:HELP: California style Pizza cookoff competition

YEMTrey · July 2013

I have been chosen to participate in a cook off with some fellow beer enthusiasts of mine.

The theme is California pizza and two sides. I have wanted to do a pizza for a long time and with this being my first, it should be interesting. I'm coming to my fellow Eggheads for ideas. Pizza ideas. Side ideas. As well as can't miss dough recipes and cooking procedures.

I'm really excited to learn how to cook pizza on my XL Egg, but I don't want to embarrass myself at the same time.

Thanks for your help and feedback.

brianwdmn · July 2013

All of my pizza efforts have been on the safe side, tomato paste, mozzarella, fresh basil, pepperoni. I've heard it's best to think of pizza dough as a blank canvas. Whatever you like. Or whatever your kids will eat.

Tjcoley · July 2013

When I think California style pizza, the toppings are what stands out. Thin crust, topped with tomato sauce or pesto, topped with any combination of artichoke hearts, avocado, goat cheese, arugula, portabella, chicken, sun dried tomatoes, broccoli rabe or any fresh seasonal items.

six_egg · July 2013

Tjcoley said:

When I think California style pizza, the toppings are what stands out. Thin crust, topped with tomato sauce or pesto, topped with any combination of artichoke hearts, avocado, goat cheese, arugula, portabella, chicken, sun dried tomatoes, broccoli rabe or any fresh seasonal items.

I agree with one addition use fresh ingredients if possible.

Grillmagic · July 2013

Also do several pizza cooks before the main event! You Might as well have your set-up set-up right!

finster · July 2013

Gotta go green for Cali style. Pesto or carrot puree base. Avacado a must. I did a pesto, split green grapes, gorganzola topped with pine nuts recently. Think bright.

SmokinTiger81 · July 2013

I tend to definitely prefer thin crust. I think I found the best book on these thin crust pizzas, as well as easy crust recipe inthe book. And the crust is cooked on both sides--one side is first grilled on the grill grate, then that cooked side becomes top of the pizza--and this firms up thin crust so you can load up with ingredients. Here is a link to my posts on prior pizza cooks--including photo of the book, crusts, etc. Good luck--I do highly recommend the book pictured in the post--very creative and different combos of toppings in the book:

http://www.greeneggers.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=1184253&catid=1#

SmokinTiger81 · July 2013

Sorry--I double posted the link to prior pizza cooks--here is correct link to the second cook

http://www.greeneggers.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=1186719&catid=1#

YEMTrey · July 2013

Thanks for the suggestions and ideas. One I get more details on the comp, I plan on doing a couple of test runs.

:HELP: California style Pizza cookoff competition

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