Welcome to this round of Cook the Books, hosted by our newest co-host, Claudia at Honey from Rock.
Thanks for being a part of the CTB co-hosting team.
Claudia selected Mauve Binchy’s Scarlet Feather for her first hosting gig. I am sure that you are all familiar with Binchy, the Irish treasure who wrote over thirty works including novels, short stories, non-fiction and one play. I read her Circle of Friends way back in 1990 and I know that my mother is fond of her books. Although I recall enjoying my previous foray into Binchy’s fiction, I have to say that I was not feeling very motivated to diving into Scarlet Feather. (Sorry, Claudia, just keeping it real here.) I mean, my gosh, but it is long.
I was totally wrong. Binchy’s characters (and there are a lot of them) kept me fully engaged and I finished the book long before the July 31 posting deadline. (This is an unheard of occurrence; I am always up against the deadline.)
I felt like a real “eejit” because I really enjoyed this read. (I had no idea that “eejit” is the Irish word for idiot. My family has been calling each other this name for years. We’re not Irish. 🙂 )
There are so many characters, interwoven connections, emotion and humor in this book it is hard to find a starting point so I will just begin with a synopsis.
Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather are two mates that completed cooking/catering school together. Their dream was to open their own catering business in their home city of Dublin. Scarlet Feather is finally opened and as these two struggle to establish their company they must face many challenges and catastrophes both personal and business-related. Family plays an important role in the book and as families are wont to do, members both hinder and help their progress.
So obviously for my inspired-by recipe from this Irish novel, I decided to make a Chicago-Style Pizza.
What?
Let me explain. Cathy’s older sister, Marian (an expat living in Chicago), wants to return to Dublin for her wedding. She contracts with Scarlet Feather to not only cater all the wedding events, but to find venues, dancers, and lodging for the large American contingency that will soon descend on Ireland. Marian and her fiance request a traditional Irish meal of corned beef to which Tom and Cathy sneer and turn up their noses. They think that is too stereotypical and does not showcase Irish cuisine at all. But, when Cathy and Tom create a menu for a themed pre-wedding party, they present even more preconceived ideas about Marian’s adopted home city of Chicago. They decide to create a prohibition gangsteresque theme of old Chicago, complete with bathtub gin, Al Capone and references to the St. Valentine’s Day massacre. “They would have the Chicago greats in jazz on the music center and everyone would be so pleased with the way they had been made to feel at home.” Really, with references to a gangland slaying?
Obviously, the corned beef and the Gangster Land theme did not make the cut and menus had to be revisited and revised before the wedding occurred. I, however, could not forget Binchy’s humor here and Cathy and Tom’s attempts to make everyone “feel at home.” They would have been spot-on if they had served Chicago-Style Pizza.
Chicago-Style Pizza is a bit hard to make while trying to achieve a crisp crust. After years of trying to replicate this style of pie for The Hubs (because it’s one of his favorites), I think I may have a winner here.
Chicago-Style Pizza in a Skillet
Adapted from King Arthur and Cooking ChannelFor crust:
1 1/4 c. lukewarm water
2 3/4 t. instant yeast
3 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
3 T. yellow cornmeal
1 3/4 t. sea salt
2 T. olive oil
4 T. melted butterDissolve yeast in warm water. Let sit for five minutes until foamy. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. Knead with dough hook for about 7 minutes. (Alternately, mix dough by hand and knead on a floured surface until dough is smooth.)
Place in a large oiled bowl, cover with a clean cloth and let rise for about one hour.
Punch down and get ready to assemble pizza. (This recipe makes a double batch. Plan on freezing part of the dough for later use.)
For filling:
1-2 T. butter, softened
1 lb. Italian sweet or hot sausage, casing removed
1/2 lb. mozzarella cheese, sliced (8-9 slices)
1 (28 oz.) can San Marzano tomatoes
2 to 4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 T. sugar, optional
1 ½ t. dried Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
fresh basil, for garnishPreheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Grease the inside of a 12-inch cast-iron skillet with the butter. Place the pizza dough in the center and spread evenly towards the bottom edge and 1 1/2 inches up the sides. Prick the bottom of the crust several times with a fork. (This will keep large air bubbles from forming.)
Bake the crust for 10 minutes, until it’s set and barely beginning to brown. While it’s baking, prepare the filling.
Drain the tomatoes thoroughly and place them in a small sauce pan. Crush with a potato masher. Add garlic, sugar and seasonings. Stir and heat to a simmer. While sauce is simmering, crumble and cook sausage until browned, 8-10 minutes.
