RESTAURANT - Pizza Fusion: LA + NJ

I try to make it back to LA, where I'm from, at least once a year. See my nearest and dearest friends. Jay-walk knowing you're not allowed to, but doing it anyways because I'm a New Yohkah now. Remembering how to drive. Amoeba Records*. And now, visiting Pizza Fusion in West Hollywood.

Last year our trip to LA was the Eric's first trip sans-gluten. We did all the research ahead of time, and Pizza Fusion stood at the top of our list. It did disappoint. Because he was a bit of a gluten free virgin, the waiter was thrilled to tell him about their multiple gluten free beers, gluten free pizza crust, and, oh ya, a gluten free brownie!

Since last year's LA trip, we went to another Pizza Fusion location in Red Bank, NJ. Totally different atmosphere, in a good way. Replace vegan models for families, bar service for BYOB, and teens practicing for their singing audition with children singing loudly.

After these two great gluten free times, Pizza Fusion in WeHo (ya, I'm that cool) was on the top of our to do list. Look up to see the gluten free flatbread with olive tapenade, artichoke dip and marinara. I'm pretty sure the flatbread is the same crust as the pizza, but it's extra crispy.

And here is the gluten free pizza with vegan soy cheese and pepperoni. This crust is ridiculous. Ya, you'll pay a little more for the crust, but just keep the toppings simpl and the price is pretty reasonable.

End your meal with an AMAZING gluten free brownie. The first time we got this last year, the waiter was almost giddy to bring it out to us. It's like when you are throwing someone a surprise party, and YOU are the person bringing the guest of honor to the party. I did this a few years ago for my good friend Sam, and it took everything I had not to spill the beans and burst out laughing 10 feet from the door.

See for yourself...

Check out Pizza Fusion's website for more info. There are lots more locations than the two I mentioned.

Pizza Fusion
7950 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90046
(323) 375-3390

Pizza Fusion
95 Broad St.
Red Bank, NJ 07701
(732) 345-1600

Photos by Lobo Jones Photography
www.lobojones.com

* I'm leaving out one very important place from my list of things I look forward to in LA. In N' Out burger. Duh. I figured it was overkill to mention In N' Out and Pizza Fusion in one post. It's just unfair to the readers. Fear not, East Coasters! Check out The Burger Garage in Queens. See my post here.

LIST - Top Gluten Free Pizza Toppings

What makes a good pizza? Well, there's the crust, which should be crunchy on the bottom, chewy on the top, and if it can fold in half that's an A+. Then there's the cheesy, which should be ooey, gooey, and stringy. And of coure the toppings.

Now, what makes a GREAT pizza? Only the toppings can take a pizza from LIKE IT to LOVE IT.

My strategy for gluten free pizza toppings is easy: fresh toppings, and lots of them. I like adding lots of toppings to the pizza to help cover up the non-wheat flavor of the crust. No matter how good a gluten free crust is (and believe me, there are some really good ones), you'll usually have at least a hint of an aftertaste to let you know it's not the real deal. So the more toppings the merrier.

Here are my favorite ways to top a delicious gluten free pizza crust.

1. Supreme
- sliced peppers
- sliced mushrooms
- diced tomato
- chopped garlic
- pepperoni (I use Boar's Head from the deli counter)

2. Farmer's Market
- sauteed kale
- thinly sliced fennel
- chopped garlic

3. Chicago Style
- sliced mushrooms
- diced tomato
- sauteed sweet Italian sausage (I use Premio)

4. Uptown
- sauteed spinach
- chopped garlic
- caramelized red onion

5. Downtown
- roasted broccoli
- roasted ramps
- chopped tomato
- roasted garlic

RECIPE - GF Chicago Style Pizza

I am never making "regular" pizza again! This way is so much better!!

