. The readiness of people to engage with us and tell us their stories and perspectives felt like we were on sacred ground.

One of the most beautiful moments was when a woman got out of her car, looked up at the mural, and shouted out: “That’s me!” We had hoped that everyone would feel that in this series.

This mural boards up the window of The Ultimate Convenience Center on Sheridan & 60th St. Please support it and our local businesses.

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.
#2 in a series of 4

  .rose.lalgee .c.cooper

'

05/15/2020

So proud of my sister who is about to virtually teach a whole bunch of new friends in Orange County how to make pizza!

05/06/2020

joel & i are new raving fans of the parkside volleyball team! what an honor to connect with them via a virtual pizza night. Their passion, pride & intensity remain in these strange times. Can't wait to be in the stands cheering them on!

05/05/2020

Roasted Poblano Cream Sauce to make for a Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Love someone you’re quarantining with. Throw this sauce on pizza, sweet potato planks, tacos, nachos or something else she loves. Also freezes well to make a super swift meal in a pinch!

Quick & easy sauce that elevates any Cinco de Mayo dish!

04/22/2020

Today five avocados had the look of “use me or lose me.” At the very same time I was in my kitchen surrounded with prebaked pizza crusts. I was videoing how to make pizza dough for a virtual pizza night Friday with the Parkside Volleyball Team. I accidentally deleted my video and had to do it again. Mistakes can lead to wonderful moments.

Avocados were going to make their way onto a pizza for my sister Shelly & her new California friends. Since that trip couldn’t happen, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to get them on a pizza in their honor. Let’s call it “Avocado Toast!” Too bad there’s no “virtual” tasting. I had to call my sister and describe it to her. Then, following COVID-19 procedures, safely door dash some to friends!

04/15/2020

i was suppose to be in LA today. with my seventeen year old daughter during her spring break. visiting my baby sister & her family. sad to not experience being together, frolicking in the city, and making pizza with her new friends.

the one place i wanted to go was
the ENTIRE store is full of cookbooks. i am uncertain if i would make it out alive. my heart would be so happy it would burst.

but it is bursting now. because after i looked at their website i realized how much joy it would bring me to start a cookbook collection. went through the house and piled up my current collection.

my friend & kitchen designer jenny randomly sent me sonoko sakai’s “japanese home cooking.” even just the cover is mesmerizing. you can tell she is going to mentor you with more than just food.

my generous napa friend judy showered me with some of her local favorites and thomas keller’s masterclass inspired a hefty christmas present.

any cookbook recommendations??? want to make a mother’s day wish list!!!

Current collection:
Ad Hoc at Home by Thomas Keller
Alinea by Grant Achatz
Bottega by Michael Chiarello
Bouchon by Thomas Keller
Bouchon Bakery by Thomas Keller
Cakebread Cellars by Cakebread & Cakebread
Decanting Napa Valley by Michelle Higgins
Domaine Chandon by Jeff Morgan
French Laundry by Thomas Keller
Japanese Home Cooking by Sonoko Sakai
Model Bakery by Mitchell & Hansen
Mustards Grill Napa Valley by Cindy Pawlcyn
Napa Valley Entertaining by Blakesley Chappellet
Pizza Camp by Joe Beddia
Small Circle Issue 01 by Ben Grupe

03/16/2020

I love the co-founders reminder to be ready for what matters most. To be a refuge and comfort.

03/14/2020

Because Purdue University and Northwestern sent their students home, I got my two boys around the island making pizza! What a strange time. How comforting to be together. Enjoy everyone who gathers at your table.

@ Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

03/10/2020

as far as i can tell, the original quote is anonymous. i just enhanced it.