What I learned from "The City of Brotherly Love!"

Years ago, in my Environmental Consultant days, I lived outside Philadelphia and worked primarily in New Jersey and New York, the holy grail of contamination and East Coast style pizza! It was then that I fell in-love with the East Coast classic, "White Pie." The white pie is a pizza covered in roasted garlic, mozzarella, ricotta, salt and pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil; not to be confused with "Pizza Bianca," which is plain dough, baked with olive oil, rosemary, and Kosher salt, a Roman classic. I don't live on the East Coast anymore, so I had to create my own recipe for a white pie, which is pretty close to the original! If you love garlic, you'll love this pizza!

White Pie

Makes 1 large pizza

Ingredients:

1/2 recipe My Basic Pizza Dough

1 head roasted garlic, see Techniques

8 ounces grated mozzarella cheese, use the best quality you can get

About 5 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese, use the best quality you can get

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Olive oil, for drizzling

Directions:

Prepare pizza dough. Preheat oven to 500 degrees with rack on the lowest setting. When the dough is ready, roll it out as thin or as thick as you like it. Place it on an oiled baking sheet. Drizzle with a glug of olive oil and spread the roasted garlic across the dough with the back of a spoon, leaving room for the crust. Top with the grated mozzarella and dollops of the ricotta. Sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Bake according to My Basic Pizza Dough instructions. When done, add a drizzle of olive oil and allow to cool slightly, for the best flavor. Enjoy!

Celebrate Father's Day with Michael Symon's Grandma

Father's Day is almost here, and I don't know of one dad who when asked what he wants for Father's Day doesn't reply, "Nothing." I guess I can understand getting a gift that he probably doesn't want and probably pays for isn't that exciting. Unless your dad's a golfer, a sci-fi collector, or is really into ties, it makes celebrating them difficult. While dad doesn't want to pay for a trip to the Mediterranean, he would love a manly meal from the grill with some Greek flair. I've got the recipe for you - Michael Symon's "Yiayia's Smoked Pork Ribs!"

While I love my recipes for Memphis-Style Spare Ribs and Best Barbecue Ribs, these Greek-style ribs seem a little "lighter" and provide a new twist on classic barbecue. While Michael recommends cooking the ribs wrapped in foil, I think it's easier to cook them over a drip pan, rotating them occasionally. In addition, the combination of spices, herbs, and honey make these ribs truly memorable. I like to serve them with a Greek salad, loaded with tomatoes, olives, cucumber, and feta cheese. Yum! A wonderful starter (although not Greek) would be Bacon-Wrapped, Jalapeno and Cheese-Wrapped Shrimp. After all, you'll have the grill going anyway, and I guarantee any dad will flip for these spicy/cheesy shrimp!

Yiayia's Smoked Pork Ribs

Serves 4

Ingredients:

For the Rub

1 tablespoon garlic salt

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

2 teaspoons toasted and ground coriander seeds

Pinch of kosher salt

1 tablespoon dried oregano

2 racks spare-ribs, preferably St. Louis style cut, if possible (I cut them in half so they fit on my Weber.)

Juice of 1 lemon

For Barbecuing

3-4 handfuls applewood chips, soaked in water

1 aluminum roasting pan, to go under the ribs while on grill

For the Glaze

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon fresh oregano

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

For the Garnish

1 lemon, cut in half

Sea salt

1 tablespoon fresh oregano

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Drizzle of honey

Directions:

The day BEFORE you plan on cooking the ribs:

Mix together the dry ingredients to make the rub. Squeeze the lemon juice all over the ribs and then coat all sides with the rub, making sure to distribute evenly. Cover the ribs and refrigerate overnight.

When you're ready to barbecue the ribs:

Whisk together the glaze ingredients, set aside. Prepare a charcoal grill for barbecuing over medium-low heat (300-350 degrees).

Place an aluminum drip pan half full of water in the center of the fire bed. Sprinkle some of the wood chips on the coals. Place the ribs on the grill rack over the drip pan.

Cover and grill and smoke the ribs, rotating them every 30 minutes or so (the ribs along the outside will cook faster, so it's good to rotate to the inside, etc.) and adding more wood chips, more coals, and more water to the drip pan as needed.

After the first hour, brush the glaze on top of the ribs. Continue to cover, grill, and smoke the ribs until they are tender and a toothpick can easily be inserted between the ribs, about 2 1/2-3 hours. 

Just before the ribs are done cooking, grill the lemon halves flesh-side down until nicely marked and slightly soft, 3-5 minutes.

When the ribs are done, let them rest on a cutting board, loosely covered with foil for 10 minutes. To serve, cut the ribs between the bones and garnish with the grilled lemon, sea salt, oregano, olive oil, and honey.

Recipe adapted from foodnetwork.

Wine Doors and Pizza Napoli 1955

I am recovering from Achilles tendonitis after visiting my beloved daughter in the Renaissance city, Florence. What a beautiful city that escapes the modern aesthetic, choosing to live in it's past of medieval and Renaissance history and breathtaking art. I last visited Florence 24 years ago, and I can say nothing has changed! As Emiko Davies says in her lovely cookbook Florentine, " In every nook and cranny, history seeps out onto the well-trodden stone streets and into the every day."

The first time I visited, I was just out of college, newly married, and surprise pregnant with my first daughter. Although it was very early, I was not able to enjoy the wine culture of Florence. Total bummer. Although, this time I was ready for a party and my 19 year old daughter was able to celebrate with me! Perhaps the best time I have ever had! 

I have to admit the weather was a little chilly and rainy the entire trip, with the exception of Rome (which I will post about soon). With umbrella up, I was surprised to stumble upon the most lovely wine door! Completely by accident! These small stone arch doors, which are supposed to mimic the noble Renaissance palazzos to which they are attached, sold wine to passerby's to help struggling aristocratic families sell wine from their vineyards. Brillante!

I happened to stumble onto the wine door on my way to Pizza Napoli 1955, located Via Dei Neri 73/R, 50122, Firenze, Italia. Tired, wet, and hungry, I was met with a chair to rest, glass of wine, and the BEST pizza I have ever had! The best part is that when my pizza de bufala arrived in all it's pillowy glory, it was heart shaped! So delicious! I highly recommend checking it out if you are ever able! Anyway, when I got home I searched how to shape a heart pizza! I still use my go to My Basic Pizza Dough and this video! Mine didn't turn out as good as Pizza Napoli, but they've got 67 years experience! Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K0H0-hb9RY

(This is Pizza de Rossa, my daughter's favorite!)