Kap and Mina's Sunday Afternoon Tailgate (Week 5)

We are a quarter of the way through the season and running strong. In fact, we're actually doing our Sunday Afternoon Tailgate on Sunday afternoon this week--a novel idea!


Pizza has a reputation as the lazy tailgater's solution: you swing by the local pie shop and pick one up when you don't feel like spending any time in the kitchen.


Last year, however, our pizza tailgate was pretty popular. Why? Because pizza is the perfect hand food, and it is fun coming up with unique topping combinations!


We started off with a master list of nearly 50 pizza ideas, ranging from the reserved (wild mushroom pie) to the unusual (brunch pizza) to the downright bizarre (peanut butter, bacon, and bananas a la Elvis). Together we whittled it down to these two delicious pies . . .

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"Unique Pizza"

A Note About Crust

Just like we did last year, we are going to lay out your dough, top it with ingredients in the order shown (as much or as little as you'd like--with pizza it's always best to eyeball it), and bake each pie in a 425-degree oven (preferably on a pizza stone) for 12-15 minutes (or, for those using refrigerated dough, follow the directions on the package).


We are using pre-made pizza crust to save time, but feel free to make your own. If you've never made crust before and want a homemade recipe, this one is pretty easy.

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WHITE KNIGHT PIZZA

Not all members of my Italian family like tomatoes, but we're lucky that this white knight pizza comes to rescue the tastebuds on fourth down! Pile on the garlic and different types of cheeses, and top it with pickled veggies. It's an easy, savory tailgating treat. 

-Mina

• Dough of choice, white flour preferred (we're using pre-made dough to save time)
• Extra- virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• 2 cups ricotta
  
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  
• Handful flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
  
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella or provolone (1 pouch)
  
• 1 cup of Fontina cheese (or maybe 4-6 slices) 
  
• 1 Cup of Asiago cheese (again, maybe 4-6 slices) 
  
• Italian Pickled Vegetables, spicy or mild (these can be homemade or purchased in the olives/pickles section of your supermarket)
• 10 fresh basil leaves about 1/2 cup, shredded
  
• Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
• Italian Seasoning

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil around the crust and season liberally with Italian Seasoning. Mix the ricotta cheese with garlic and parsley and season it with salt and black pepper. Spread the ricotta across the dough. Top the pizza with mozzarella, Fontina and Asiago, as well as a light sprinkling of the pickled vegetables. Bake until crispy, approximately 12-15 minutes. Top the white pizza pie with the shredded basil leaves, and broil on high for 3- seconds to a minute. Cut and serve.

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THE SUPERMAN
"Because it's your 'hero'"

This pizza combines two tailgating traditions: pizzas and sandwiches. What makes this pie unique is that you can serve it with cold cuts or hot deli meat--it just depends on when you apply the toppings. Either way, it is a pie worthy of a superhero.

-Kap

• Dough of choice, white flour preferred (we're using pre-made dough to save time)
• Extra-Virgin Olive oil, for drizzling
• Salt, Pepper, and Italian Seasoning, to taste
• 1 clove of Garlic, minced
• 1 bottle of Sun-dried Tomato Salad Dressing
• 1 lb. Provolone, shredded
• 1/4 lb. Mortadella Sausage, sliced and halved
• 1/4 lb. Soppressata Ham, sliced and halved
• 1/4 lb. Capicola, sliced and halved
• 1/4 lb. Genoa Salami, sliced and halved
• 1/4 lb. Proscuitto, sliced and halved
• 1/4 lb. Pepperoni, sliced
• 1 small White Onion, sliced
  
• 1 small tomato, sliced (optional)
• Shredded Iceberg Lettuce (optional)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil around the crust and spread the minced garlic on the crust. Season to taste with seasoning, salt, and pepper. Top with Sun-dried tomato dressing and Provolone cheese.

Option #1 -- Hot Italian: Add the remaining ingredients (except for the lettuce), layering. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Add the lettuce. Cut and serve.

Option #2 -- Cold Italian: Bake for 12-15 minutes. Add the remaining cold ingredients, layering. Cut and serve.

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DRINK RECOMMENDATION: MOTOROSSO VINO ROSSO
Cantina Colli Euganei (Italy, 2012)

Wine is one of those risky tailgate choices because it seems more suited to fine dining than an afternoon of football. Motorosso is one of those drinkable wines that goes well with any occasion, and even though it is imported from Italy, it won't break your wallet.

Recently, I was fortunate to meet the three brothers responsible for this varietal--it's clear that these guys not only know their wine but love it, as well. 

When you taste this multifaceted, semi-sweet Cab/Sangiovese/Merlot blend, it shows!

-Kap

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EAGLES PREDICTION

Win! -- Well, last week the Eagles gave up a heartbreaker to an underwhelming 49ers team after the offense struggled to score until the fourth quarter. If they don't solve their offensive woes and tighten up the outside of their secondary, they could have another long game this week. That said, the Rams are in even worse shape than the Birds. On paper, this should be a clear win--but, as we all know, games aren't won on paper.


MY RECORD: 2-2

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All recipes listed above come from our own imaginations unless otherwise indicated. If you try one of these recipes in your own kitchen, leave a comment below and tell us how it goes. And, of course, share your modifications, enhancements, improvements, etc.