pizza

Cooking With Steve: “Northern Pizza”

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In my book series, there is pizza. Sure the worlds around the star Avenoth are fictional, but pizza exists there. In fact, in two forms: Northern and Eastern.

Eastern pizza is like the pizza we’re used to, with a bit of a Korean/Mediterranean flair. Thin crust, lots of stuff.

But Northern Pizza, the original pizza, is different – its thick bread baked with mashed beans, greens, and spices. A one-stop lunch that originated in large bakeries and working-class restaurants.

So I decided to try and create it. Here’s the recipe – so far

Ingredients:

  • One whole wheat pita or thick, large slice of German Farm Bread or similar thick, dark bread.
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup Hummus (or mash up garbanzo beans, 1 tbsp crushed garlic, 2 tbsp lemon juice).
  • 1 cup highly shredded greens like spinach or highly chopped broccoli. Add some onion if you want.

Instruction:

  • Mix greens and hummus.
  • Spread evenly on bread.
  • Bake until toasted and top is slightly browned.
  • Serve.

I’ve made this a few times and really enjoy it. I’ve got to perfect it a bit, but as a kind of “open face hummus burrito” it’s good. Doubtlessly I’ll experiment more – and maybe tweak my backstories a bit.

The Pizza Generator Is Here!

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(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)

Yes, it’s done!  The Pizza Generator is complete and ready for your culinary randomization!

This one was another generator where I went in for really deep analysis, and I think it paid off.  Pizzas are a complex business, and I found specific “pizza patterns” that guided the generator’s design.  There were also more than I expected, which got a bit complicated.

With this I need a bit of a break from food generators.  They’re fun, but surprisingly complex, and I think because I love to cook I tend to get into them really deep.  I’m not done yet – I at least want to do a candy bar generator – but I’m gonna need a rest.

As for other generators, well I’ve got plans . . .

– Steve

Pizza Generator In Beta!

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(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)

 

It’s there, the Pizza Generator is in Beta!

I’d say it’s mostly done – at most I need to add some new ingredients, tweak the probabilities, maybe some formatting. So let me know what you think and go forth and pizza!

Here’s some samples:

  • A pizza with Artichoke Hearts, Bannana, Romaine Lettuce, Capers, and Parsley, topped with Tandoori Sauce.
  • A pizza with Capers, Zucchini, Roasted Fennel, Shredded Carrots, Bacon, Carnitas, Tuna, Salami, and Short Rib Meat, topped with Goat Cheese.
  • A pizza with Chipotle Pepper, Pulled Pork, Sausage, Hot Dogs, and Jalapenos.
  • A pizza with Meatballs, Salami, Prosiccuto, Steak, Chicken, and Basil.
  • A pizza with Pinto Beans and Red Pepper, topped with Ricotta and Tomato Sauce.
  • A pizza with Red Pepper and topped with Cheddar.
  • A pizza with Romaine Lettuce, Almonds, and Kimchi, with White Sauce.
  • A pizza with Tuna, Carnitas, and Meatballs, topped with Goat Cheese and Fontina.
  • A pizza with Yellow Onion, White Onion, Capers, Romaine Lettuce, Pulled Pork, Buffalo Meat, Canadian Bacon, and Italian Spices.
  • A pizza with Zucchini, Sauerkraut, Black Beans, and Roasted Fennel, topped with Havarti.
  • A pizza with Bean Sprouts, Jalapenos, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Roasted Fennel, Hot Dogs, Clams, and Herbs De Province.
  • A pizza with Buffalo Meat, Pepperoni, Tuna, Meatballs, and Parsley, topped with Mascarpone.
  • A pizza with Carnitas.
  • A pizza with Jalapenos, Bannana, Garbanzo Beans, Bacon, Chicken, Prosiccuto, Egg, and Cilantro.
  • A pizza with Olives, Shredded Carrots, Butternut Squash, Chipotle Pepper, Roasted Fennel, Jalapenos, and Bannana Peppers.
  • A pizza with Pickled Ginger, Yellow Onion, Black Olives, Red Pepper, Burdok Root, and Basil, topped with Paneer Sauce.
  • A pizza with Pine Nuts, Pickled Garlic, Red Onion, Pulled Pork, Linguica, Buffalo Meat, and Tuna, topped with Goat Cheese.
  • A pizza with Pinto Beans and Pineapple, topped with Fontina and Tandoori Sauce.
  • A pizza with Salami, topped with Goat Cheese, Cream Cheese, and Mustard.
  • A pizza with Steak, Butter Chicken, Canadian Bacon, and Ham, topped with Parmesian and Barbeque Sauce.

– Steve