The Pizza Party

As you know we are a big proponent of the five senses rule for any party. The most significant part of connecting with your guests’ senses is hitting their taste buds, the most important ‘sense’ in a party. I would say that ‘taste’ is the only objective sense and it is based mostly on the quality of the ingredients used. So, if you are having a pizza party, use the best ingredients you can find. Make the sauce. Make the dough. Go to a specialty store and get the best cheeses, meats and whatever you want on your pizza. The basic margarita pizza is always a strong base but you can always have an array of toppings and your guests can make their own pizza.

Now, brace yourself, this might sound like a lot of work, but unless you want to buy your own pizza oven, you will have to cook the pizza in a few steps. Buy a high end pizza stone which will cost an extra twenty dollars or so. Put the stone on your grille and fire it up to maximum heat while covered, it should get close to 700 degrees. At the same time put your wrack in the oven to the upper 2/3rds and put it on broil. This is a perfect combination to cook the pizza. 5-7 minutes on the stone and 2-4 minutes to finish off the top.

Ingredients

• Pizza dough
• Pizza sauce, or use Rau’s marinara or pizza sauce
• Buretta or mozzarella cheese (you can get sliced mozzarella from your deli for an even spreading of cheese
• Red pepper flakes
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil
• Oregano
• Extra virgin olive oil

Making It

• Put the pizza stone on the gas grill and turn on all burners to high and close the lid, let it get fire hot for 20 minutes
• Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to about 12 inches, place on cornmeal cornmeal covered pizza paddle, layer on the sauce, cheese, basil and cook on the stone covered for 3-5 minutes. Watch it closely as it can char on the bottom very quickly, remove and put on a baking sheet and finish under the broiler for 2-4 minutes until bubbly and fully cooked to your liking
• Sprinkle with the freshly ground parmesan, red pepper flakes, oregano and drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil

Other Toppings on top of the sauce and before the cheese is added

• Pepperoni
• Prosciutto, bake at 400 for 5 minutes first
• Roasted red peppers and caramelized red onions
• Sautéed spinach with three cloves of garlic, minced, and feta cheese
• Mini sausage meatballs with caramelized onions
• Sliced meatballs and thinly sliced jalapeños (frankly the sliced jalapeños are great on every pizza)