Pizza Party April 26th

[dusty]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

I wish I could have made it up over the hill to meet you and Dusty, but I was getting ready for my first pizza party with my mobile oven which happened on Sunday.

Scott, you are up and runnin' already? How did the party go? Happy with the oven?

dusty

[Frances]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

Good to hear how it went Acoma! Sounds as if you're doing really well with your oven. And your guests... (as for no-shows, the loss is entirely theirs, right?)

Its lovely watching an oven build and then seeing how much pleasure it gives.

About maning (womaning?) the oven yourself for a party - I find that even when I'm not cooking pizza, if several people come over at the same time, I'm usually rushing around trying to make sure everything ready and everyone is happy, and don't have much time to relax and mingle. Maybe that shows I need to improve my hosting skills... or maybe its just one of those things.

Pizza party = very busy = not much time for mingling with guests. But on the upside you get fantastic pizzas.

[gjbingham]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

Robert,
I think I would rather manage the oven for a party like that and let someone else deal with the dough and pizza prep. If you plan it well and the weather is good, you should be able to draw the crowd towards the oven - I think! The weather has still not been that good here to prove my theory.

[telehort]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

Robert -
It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I wish I could have made it up over the hill to meet you and Dusty, but I was getting ready for my first pizza party with my mobile oven which happened on Sunday.
I'm glad you had a great time!

[dusty]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

My wife shares this idea being that she says I am never truly seen outside the oven area. Right Dusty?

Well, I am happy with the ovens performance throughout.

Right!

You did a great job though. We had a good time. Thanks for having us.

At our parties, we make everyone cook their own! Leaves me with more time to mingle and have a beverage or two. Just give 'em a few tips and march them out there. Plus I think it gives them a greater appriciation for the oven. None of my friends have been intimidated by it, and cooking your own is fun. Besides, seems like there is always some "know-it-all" out there coaching folks. (You gotta know my friends).

Everyone has been very impressed. Some want to build their own now!

Your oven worked perfect. It was fun for me to see another one in action.

Thanks again - lovely family you got there Robert. Keep up the good work.

dusty

[Acoma]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

James, so true about people coming forward to get involved with the oven. Sad, since that is such a great moment.

As for the pizza dough, I had made them on Thursday, believing that a two day refrigerated rest would create more flavor (no sugar). The flavor of the dough was excellant. For storing, I use containers with tops, poking a hole for gas to exit. No need for explosions in the frig.

I made 30 dough balls, and I finished the party having 8 still. My wife made 6 desert pizzas that people melted over. I put the 8 remaining balls in a ziplock back, sprayed some olive oil inside, then reshaped the balls, and place them inside, then into the freezer.

The basil is what people mentioned created the most flavor. Of course the sauce was delicious. Wow, that took a day for my wife to make a large enough batch. Some left in the freezer.

I hope the kids on your end had a great time. Over at our place, they packed a trampelene and jumped forever.

[james]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

I was waiting to hear from you Robert.

Glad it went well; sorry about the no-shows. We need more. :-) How were the pizzas? Excellent? How will you improve in the future? How did you store you dough balls? Refrigerator or now refrigerator?

Happy to hear that the oven did well.

We cooked only for two other couples, plus kids, and I felt like I could have had more time talking with the neighbors. In this case, no one came forward and volunteered to help!

Maybe we just need help with oven management, letting us and our guests have fun and make the pizzas. One thought.

At our gathering, I made all the pizza bases -- I've stop trusting guests to do it -- and then left them free to decorate.
James

[Acoma]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

Well, the party went smooth. We unfortunately were unable to do photos due to time management being poor on my part. I was victim of oven duties. The guests were quite please with the pizzas and appetizers. Everyone was able to mingle, and no little groups formed. Unfortunately, some that had committed to showing up were in the end, no shows. These are of course people that will not be invited to future gatherings. My feelings are that it shows no respect. Dusty showed up with his lovely wife, and they appeared to have much fun. It is appreciative to see Dusty drive 2 hours to enjoy some pizza. Thank you. James, thank you for your generosity as well, and we wish you could have joined too.

I believe that from now on the best idea is to have someone else manage the oven for larger parties, which would be nice. My wife shares this idea being that she says I am never truly seen outside the oven area. Right Dusty?

Well, I am happy with the ovens performance throughout.

[sarah h]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

Have a great party, Robert!
(Hope the quakes don't interfere)
We who can't attend will expect lots of photos!

[Frances]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

Sounds great!

Have lots of fun!! (and don't forget the pics )

[james]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

Robert,
Have a great time. We just got back from the fund raiser here; boring -- I wish we had driven your way for some great pizza!

Enjoy all.
James

[gjbingham]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

Robert,
Thank you very much for the wonderful invitation. I sure wish I could come. The baseball schedule keeps us here unfortunately. I hope you have a great evening. Let us know how it turns out. The menu sounds scrumptious.
George

[Dutchoven]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

Hmmm...sounds really good...now if I could have just been a little closer to Reno....DANG!
Good luck and have fun!
Dutch

[Acoma]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

Tomorrow is the day. Lots of delicious sauce, with dough and oven ready. For those to be here, you will enjoy. For those that could not come, well......

MENU

Drinks:
Samuel Adams pale ale.
Red Wine.
Bibita Naturale D'italia soda. Various flavors.

Appatizer:
Pasta Prima- grilled chicken and mozzarella ravioli

Salad:
My mother in law makes the most memorable taco salad which may compete with my pizzas.

Main Course:
We will have basil, peperoni, mozzarella, provolone, peppers, sausage, mushrooms, onion, and garlic.

Dessert:
Chocolate chunks (white and dark), bananas, strawberries, and Nutella. All for the dessert pizzas.

[Inishta]

Re: Pizza Party April 26th

Frances.............I am cut to the quick..............Next time.........