Today's review from Joanna Gaines Magnolia Table Cookbook Vol. 2 is a 4 in 1. I will be reviewing the recipes for her Homemade Pizza Dough, Margherita Pizza, BBQ Chicken Pizza, and Basil Pesto Chicken Pizza. They are a great collection of recipes that can be used to create a fun Pizza Night!
The review...
The recipe for Homemade Pizza Dough is super versatile and can be used for anything your creative mind can dream up. It is super easy to work with and I even make a double batch, roll out the crusts and bake them off plain for quick and easy dinners another day. Just let them cool after baking and throw them in the freezer, then when you want pizza on a whim you can pull one out and pop it in the toaster oven with your favorite toppings and dinner is ready!
The three pizza options are also great. I think my personal favorite was the BBQ Chicken, the sauce is super quick to make and had the best flavor for a pizza. The ingredient list looks long, but it is worth it in the end.
The Margherita is also great, and it's such a classic, you really can't mess it up. The one note I have for this one is to be sure not to skip the note on coating the crust in the olive oil. I actually brushed both sides with olive oil and it made the crust get beautifully crisp, especially for the margherita.
As far as the Basil Pesto Chicken Pizza, I don't have much to say there. It was good but nothing to really say. Brush that crust with oil too for best flavor!
The reaction...
As I said above, I love the idea of being ready to produce all three of these pizzas at once. I love a theme night, and pizza night is a favorite in my house. I try to do it at least once a week and these three brought some great new variety.
Overall, I think my taste testers were on my side and the BBQ Chicken Pizza was the all around favorite, but the Margherita and Pesto have their place too. I like the pesto the next day better actually, not really sure why, maybe all the flavor was deeper or I just had more of a taste for it then.
The TIPS...
One note to make, I like to cook my crusts a little bit before putting the toppings on so that I can ensure that the center is not soggy in the end. 5 minutes on a hot stone, then topped and finished until crisp and browned is all you need. I like a pizza that stands up and doesn't flop when cut. So just a little tip from me to you!
I did try this without my pre baking method too and I just found that the crust didn't get enough time to cook, for my personal taste. So use this technique for a thinner, more cracker like crust. If that's your thing.
Overall, the BBQ Chicken Pizza was my favorite, and I can't wait to find more recipes to use that sauce on. Oh and that one dipped in some ranch dressing was heavenly!
Until next time, Happy Cooking!
Kendell
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MY FAVORITE KITCHEN TOOLS!
Here are a few links to some of my favorite kitchen tools! You get a car, YOu get a car, YOU ALL GET A CAR…in my best Oprah voice
These Rösle Silicone Tongs are a little pricey but they will last you the rest of your life and are the softest in your hand. This is important for someone like m that cooks so much. It reduces strain, I have 4 sets in my kitchen!
These are my FAVE Nordic Ware Sheet Pans, every kitchen should have at least 2 sets of these! I think I have at least 4 of each of these.
This is my favorite pressure cooker, the Fagor is the same concept as the “Instant Pot” but easier to use in my opinion, if you don’t have one you NEED one, it will be your best friend in the kitchen!
A sharp knife is the most important tool in the kitchen, these Japanese steel “Shun” knives are my favorite! And this is a great starter set to build on. Once you try them you will be in love so use this as a foundation you can build on for years to come.
This Scanpan 11″ skillet is just the right size for almost anything you will need to cook and my best friend and a real workhorse in my kitchen, it’s also a great deal at $99. Scanpan is the best in the world for healthy cooking. It is coated with a proprietary ceramic-titanium coating that is durable while allowing you to use fewer fats and oils when cooking. It is a coating only they use. I could talk all day about my love for these pans, message me if you want more info. Here are some other sizes that are available if you are looking to outfit your kitchen with some new goodies. 8″ & 10″ Skillet set or 8″ Skillet, I still need this one for my kitchen Also, I don’t really know how to cook small so the 12.5″ is my other fave!
This giant vat of olive oil is my favorite, I decant it into a smaller bottle for my counter. Or put this spigot on top of a wine bottle!
My favorite baking dish that is so easy to clean even burnt on cheese slides right off!
This Tovolo jar scraper has to be my single favorite kitchen tool, it is definitely the most used tool in my kitchen. If you are NOT a gadget person, this is the only necessity I say is a MUST beyond the wooden spoon.
A great wood spoon is essential, this Olive Wood one is my favorite, I have more than I can count. But can you really ever have too many?
A food scale can be a very important tool in your kitchen, this one is the one I use every day!
If you love Joanna Gaines as much as I do then the ‘Magnolia Table Cookbook’ is a must in your kitchen, get a copy HERE!
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