We were first inspired to make Chicago style pizza from our neighbors Rob and Jaclynn. Rob was surprising Jaclynn (who has a blog called "Bad Fashion", check it out here) for her birthday with this Midwest favorite. Our other neighbor Pete is a master baker, and with the smells of homemade dough and pizza wafting through the building, it was hard to resist. Now we don't have to!

You really won't believe how easy this is. Literally the only thing different is the pan and the order you put the ingredients on.

Ingredients:
1 package Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup warm water
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 gluten free italian sausages, casings removed and sauteed until cooked and crumbly like ground beef
1 1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 Tbsp italian seasoning
1/2 each red and green bell pepper, sliced
5 mushrooms, sliced
1 tomato, diced
2 cups mozarella cheese (I use Cabbott, it's lactose free)

Directions:
Make the pizza crust according to the directions on the package. Before mixing together, add 1 tbsp italian seasoning. Let the crust rise.

This recipe made 2 cake pans and 1 sheet pan worth of pizza (the sheet pan was made the "regular" way). You can easily make 4 cake pans of pizza with this recipe. Be sure to thoroughly spray the pan before mushing the dough in. I recommend using a piece of plastic wrap to help mush the pizza into the pan. Push the dough out to cover the bottom of the pan, then push up the sides of the pan. Prebake crust according to directions.

Now, here's the important part. Pay attention!

First, sprinkle the mozarella cheese directly on the prebaked crust. This is crucial, it creates a barrier between sauce and crust so it doesn't get mushy. It also gives the crust a great texture and helps you taste the cheese more.

Then, the sausage. In traditional Chicago pizzerias they put the sausage on the pizza raw and bake for a long long time. But here we can't bake the crust too long, so I recommend cooking the sausage ahead of time.

Next, add the veggies. Finally, spoon on some tomato sauce (after you mix it with 1 tbsp italian seasoning). Be careful not to add too much, you don't want to completely cover the veggies, just enough to get a thin layer. Add some parmesan cheese and you're ready to go!

Bake the pizza according to directions, and let rest for a few minutes before slicing.

Convinced? Make your pizza night a gluten free Chicago pizza night!!

RECIPE - GF Pizza Supreme

Fuhget New York pizza! It's got nothing on this:

Making gluten free pizza at home is one of the cheapest meals you can make! If you've ever had gluten free pizza at a restaurant, you know that you'll pay anywhere between $2-5 more than a regular pizza, and then you pay per topping. If you were to get the pie in this recipe at a restaurant, it'll cost at least $20.

One package of gluten free pizza crust costs about $5, toppings cost another $5, and you probably have tomato sauce and cheese already at home. So you can make 2 pizzas, feed at least 4 people, for $10. Half the price of a restaurant pizza!

Ingredients:
1 package Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup warm water
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, finely chopped + 2 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 Tbsp italian seasoning
1/2 each red and green bell pepper, sliced
5 mushrooms, sliced
1 tomato, diced
Pepperoni slices (or other topping)
Mozzarella cheese (we used a dairy free rice cheese, but most will use the real thing)

Directions:
1. Make the pizza dough according to the directions on the package using the eggs, water, and 2 Tbsp olive oil.
2. Form the dough into 2 pizzas
**Tip: this dough is veerrrrryyyy sticky! Bob's Red Mill says you should wet your hands when you spread the dough out, but I think it's easier to use a piece of plastic wrap, place on top of the dough, and just mush and rub it around until it fills the pan.
3. Bake the dough without toppings according to the directions on the package
4. Mix together the chopped garlic and 2 Tbsp olive oil. Sprinkle with a little more italian seasoning.
5. Mix the italian seasoning into the tomato sauce
6. Once the pizza crust comes out of the oven, paint the garlic oil over the enture crust
7. Add tomato sauce, toppings, and cheese!
8. Return to oven and cook according to package directions
9. Remove from oven, sprinkle with a little more italian seasoning, and voila!

Here's what the crust looks like once it's baked and before toppings:

Have you tried this recipe? Do you have a better gluten free pizza recipe?  Leave a comment and let me know!