Heatbox: Pizza Funk

The following video takes the art of pizza to the next level.

The film touches on a number of elelments. You will discover, road rage, pizza frustration, and elements of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War".

All this is set behind a very funky soundtrack.




flying pizza slices on earth,

albert

Black Bean Pizza Dough

From our good friend Bean at The Pizza Therapy Forum

I make the dough in my bread machine and add 2 t. olive oil. The second time I made it I added cumin and chopped jalapenos to the dough & it turned out awesome!
The leftover black beans make a great ‘sauce’ for the pizza mixed with seasonings. I have used this for a chicken fajita and taco pizza.

Black Bean Pizza Dough

1 teaspoon active dry yeast (I used 2 t.)
2 cups bread flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup lukewarm water
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1/4 cup pureed black beans (if use canned beans, rinse and drain first)

Combine and knead all ingredients (I use my bread machine).
Let rise 50-60 minutes.
Roll dough on a cornmeal-covered counter.
Place dough in pizza pan.
For a thin, crispy crust, place toppings on dough and bake immediately.
For a thicker, chewier crust, allow dough to rise 15-30 minutes before adding toppings.
Place pizza on the bottom rack of oven (Preheated to 500 degrees) 5-10 minutes.




Thanks, Bean.

Pizza on Earth,

albert grande
The Pizza Promoter

To make amazing pizza, you need quality flour.
Get Caputo, here:

Albert Grande, the Pizza Promoter, from Pizza Therapy

The following video was shot recently on the North Shore of Oahu. The North Shore boasts some of the best surfing in Hawaii and the world.

Now, the North Shore has some of the best pizza in Hawaii (and the world).

Let me explain.

My friend Paul created the most wonderful wood fired pizza oven and of course, I had to try it. And I did. Again and again...

The oven heats up to an astounding temperature, allowing the pizzas to cook quickly.

I love eating pizza and making pizza. I love promoting pizza.

You can discover how to make pizza at Pizza Therapy

Here's the video:




Enjoy.

You can also check out The Pizza Therapy Pizza Book. You can learn a simple step by step method to make your own pizza.

Your friends will praise you. You kids will love you.

Make Pizza, Be Happy!



Here is the link: The Pizza Therapy Pizza Book

Pizza on Earth, Good Will to All!

albert

The State of Pizza in San Francisco...

Jan reports from San Francisco:

Hi Albert,
Thanks for sharing your story and the Anthony Mangieri video.

It's great to see a master at work and now we have another reason to return to San Francisco. On a recent visit to the city my wife and I had the pleasure of dining at Tony’s (Gemignani) Pizza Napoletana.

It was first on my list of things to do and I was not disappointed - truly amazing pizza and service. I could have died right there.

Here is a picture of our pizzas and meatballs in an incredible tomato sauce. And then there is the International School of Pizza - imagine going to school to make pizza! If I were only 21 again . . .

Pizza&Love,

Jan

And here is a picture of these incredible pizzas created by Tony G.:



Thanks so much, Jan.

Now you really gave me a reason to go to San Francisco...
As if I need a reason.

Pizza on the West Coast,

albert

I love the following book on pizza by Tony and Diane Morgan.
I have a copy and it is amazing. As a matter of fact I gave several away
as Christmas gifts last year.

Naturally Risen, the Best Pizza Film of All Time.

Naturally Risen is a film by Michael Evans. It's a film honoring, Anthony Mangieri and his pizzeria, Una Pizza Napoletana,

When I interviewed Peter Reinhart and Chris Bianco, for Legends of Pizza, Volume 1, they both praised Anthony for his pizza making and his dedication to the art of pizza.

As Evans explains:

"Naturally Risen, is a short film documenting the rhythm of the process of noted pizzaiola Anthony Mangieri.

Anthony owned and operated Una Pizza Napoletana in the East Village of New York City from 2004 until 2009.

The film takes a decided non-verbal, intimate approach, in the tradition of a surf video – allowing Mangieri's disciplined movements to speak for themself.

Legendary skateboarder and musician Tommy Guerrero, provides the score."

You can watch Naturally Risen, here:

NATURALLY RISEN from michael evans on Vimeo.

Anthony Mangieri is simply an incredible pizzaiolo.
Michel Evans is an incredible filmaker.

Without a doubt this is the most amazing pizza film, I have ever seen.

Thank you Michael, Thank you Anthony.

Thankfully, as Adam Kuban of Slice has reported, Una Pizzeria Napoletana will reopen in San Francisco in SoMa.

All the best to you, Anthony.

And to everyone on the West Coast...consider yourself lucky you live there. First you took the Brooklyn Dodgers, now Una Pizzeria Napoletana.

When will it end?

I know where I'm going the next time I'm in San Francisco...

pizza all over California,

albert grande
Pizza Therapy is about Pizza.

The True Story of Pizza Therapy

The real story of Pizza Therapy is all about my Dad.

When we were teenagers, he would stop at an Italian bakery on his way home from work and purchase pizza dough.

He would then create the most amazing pizzas I ever tasted.

His pizzas were more abuot making pizza from the heart.

He is the inspiration of Pizza Therapy....

So when you visit Pizza Therapy, you are honoring my Dad...

Here is the story:




Thanks, Dad.

And thank you for all of your support.

Pizza on Earth, Good Will to All,

albert grande
Pizza Therapy

The Best Pizza in St. Louis, Missouri

You have to love St. Louis, Missouri. After all they fry their ravioli. Fried Ravioli is one of the signature dishes of this town.

The pizza has its own spin as well. Forget the mozzarella and parmesan. In St. Louis, you will discover the secret of pizza is the provel cheese.

What is provel?

Provel is a cheese mixture made of provolone, swiss and cheedar cheese. Provel is the heart of many of the pizzas in St. Louis. It has a creamy texture with a very unique taste.

You can learn more about provel cheese at this link at Wikipedia.

Here some of the best pizzerias in St. Louis:

• Cusaneli's: "The cheese, (Provolone) and the paper thin crust."
• Imo's: "the best pizza...the paper thin crust, the yummy cheese, the real bacon toppings. I miss it so much that it's the first stop when I fly "home" to St. Louis."
• Portas Pizza: "...Great crust, great sauce and great ingredients"
• Racanelli's Pizza: "The sauce, the crust.. and watching them toss that dough right after you order it! If you are a East Cost transplant from the tri-state area, well this will no doubt spark some tasteful memories.Ciao!"
  

Please feel free to discuss your own favorite pizzeria from St. Louis by adding a comment to this post.

You can find The Best Pizza in Missouri at this link.

And if you are a provel fan, you can express yourself and support your favorite cheese below:

pizza all over St. Louis,

albert grande
The Pizza Papers: Resources
About Learning the Pizza Business