Wednesday, October 29, 2008

A Cameo Appearance by...


To be honest, I was a little scared when I read what the challenge for this month was. Just a little.

Well, I mean, I've made pizza dough before, but have never used the 'toss' method. This method is a nightmare for a control freak like me. Thankfully, I have help on hand. A veteran pizza maker who also happens to be yours truly's boyfriend. Isn't that convenient? The challenge suddenly turned from something daunting to something I was looking forward to.


I just hope Rosa doesn't mind the help I was getting. Not that I didn't try, but the photos of him tossing the dough turned out much, much better. Seriously. The photos he took of me tossing the dough turned out so tragic I would have to implore you to spare me from putting it up on a public domain such as this.

So, moving on to the more important topic of toppings and sauces. I decided on a sweet pizza, despite J's protests. I decided that since we are going into summer (actually today feels more like early, early spring), I might as well do something light and easy. Fruits immediately came to mind. But not just any fruits. I specifically wanted tropical fruits. Blame it on my recent trip back home. I wanted to recapture all the flavours of the tropics in this pizza.


So I decided on a pineapple 'carpaccio' pizza topped with rockmelon, mango and watermelon brunoise, with a drizzle of pine nuts-mint herb oil and a garnish of mint julienne. You don't have to tell me that it sounded doubtful; believe me, I know. But despite all, I decided to go along with this combination.

It actually did not taste bad at all. But there is definitely room for improvement. Like not overbaking the pizza crust, resulting in a hard shell with a slight bitter taste. Or adding more pine nuts-mint herb oil. Or caramelising the pineapple 'carpaccio' before putting them on the crust. Or using a fruit compote rather than herb oil to impart more sweetness to the pizza.

But overall, I'm pretty happy with this first attempt. All that's left is to play around with the component to get the best possible result. After all, that's what being a DB is all about, no?

A big thank you to Rosa for choosing this month's theme and recipe; J thought it made a really, really good pizza dough, and even asked if I could print him a copy to take home!

31 comments:

Y said...

Awesome awesome photos, Christy! Especially the tossing ones. And those colours on your pizza.. man! Lovely doesn't even begin to describe it :)

Vera said...

Christy, what an amazing pizza! So bright and colorful! Kaleidoscope is what came first to mind.

linda said...

Wow, the pizza looks so pretty! Love the improvement of caramelising the pineapple.
Would have been fun though to have some pics of you tossing ;) But I must say I like the professional look of your boyfriend ;)

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Great tossing pictures! Your pizza looks fantastic! Very well done, wow!

Cheers,

Rosa

Cannelle Et Vanille said...

the pizza looks fantastic christy! and that pizza tossing... wow...

Lorrie said...

Your pizza looks so lovely and its nice to have an in house tosser haha

natalia said...

I love your pizza !!

Lynn said...

Wow, a true pizza tosser! Is that even correct? Pizza tosser? But, the pictures look fabulous, good work.

Helene said...

I don't know which is hotter, your pizza or your boyfriend?!!! Tell him, he can be the DB pizza boy anytime :)
Your pizza is a true artist's palette! Absolutely gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Hahaha, I agree with Tartelette ;-). Great job -- the pizza looks delicious!

Mallory Elise said...

um, Christy, your boyfriend looks like a Calvin Klein model. damn!!!! screw the pizza! even though those little chunks of mango look incredibly good right now.

ps. the best thing about families that don't have any recipes and don't cook unless it comes in a bag is---we start the family recipes!at least your family knows you're a chef. mine just thinks i'm nuts. :)

Dewi said...

Deng... That is the best tossing I've ever seen, just great, and ohhhh how convenient indeed. Lucky you!

Your pizza sound really delicious, No doubt here!

Anonymous said...

Looks amazing--- both the pizza and the tossing! Bravo!

Lesley said...

I think that's the fanciest pizza I've ever seen! Great job, beautiful "bon appetit" photos!

Unknown said...

Holy goodness... your pictures are fantastic. Terrific job on this months' challenge (and ps... your bf is very handsome... and tosses one mean pie!!!)

onesilentwinter said...

How beautiful looking this is -I am talking about the pizza :)!!! no truly so beautiful and bright. what a wonderful visiual post!!!

onesilentwinter said...

i love your new header as well!!

Big Boys Oven said...

hahahahha I truely agree with you that your male model did a good job tossing the pizza dough and looks so gorgeous ... I mean the whole photos lol! Love the topping too and so well captured and so beautiful!

Mary said...

The photos of the pizza are amazing...It made me wish you were a restaurant I could go to!

Thip said...

He looks like a professional tossing. :)

Mallory Elise said...

this is random---but what bloody template do you use in blogger to get your photos so large? i can't seem to figure out for the life of me how to get vertical photos to post the size that you have there...it's driving me nutters.

Holly said...

I can't believe how large the crust was in the tossing photos! Was that 1/6 the dough?

The photos look fantastic and I love the colors in the tropical pizza. Have fun experimenting!

Anonymous said...

Nice pizzas, nice choice of toppings. Well done. I only wish I had a professional pizza maker to help me! Great photos.

rkhooks said...

I wish my boyfriend could toss a pizza like yours. Unfortunately the only thing mine would be good at in the kitchen is looking pretty ;-) Beautiful photos and posts. Keep up the good work. PS I've added you to my blogroll, page "Other tasty bites"

Mrs.French said...

terrific photos..yummy pizza!

marion-il en faut peu pour ... said...

fantastic pizza topping !!!! I love it !!!!!!
Do you know where I can purchase a pizzaiolo boyfriend ? :)))))))

Dee said...

Oh Lord, a dish doing a dish! Now I'm truly jealous!

Pea and Pear said...

Christy!! This is amazing!!! Looks so delicious. Spectacular!! And great shots!!!

Bonbon Oiseau said...

what a beautiful pizza and wonderful photos..good work on the help lady!

Shaheen said...

I love the colourful pizza. And your boyfriend is a pizza maker? Hold on to him. :D Great pic of him tossing plus, ahem, some eye candy. :P

Mallory Elise said...

sooooo what have you been up to. you died again. :) i'll cater your funeral. hehe. that's weird. im weird...sorry. :)