Bola Pizza

Judging from my Facebook wall, I think somebody around here might've had a birthday or something. No, I'm not changing the name of my blog.

I could not think of a better way to celebrate than at one of the fabulous pizza parties thrown by my friends Christian and Jamie. They have been throwing these pizza parties for a long time (which I previously blogged about here), but there is a recent new twist - the addition of a wood-fired pizza oven (which just happens to be on a trailer!) - and the launching of a pizza catering business, Bola Pizza, so that you can throw your own pizza party - with their help, of course.

This could be the centerpiece of your very own pizza party!

Christian and Jamie are my friends, but I can honestly say that their pizza is the best in town, hands-down. First of all, the crust - a recipe that took them years to develop - is perfect. Just a little bit chewy, just a little bit crunchy, and just a teeny bit sour - in other words, delicious in every way. And they've added some new, seasonal pies to their menu that are out of this world. Their pizzas just keep getting better and better, and I can't get enough.


Witness: the fig & pancetta pizza, made with pancetta from Salt and Time.
(Much better photo by Christian here).

Why was the mushroom the life of the party? Because he was a fun-gi. This mushroom pizza is the life of the party: Minced criminis cooked down with thyme, garlic, shallots and white wine, then lovingly sprinkled atop sweet ricotta, mozzarella and black truffle oil.


Friends don't let friends tell fungi jokes.

I'm hard pressed to choose a favorite, but where garlic is involved, I'm tempted. This pie, called Garlic Two Times, should be renamed 'Gasm Two Times. But then the Texas Board of Education would probably try to ban it, and vampires would take over the state. Olive oil poached garlic cloves are mixed with shaved garlic and arugula atop sweet ricotta and mozzarella. Garlicgasmic.


Somebody attacked this pizza before I got my photo shoot in.


Scratch 'n' sniff!


Magic in action

Skip the catered lunch with dry chicken breast. Be a hero and book a Bola Pizza party today (if you need my address so you can invite me, let me know).

Shout out to my dear friend Carla, who brought not one, but two amazing cakes to the party from Sweetish Hill to help me mark another year, and to Jennie, who brought me a gorgeous batch of tipsy ispahan macarons!





Thanks, too, to friends and family too numerous to mention who make getting older worth every minute. Love you all.

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Cool Peeps - Perfect Pizza and Cake Pops

If it is true that a person is judged by the company they keep, I must be pretty damn cool.

Take last Tuesday, for instance. I was lucky enough to be invited to a pizza party thrown by Christian and Jamie Bowers, the dynamic duo behind Austin Food Journal. I've had a total blog crush on Austin Food Journal ever since I discovered it - informative writing with just the right amount of snark and just some beautiful, beautiful photography. Love.

Anyway, they throw pizza parties on a regular basis, where Christian breaks out his should-be-patented pizza recipe and goes to town. He starts with a perfect ball of dough - which, by the way, requires a three day process. This man is committed to making great pizza.

Then he gently spreads the crust out:



Adds some topping action:



Does some crazy chant thing:



(or maybe he was just adding some spices)

And cooks it in this oven.



I know, right? The mind boggles.

And yet...this emerges.


The Godfather - Kocurek Italian sausage, caramelized yellow onions and smoked mozzarella


The Polka Dot: parmesan, mozzarella, fried sage and cherry tomatoes


Perfection on a plate.

Christian's pizza photos are much, much, much better. Check 'em out here, here, here, here, and especially here. Luscious.

Oh, and speaking of amazing talent, you should also check out Jamie's gorgeous line of handmade jewelry. I especially enjoy the write-ups on her Brothers Grimm collection. Jewelry that empowers...what's not to love?

Totally unrelated, but further proof of the wonderful company I'm lucky enough to keep, is the amazing Kathy Phan(tastic). Check out these cake pops she sent me for Valentine's Day & Chinese New Year:




(This year is Year of the Tiger.)

She made these. Is that not incredible? She's also made Longhorn football pops, Twitter bird pops, panda pops, and even Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno pops. Also, here are some better photos of her Valentine pops, taken by her talented photographer sister, Tina.

I recently heard somebody say, "You can't cook in the bedroom, but you can make love in the kitchen." I love having friends and family who prove this true over and over again. Thanks, guys.

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