I love belonging to Food ‘n Flix and being a co-host for Cook the Books, but I put a plea out to the membership: Please let’s not put the posting dates so close together. (That being said, I am sure those with better planning and organizational skills than I do just fine with the deadlines.)
I simply could not miss out on this month’s Food ‘n Flix round, hosted by Heather of girlichef. Heather is the creator of Food ‘n Flix and September marks the group’s 5th Anniversary. I didn’t discover this great group until April 2012. Since that time, I think I have only missed three rounds. (Again, it was scheduling and non-organizational issues on my part. Imagine that.)
For this very special post to mark the anniversary of FnF, I wanted to revisit one of the selections from the early years before I became a regular member. I had a great group of films from which to choose and I almost landed on Waitress. In the end, however, my nostalgic love for the 80s won out and I chose Mystic Pizza.
Mystic Pizza (1988) is the tale of three young women finding their way while working at a pizza shop in a small fishing town in Connecticut. To them, their hometown has little to offer. One has her sights set on leaving it all behind and attending Yale. One does not want to “settle” for her hometown boyfriend. One might find love and a “way out” with a rich country club kid. (Like them, I was also struggling with “what to do with my grown up self” in 1988 as college graduation was looming, and like them, I was not wanting to return to my hometown and just settle.)
I am totally simplifying the plot line and there are many twists when it comes to all the romance in the film, but these three women show their character and strength. It is their unlikely mentor, Leona, the shop owner, who steers them along the way. Seriously, don’t mess with Leona. What does she put in that pizza?
Well, I, for one, will share the secret ingredient in my Mystical Autumn Pizza:
BACON!
Bacon Marmalade
Mystical Autumn Pizza
based on Free-Form Autumn Vegetable Tart with Bacon Marmalade from Food & Wine (October 2015)12 oz. center cut bacon, finely chopped
1/4 c. canola oil
3 shallots, minced
1/2 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 c. chicken stock
3.5 oz. oyster mushrooms
3.5 oz. cremini mushrooms
1/2 lb. brussels sprouts, halved
1 c. butternut squash, cubed
2 T. olive oil
sea salt and fresh ground pepper
1 c. torn Swiss chard leaves
1/2 c. grated Provolone cheese
Dough for one pizza
1 T. sage leaves, choppedMake the marmalade first. In a large skillet, cook the bacon in the oil over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to drain.
Reserve two tablespoons of fat in the skillet. Add the shallots to the skillet and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened but not browned, about 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and brown sugar and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the vinegar is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the chicken stock and cook until reduced to a thick syrup, about 5-10 minutes. Stir in the bacon. (The original recipe calls to reserve the remaining bacon fat and whisk in 1/3 c. of it at this point. I just didn’t think the jam needed it.) Let cool until thickened slightly, then season with salt and pepper.
Prepare the toppings. Preheat oven to 425 F. On a large rimmed baking sheet lined with foil, toss the mushrooms with the brussels sprouts, butternut squash and olive oil. Season generously with salt and pepper. Roast for about 15-20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned. Remove from oven and place in a large bowl. Toss with Swiss chard. Set aside.
Roll out pizza dough. Place on pizza stone, prick with a fork and bake in 425 F. oven for 5-7 minutes. Removed and top with bacon marmalade and cheese. Place back in oven and bake for 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and arrange vegetables on pizza. Season with sea salt and fresh ground pepper and garnish with sage leaves.
Serve.
The great thing about this dish is that the bacon and cheese are hidden beneath all the autumn veggies. Your family or guests will be thinking that they are in for a ho-hum vegetarian healthy meal. Wait until their taste buds hit the bacon marmalade!
This pizza would not hold a candle to Leona’s Heavenly Pizza, but I know my secret ingredient, bacon, might give her pause. This is an unorthodox pizza, sure, but I definitely wanted to highlight a bit more from our garden like our mini butternut squashes and Swiss chard.
I wonder what the Everyday Gourmet food critic might say? Would he call this “superb” as well?
Isn’t he cute? Matt Damon’s first speaking role occurred in Mystic Pizza in 1988. He still has those dimples, doesn’t he?
