It’s a Pizza Throwdown!

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Yes, sir! My sister challenged me to a Pizza Throwdown. And it wouldn't be like me not to accept.

So this past weekend, we met up at my Mother's house, secret recipes and ingredients in hand.

It. Was. On. Eat your heart out Bobby Flay!

Mom and Chris were to be judges- and we would all eat the entries for dinner, with wine of course.

Sis never actually revealed her exact recipe- so the info I have is from sight and info that my mom has sneaked me about her pie.

Some basic notes first.

1. We both used already-made dough bought from our local store, which is above average.

2. We used a pizza stone to cook the dough.

Sister's Pizza

Newman's Own Tomato Sauce

Sliced Red Peppers

Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Lots of Chopped Basil

Sliced Mushrooms

A blend of Goat, Mozzerella, and two other *mystery* cheeses

*VS*

My Pizza

Smashed Grape Tomatoes

Red Pepper Flakes

Fresh Garlic

Baby Arugula

Kalamata Olives

Salt and Pepper

Shaved Pecorino-Romano Cheese

Good Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar for drizzling

Some tasting notes:

** My sister's dough was excellent!! She is an awsome dough-thrower, she would put any Italian pizza thrower to shame! She literally slams the dough onto the counter about 30 times to get the air out and then takes it in her hands and stretches it, round and round until the disk is large enough. Her whole process took about 30 minutes, but her dough was as impressive as her skills.

I could shoot myself for not getting pictures of how cute she was making the dough. They would have made a great addition to this post.

** My dough was horrible. A downright hot mess! Chris usually rolls our dough and yes we use a rolling pin- but since he was under the weather, and didn't want to contaminate the pizza, the rolling duty was left to me. Big Mistake. After struggling to morph the dough into any recognizable shape- the cavalry (my sis) had to come in and save me. It took her several more tries to rescue my dough and by the time she did, I am afraid it was overworked and tough.

** Both pizzas tasted very good. Both judges agreed that they were too different to judge in the same category. If you like your pizza crunchy, healthy and light- like a salad on a crust, then you would like mine. If you like your pizza crust a little softer, but loaded with bold flavors and cheesy, then you would like my sister's.

Honestly, I liked them both. Very much. But for very different reasons. The judges called it a tie.

If I had to pick, I would have picked my sisters, especially because of the crust. But I will surely make mine again. And again.

Which do you think you would pick? What's on your favorite Pizza?

Michele
February 11th, 2009
I was sold as soon as I read “kalamata olives”!!!

janie
February 11th, 2009
Without a doubt, you’re the winner in my mind! Gorgeous…

erin :: the olive notes
February 11th, 2009
oh yum!!! They both look SO good…but you’re right – so different! I think I’d start out with your sister’s and then take a slice of yours for a lighter ending to the meal

Cherrye at My Bella Vita
February 11th, 2009
ha ha “your dough was a hot mess!” That cracks me up. We just made pizza last weekend, too. We are going to “add” something new to the dough recipe and make them again on Sunday. I’ll be posting ASAP.
To answer your Q, I think both pizzas look delish. I think yours looks more Italian, though.

My Melange
February 11th, 2009
They really do add something *extra* special, don’t they Michele?

My Melange
February 11th, 2009
Oh, thanks Janie. You are welcome to a slice

My Melange
February 11th, 2009
Funny, that is exactly how we ate them too! You get the best of both worlds that way

My Melange
February 11th, 2009
Argh- Cherrye, I cannot roll a *proper* pizza dough to save my life. Toppings. I do Toppings!! I guess that is why I drink lots of wine when I make pizza! Ha!
Can’t wait to see your pizza pie
xo

anne
February 11th, 2009
Hi Robin…they both look good, but I would have to go with yours ..I do not like a cheesy pizzas, I like them a lot simpler and lighter, ok your pizza base went a bit wrong, but it looks good, oh and I love Olives. My hubby would go for your sisters, he always adds more cheese to his!!

My Melange
February 11th, 2009
I like both kinds. It just depends on what I am in the mood for. I never met a pizza I didn’t like, Anne Sounds like you have a hard compromise at your house come pizza time!!
xo

Susan
February 11th, 2009
I would have picked yours for sure- I love greens on my pizza.
Yum!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Melange
February 11th, 2009
Oh Thanks Susan!! I love greens also- especially when it’s that peppery baby arugula

Merisi
February 12th, 2009
I would opt for a slice of each!
My favorite pizza here in Vienna is paper-thin, a little bit of fresh tomato sauce splashed over it and baked. Then add fresh arugula, fresh bufalo mozzarella and half cherry tomatoes.
There’s a place in Washington DC that makes fabulous pizza in a woodburning pizza stove, Pizzeria Paradiso on P St NW (a few steps from the Dupont Circle Metro station). My favorite there is Pizza Bosco, with tomato, mushrooms, spinach, red onion and fresh mozzarella.

Merisi
February 12th, 2009
I meant woodburning pizza o v e n . *hehe*

Mélanie Aussandon
February 12th, 2009
Before to read the 2nd one was yours , you were already the winner, this is my favorite pizza

My Melange
February 12th, 2009
Yum!! Merisi, sounds like your eally now your pizza girl! Thanks for all the suggestions

My Melange
February 12th, 2009
Melanie, you are too kind! We shall make this someday together in Provence.
xo

Betty C.
February 15th, 2009
Both look delicious, but I’m sorry to say I think I would choose the first one because I’m a cheese pig.

My Melange
February 15th, 2009
Betty, please don’t be sorry. The heart wants what the heart wants! And there are worse things to be than a *cheese pig*. Ha!

Alex
February 16th, 2009
The both look very tasty – dodgy dough or not!
Great idea!
Best,
Alex

My Melange
February 16th, 2009
Thanks Alex. They both tastes pretty darn good too, if I can say so myself.
xo

Leesie
February 17th, 2009
I choose your pizza. I love kalamata olives and it looks so healthy. I laughed when I got to the part of how your sister slams the dough onto the counter – too funny! Great post, it was fun to read – thanks for sharing. There are some great pizza dough recipes here http://www.easypizzacrusts.com/ and also on the King Arthur Flour website, under recipes.