One surprisingly popular post of 2011 was when my cousin turned eight. His birthday dinner of bacon-wrapped hot dogs made y’all very vocal.
This year was a lot more grown-up. We still ate “kiddie food,” but as the title suggests, this wasn’t your typical 9-year-old pizza party!
Our friend Lance (a serious pizza lover) brought over all the fixings to make some truly epic pies:
The dough recipes were from Cooks Illustrated and Serious Eats (<—which Lance actually blogs about pizza for)
While he prepped, we noshed on some appetizers. I brought a cheese plate of Roquefort with Cherry Preserves
Ate about two of these, and continued the cherry theme going with some fresh ones…
…plus a Kishu Tangerine
Aged cheddar + a taste of date too
Had to hold back because there was a lot more cheese coming!!!
Classic Margherita with tomato sauce, mozzarella, fresh basil, and olive oil…
…a similar theme going on with the Pepperoni…
…Parmesan, Rosemary, Red Onion, and Pistachio…
…Pesto and Ricotta…
…Mascarpone, Pecorino Romano, Prosciutto, Arugula, and Meyer Lemon Olive Oil…
…Chicken Sausage, Roasted Bell Peppers, Mozzarella
I had one of all six, but kept the portions half-sized
Ate some greens too
This was, without a doubt, one of the best pizza experiences I’ve ever had – right up there with Pepe’s and Stella Rossa! I had no idea crust like this could be possible from a home oven (guess you don’t really need to spend $15K like the one at Sotto). Just get your hands on those dough recipes, and a cast-iron pizza stone!!!
We were all stuffed, but Abe and I had picked up the essential dessert on the way…
…FYI Trader Joe’s Chocolate Ganache (found in the freezer section) is a perfectly suitable birthday cake:
This was so much more fun than my childhood memories at Showbiz Pizza Place…
…can’t wait to see what happens next year when my cousin turns TEN!!!
Um – why is my “ideal man” (outside of the one I’m married to LOL) cooking my fave “death row” food for y’all? Seriously – I could eat pizza EVERYDAY – especially if I had someone make it for moi! Le sigh….I would have to say the pistachio, and the meyer lemon looked right up my alley. AND shut the front door on the cast iron pizza stone!!!!!! Where can I find that?Throw some delish vino in there and – well – Lance could have some serious stalking from Canada! ok…just kidding.
Those pizzas look amazing!! Not at all like my homemade pizzas usually look…The first one looks especially perfect.
That pizza looks to die for! That is one classy young kid’s birthday pizza! I’m pretty sure I just had Pizza Hut hahaha. And I love Serious Eats!
OMG!!! I need to move to L.A. and become a family member…..immediately!!!
wow! this is the first time I’ve wanted to go to a child’s bday party! the pizzas look spectacular!
The pizzas look fabulous! The bacon wrapped hot dogs reminded me of this post from a few years ago from the Stranger paper in Seattle. A recipe for bacon-wrapped, cheese-filled, battered and fried hot dogs.
http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/03/post_135
woah. that “stranger” post just blew my mind!!!
Man, your cousin has some tasty birthday celebrations!!!
My first job was a Showbiz Pizza. Yup, birthday hostess. That cake looks so good!
oooh bet you have good stories!!!
I want on his invite list for next year, YUM!
That pizza looks insane! I love a big doughy crust in a pizza.
Those pies Lance made look great! You’re lucky to get such a pizza maniac into your kitchen.
yes, we were very blessed w/ lance’s magic hands. by the way, adam – my husband and i lived in astoria for 7 years. we miss the marinara pie at sac’s!!!
All of those pizzas are gorgeous!
That is one lucky 9-year old. I don’t think my birthday food has ever looked quite that delicious. Jealous!
This is my type of party! Those pizzas look amazing. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a prettier homemade pie. Thanks for making me smile. I’m sipping on mint tea, and I’m hoping to get to bed early tonight. I’m already ready for Friday!