Several years ago I attended the Monster.com user’s conference in Boston. This behemoth job board’s headquarters now resides in a redesigned textile mill in Maynard Massachusetts. It was a three day event where the participants attended informative seminars along with providing feedback to enhance the user experience and Monster wined and dined its clients.
You are probably wondering, what does this have to do with pizza? For this event, my husband and I stayed at The Westin Copley Place in downtown Boston and one evening we had drinks and appetizers at Bar 10. We ordered the Margherita Pizza with cured tomatoes, pesto and fresh mozzarella. This was not the typical pizza; it was a grilled flatbread pizza which had a super thin, crispy crust that was to die for.
Within a few days of returning home, I set out on a quest to recreate this pizza. My first inclination was to investigate at the grocery store for the flat bread. Instead I discovered lavash bread at my local Trader Joe’s. Lavash is a soft, thin flatbread. It is commonly known as lahvash or cracker bread and is typical in Iran, Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is simple bread made of flour, water and salt and rolled very thin. Traditionally the dough is rolled out flat and slapped against the hot walls of a wood oven or tandoor. This method is still utilized in Azerbaijan, Iran and the United States.
By 997 in the medieval times, pizza made an appearance on the “culinary” scene and during the 16th century in Naples, flatbread was referred to as pizza. One of the most infamous pizzas is the Margherita which was made to honor the Queen consort of Italy by replicating the Italian flag by garnishing the pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. Pizza landed in the United States with the arrival of Italian immigrants in the late 19th century in cities with large Italian populations such as San Francisco, Chicago, New York City and Philadelphia. Still today, these cities are renowned for pizza, from thin crust to deep dish pizza.
It has now become tradition in our household that when I make homemade pizza, it is on lavash bread. This crust is thin, crispy and accommodates most every topping and creates a handheld masterpiece. Speaking of toppings, where do I begin? The choices are endless, illuminating and exciting. I often think of new ways to top this perfect platform for pizza. I must admit that pizza Margherita is probably the quintessential traditional pizza with a perfect balance of flavors.
For this challenge, the remaining 72 contestants are asked to put our spin on the same recipe: Pizza. We are given free reign to share our own ideas. Do we try out molecular gastronomy technique? Share a super secret trick? Or re-envision the dish from a different perspective? I wanted to stay authentic to who I am and what I love to make, so Lavash pizza done four ways was my choice for this challenge.
If you are looking for a great entertaining tip – host a “Create Your Own Pizza Party". Cut each lavash sheet into four pieces, set out your favorite toppings and beverages then let your guests get creative. You can host in your kitchen, where typically everyone gathers. Set out plates, napkins and forks along with an area for your guests to prepare their individual pizza creations. Perhaps even have a contest for the most creative pizza. Let your imagination run free.
I have just began to touch the tip of the iceberg with the following four recipes for lavash pizza. Each recipe below is designed for four individual pizzas, by slicing each sheet of lavash bread into four equal pieces. Each pizza will measure approximately 4 by 6 inches and the various combinations are endless. Please sit back and enjoymy four ideas forlavash pizza.
Fresh Figs, Fig Jam, Prosciutto and Blue Cheese Pizza
1 Sheet lavash bread, cut into four equal pieces
6 Fresh figs, cut off stem and cut into quarters
4 to 6 T. Fig Jam
4 to 6 T. Fresh Ricotta
4 slices of prosciutto, julienne slices
4 T. Blue cheese, crumbles
Divide the ricotta cheese among the four pieces of lavash bread and spread evenly to almost the edge. Top each one with about one tablespoon of fig jam and spread. Then top each pizza with six pieces of the fresh fig and top with the prosciutto evenly among the pizzas. Finally, sprinkle with the crumbled blue cheese. Lie onto a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
Cherry Tomato, Fresh Pesto and Quattro Formaggio
1 Sheet lavash bread, cut into four equal pieces
4 to 6 T. Pesto (handmade or purchased)
20 Small cherry tomatoes cut in half
1 C. Quattro Formaggio Cheese Blend*
4 to 8 Fresh basil leaves, julienned
Spread the pesto among the four pieces of lavash bread and spread evenly to almost the edge. Divide and sprinkle the Quattro Formaggio cheese blend on each slice, then top each one with 8 tomato halves. Lie onto a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Immediately sprinkle with the fresh basil leaves and serve.
*The Quattro Formaggio cheese blend is from Trader Joes. It is a blend of Asiago, Fontina, Parmesan and Mild Provolone Cheese.
Wild Mushroom, Goat Cheese, Fresh Thyme Pizza with Truffle Oil
1 Sheet lavash bread, cut into four equal pieces
4 C. Assorted fresh wild mushrooms, cleaned and cut into pieces
2 Shallots, peeled and sliced thin
3 T. Butter
Salt and Pepper
4 to 6 T. Ricotta cheese
4 to 5 T. Goat cheese
4 to 6 t. Fresh thyme leaves
Truffle oil
In a medium skillet, melt the butter and add the sliced shallots then add the wild mushrooms. Cook on medium high heat until golden brown. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
Divide the ricotta cheese among the four pieces of lavash bread and spread evenly to almost the edge. Divide and spread the mushroom mixture among the pizzas. Add the goat cheese to each pizza by strategically placing small pieces on each one. Lie onto a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Immediately sprinkle with the fresh thyme and drizzle desired amount of truffle oil on each one.
Fontina, Fresh Garlicand Arugula Pizza
1 Sheet lavash bread, cut into four equal pieces
1 C. Fontina cheese, shredded
4 to 6 T. Ricotta cheese
4 Garlic cloves, peeled and sliced thin
Dried thyme
Red pepper flakes
2 C. Arugula
Olive oil
Lemon
Divide the ricotta cheese among the four pieces of lavash bread and spread evenly to almost the edge. Divide and sprinkle the fontina cheese among the pizzas. Place the garlic slices among each of the pizzas and sprinkle with a pinch of dried thyme and a pinch of the dried red pepper flakes. Lie onto a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. While cooking, lightly toss a bit of olive oil and lemon juice on the arugula. When the pizza is done cooking, dress each pizza with the arugula salad on top.
It is hard to believe that challenge #5 marks the halfway point of this exciting contest. I would like to take this opportunity to pay homage and express to each ofYOU the appreciation for your support through this exciting journey. I would like to especially thank my
darling husband Charlesfor his support,patience and understanding.
The voting will open at 6AM Pacific Time October 18th through 6PM Pacific Time October 21st. 60 Winners will be announced at 12 PM Pacific Time on October 22nd. Good luck to each of the wonderful contestants!