Note: My Cook the Books post will be up next. We are highlighting Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Yes, Chef, hosted by Rachel, The Crispy Cook.
Further note: Please join FnF for the October viewing of Hocus Pocus, hosted by Elizabeth at The Lawyer’s Cookbook.
I think this sounds amazing – I love the ingredients you put on this pizza…it’s definitely mystical! I love this flick, so happy that you chose it. I’m so happy that you’re a part of the Food ‘n Flix club, Debra. And while I doubt due dates will change…you know you don’t have to wait until the due date to actually submit, right? You’ve got the whole month! 😉
Oh, yes, I know. It’s just the procrastinator in me…..you make a great point…there is the whole month thing…..
I am so happy to be a part of FnF. You should be proud of what you’ve built here. It is a great group and a stupendous idea…
That pizza (or tart, or whatever it’s called) looks fun an delicious. In all fairness to your mystical version vs. the heavenly version — they’re two different versions. (And yours just happens to be real!) Way to go!
Definitely a pizza….bacon jam (or marmalade) may be my new pizza topping for all our pies. Thanks for the kind words.
Bacon marmalade…my mouth is watering. Your pizza looks fantastic with all the autumn/winter veggies.
Next time, I will use kale instead of chard. Thanks, Angie.
This pizza sounds superb! Also, never heard of that movie. And Matt Damon is in it? I need to tell my friend who is obsessed with him :p
He only has one line as a recall. He plays the younger brother of the rich kid. Thanks for stopping by.
Mmmmmmmm…..we LOVE bacon on pizza! The pizza looks amazing!
I can’t believe we graduated the same year from college – I took one year off, maybe two – too long ago to remember now but Mystic Pizza was one of my coming of age movies and I loved it! Anna Beth Gish and Julia Roberts are still 2 of my favorites!
Scary—a friend was just talking about bacon jam and I was getting all excited about her trying it and inviting me over. Plus it’s on my list to rewatch this movie. So I texted her your website and suggested Pizza Night with a Movie—and guess what kind of pizza and which movie!
I know I am starting to fade, but I can’t find the pin button. I checked
it out directly on your pinterest site and I can’t find it either. Am I crazy? Hey, maybe you shouldn’t answer that—Lol
No worries. It is at the bottom, right above the “Like” button.
Bacon definitely makes most everything better! Love those baby butternut squash!
Your pizza sounds MYSTICAL, that’s for sure! How delicious. I watched this movie this month too, but my pizza does not compare to yours. Though I have been reinspired to make pizzas more often and be creative with what’s left in my fridge.
Who cares what the everyday gourmet would say! I say the pizza’s fantastic. I was on a huge Julia Roberts kick when that movie came out and I adored it. I agree that Leona was awesome too, but I gotta admit, I think she stole the show when she became Berta on Two and a Half Men. 🙂
I always am up for a delicious pizza but I love the Autumn flavor you put on yours. My husband would go crazy for this recipe!
OH my goodness…..I would love this even without the bacon….What a fantastic looking pizza….it is going on the to be made list for sure!!
Thanks, Wendy, but I highly recommend the bacon!
Pizza! Looks yummy. Love that you chose something from the 80’s.
Gotta love the 80s, man.
I just saw Matt Damon in The Martian. He does look the same! Maybe a bit more mature! I love that you had bacon and all those yummy fall goodies. I am sure this will be on our menu soon. Yummmo.
Thanks, Terri. I had to laugh that Matt Damon looks the same. Must be some of that Martian voodoo! ??
Ha we joined the group a month apart, quite some time. Glad to have met you here! I saw this movie so long ago I need to rewatch it after reading your post. Awesome pizza and love the magic word: Bacon!
Bacon truly is a magic word!
Mystic Pizza is one of my favorite 80’s chick movies–it holds a special place in my heart. Great pick. Your pizza looks amazing–love the autumn feel and the bacon marmalade make make me reconsider not eating meat! 😉
I honestly think I could give up most meat, but NOT bacon! 🙂 You could just caramelize the shallots in olive oil and use vegetable stock. That would make one tasty topping, too. (I love bacon…)
You had me at bacon! I sense a pizza and movie night in my near future!