Throughout this challenge I came across alternate ways of making pizza dough using interesting raitos, methodologies or ingredients. Since I usually just made a cheese pizza with each of them (a nice baseline that lets me judge solely on the crust) I don’t think they need their own post, but I’m going to touch on…
I was at a work conference in Manhattan for a week and decided to seize this opportunity to squeeze in a few more famous pizza places into my year. Joe’s Pizza on Broadway. All the pizza people have a consensus that this is an exemplary NY slice and I was curious to give it a…
In the beginning, and some weeks through this year I didn’t feel up for the research and effort new styles of pizza required so I went to my standard New York style pizza dough and just played with different toppings. [Shout out to Tony Gemignani’s method for a great dough] This was usually informed by…
If you think pizza means a thin, round, crisp-bottomed crust with neatly arranged toppings, sfincione (pronounced sfeen-cho-nay) is here to shake up your expectations. This is not your typical pizza—it’s thick, spongy, loaded with flavor, and dripping with history. The name itself comes from the Latin spongia, meaning sponge, which is fitting given its airy,…
A Classic of Swedish Comfort Food Raggmunk is Sweden’s beloved potato pancake, a dish that combines the crispy goodness of fried potatoes with the heartiness of a traditional Swedish meal. Served with fried pork (fläsk) and lingonberry jam, this dish represents the perfect balance of savory, crispy, and sweet flavors. Often enjoyed during the colder…
Kjøttkaker, Norway’s beloved homemade meatballs, are a hearty, rustic dish that embodies Norwegian home cooking and family traditions. Unlike the smaller, delicate Swedish meatballs (köttbullar), Norwegian kjøttkaker are larger, coarser, and more rustic, served in a rich brown gravy (brun saus) with potatoes, lingonberry jam, and mushy peas. This dish is a symbol of Norwegian…
Karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pasty) is one of Finland’s most iconic and cherished baked goods, originating from the Karelia region, which historically straddled eastern Finland and parts of Russia. These thin, crispy rye crust pastries filled with creamy rice porridge are a staple of Finnish cuisine, often enjoyed warm with butter, egg butter (munavoi), or alongside coffee.…
Kare Raisu (カレーライス), or Japanese curry rice, is one of Japan’s most beloved comfort foods. Unlike the spicier, more complex curries of India or the fragrant coconut-based curries of Thailand, Japanese curry is mild, thick, slightly sweet, and deeply savory, served with steamed rice and often accompanied by crispy fried cutlets. Kare Raisu is a…
Tanabour (Ô¹Õ¡Õ¶Õ¡ÕºÕ¸Ö‚Ö€) is a tangy, creamy, and warming Armenian yogurt soup, made with matzoon (Armenian yogurt), grains, and fragrant herbs. It is a staple of Armenian cuisine, often enjoyed as a comfort food, a winter warmer, or even a light, nutritious meal year-round. With its delicate balance of tanginess, earthiness, and warmth, Tanabour reflects Armenia’s…
Swiss cheese fondue is a smooth, melted cheese dish, typically made with a blend of two or more cheeses, white wine, garlic, and seasonings, served in a fondue pot over a low flame. Essential Ingredients: Some regional variations use different cheese blends or add herbs, mushrooms, or even tomatoes for unique flavors. Tasting Notes: A…