Pizza Party

[hodgey1]

Re: Pizza Party

I'm looking for some non-stick baking mats and will let my guest make their pizza on these mats. Then I will transfer the pie to my peel. I'm hoping this will speed up the process by having less sticking dough problems

My experience has not been good with anything besides using a wood peel so maybe purchase some additional peels? Have people make their pie right on the peel? I've seen racks at restaurants where they stack wood peels with pizzas staged ready to go into the oven

Also I've seen metal slotted peels where you flour the heck out of the counter and make the pizza on the flour then grab a edge while sliding metal peel under. The slots then release the flour as you gently slide pie on it. I think they sell them here at the FB store. Check out the link of how they work.

[Las Vegas 2010 Pizza Expo, clip #10 - YouTube
/PHP]

[Greenman]

Re: Pizza Party

I too have used the baking paper. It does char around the outside but only needs to stay on for long enough for the base to start cooking. It is easily removed by sliding a metal peel between the pizza and the paper then it is straight onto the hearth.

Probably a long way from traditional but it works, as does starting the cooking process in a metal tray for a short while.

[Toomulla]

Re: Pizza Party

Congratulations on your success Mexman! When you figure out the sticky dough issue, be sure to post your solutions. I'm still making mistakes that result in calzones or pizza that feeds the fire gods



Please elaborate on this Toomulla, I've been afraid to try paper. You say unwaxed paper and to expect it to char, right? Asking the obvious here I know, but sometimes I'm obtuse.......You make the pizza on paper, use the peel to put it in & out of the oven? When do you remove the paper? Any secrets in your process. TIA

I see a response from greenman which is what I would suggest. The paper is often called Baking Parchment but regardless is designed for use on baking trays

[Mexman]

Re: Pizza Party

I suggest you try baking paper (not grease proof paper) as a first step it may char a bit but I have had success

I'm not planning on baking the pizza on the baking mat, I was hoping the pizza would not stick on the " Non-stick" mat while my guest were preparing their pizza. I would then transfer it to my peel for baking

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: Pizza Party

I used some IKEA cutting boards for prep mat. They work okay as long as you keep them floured up well and they don't sit too long on the mat until you transfer the pie to the loading peel (mine is wood). Another issue I find quite common is that guests overload there pies even though I tell them "less is best" and it makes the transfer harder.

[cobblerdave]

Re: Pizza Party

I used some IKEA cutting boards for prep mat. They work okay as long as you keep them floured up well and they don't sit too long on the mat until you transfer the pie to the loading peel (mine is wood). Another issue I find quite common is that guest overload there pies even though I tell them "less is best" and it makes the transfer harder.

G'day
Its hard getting the "less is best"message through.
I'm thinking next time is to get them to put the containers with thier preferred ingredients in front of me. They get what they want but I get to control how much of each goes on pizza. Recon its worth a try.
Regards dave

[Mexman]

Re: Pizza Party

I did something at my last pizza party that seem to help.
I give my short speech about. "Less is best" and then made several Pizza Margarita for them with very little toppings. Just cheese, sauce and Basil .
They were amazed how great it taste and be able to taste the dough instead of meatballs and Shrimp. I also give a short speech about how the consumer has been condition to thinking they are getting more for their money if their pizza is piled high with 10 different topping.
I noticed that the guest toppings dropped in half and everyone seemed to really enjoy the experience of eating a good Pizza.
One guy told me that, he thought he would never enjoy a pizza without a lot of meat on it.

[kanoer54]

Re: Pizza Party

For pizza parties of around 25 or fewer, we have great success with inviting someone with an 7 to 9 year old. Feed the kids first and then have them take the dough balls to pat out for everyone else's pizza. They usually have a blast playing with the dough, keeps them busy and makes them feel like they are helping...which they really are. We keep all of the ingredients in tubberware type bowls on the island and have everyone build their own pizza. We sprinkle corn meal on the wood peel before the dough and topping are put on. They bring out the peel to me and I slide the pizza into the oven. The wood peel immediately goes back to the kitchen for the next pizza. When the pizza is done, I pull it out with a metal peel, slide it on a cutting board next to the oven, cut it up how they want it and then slide it on to a paper plate. (Too many dishes for the dish washer with glass or ceramic plates with large parties). The newbies are amazed a great pizza only cooks for 90 seconds or so. Clean up is quick since we just have to pop the lids back on the bowls and move them to the frig. There is usually more clean up at the flour station than anywhere else.

One of the best pizzas I have tried came from a lady from Yugoslavia. Dough, EVOO, garlic, raisins and finely sliced scallions. Sounds weird but absolutely delicious.

[Mexman]

Re: Pizza Party

When the pizza is done, I pull it out with a metal peel, slide it on a cutting board next to the oven, cut it up how they want it and then slide it on to a paper plate. (Too many dishes for the dish washer

You must not be putting a whole 10 inch pizza on the paper plate. My wife has complained that out pizza dishes will not fit in the dishwasher because they are too large. I havn't seen paper plates that will hold a 12 in

[kanoer54]

Re: Pizza Party

Most of our pizza is around 10 inches. None are perfectly round, so consequently the do overhang the paper plates. Just part of the fun.

jon