Cover the bottom of the crust with the sliced mozzarella, fanning it into the crust. Add the sausage, then the tomato sauce.
Sprinkle with the grated Parmesan, and drizzle with the olive oil.
Bake the pizza for about 25 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Allow the pizza to cool for about 15 minutes (or longer, for less oozing) before cutting and serving.
The Hubs stated, “I don’t think you’ve ever fully gone to Chicago,” meaning that I had finally nailed a Chicago-style pizza. This is a hefty pie!
For my other pizza creations, click here. For all my CTB posts, click here.
Again, welcome and thanks for hosting, Claudia.
In August and September, Cook the Books is joining with Food ‘n Flix in a crossover event. I am hosting The Secret Book of Frida Kahlo for CTB (August/September round) and hosting Frida for FnF in September. There will be more posted about both events soon.
Please consider participating in both of these Frida events. You can use one post or two to celebrate this artist’s life. Stay tuned.
I hope you have you read Binchy’s “THE VALLEY OF DECISION.” I read that back in the 60’s or 70’s. Enchanting and riveting. When my daughter began reading her books, I was so happy to be able to introduce her to my copy of it. She was shocked that I even knew who Binchy was.
I haven’t but I will add it to my list of “to reads.”
It sounds like an interesting read, Debra. The pizza has a super crunchy edge and that filling is hard to resist.
Thanks, Angie. This is a new favorite around our house.
Sounds like a fun read! And this is a fun dish. I’ve seen recipes for regular pizza made in a frying pan, but not Chicago-style. But the skillet is perfect for this! Really inspired recipe — looks like a winner. Thanks!
I used to try to make deep-dish in an old Pampered Chef stoneware pan, but the skillet works the best. When I make this again, I will omit that drizzle of olive oil at the end. I would add fresh basil.
Binchy is on my list too — good that you got to write up this book! Your pizza dough is very appealing both in ease-of-doing and how I imagine it must taste.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thanks, Mae. I think Quentin’s is the follow up to this novel. It’s on my list, too.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this read! And a fabulous pick for the inspired dish. I’ve been meaning to do this style pizza on day, and when I do, this will be the perfect recipe. Thanks
Welcome, Claudia, as a CTB host.
Love this pizza ! Look wonderful!!
Thanks, Gloria.
Whoa… I’d rather have this than a Chicago pizza! I can’t belie I have a skillet that I never use. One of these days I’m going to break it out and make pizza… and probably a skillet cookie. 😉
And I’ve never made a skillet cookie.
I’ve read every single book Binchy published. It takes me to Ireland and I sure love arm chair traveling these days. You may like Tara Road too as some of those characters cross over in other books. Like Quentins, In my opinion her masterpiece was Light a Penny Candle.
Wow – what a pizza! I wish I lived next door to you, I’d be begging a slice of this bad boy!
I would gladly hand deliver it to your door if you lived next door! 🙂 Thanks for the book recommendations. You should whip up a recipe for CTB this round if you’ve already read Scarlet Feather, Tina.
We love Chicago style pizza around here, but I seem to run to Giordano’s to carry out vs, making one! I really need to try you fabulous recipe when it’s cool enough to turn on the oven again!
Oh, when will fall arrive? I did have to turn on the oven yesterday because I had to make zucchini muffins after I wagged a 10 lb. squash up from the garden.
Hefty is right…one slice is a whole meal. 🙂
One slice will do it.
OH my…..that pizza has me drooling all over myself here.
Thanks, Wendy. 🙂
Circle of Friends still reigns as my favorite Binchy but I did like the foodie setting on this book. Your pizza looks delicious. i was in Chicago a few years ago on a business trip and had my first ‘real’ Chicago-style pizza. I will probably always be a thin-crust lover, but it was really good. Your pizza looks even better! 😉
Thanks, Deb.
I’ve tried Chicago pizza one time but really prefer the thinnest possible crust – looks great though
I go back and forth.
That pizza looks AMAZING!!!!! I have to try it asap! Also – that was one of my favorite parts of the book – a very clever way to avoid serving corned beef and cabbage!!
I thought it was hilarious that both parties had no idea they were being ridiculous.
Glad to read you made your husband happy: that’s important. I admit that although I have heard the expression Chicago-style pizza I didn’t know the details, so thank you for choosing this recipe. I wish I could have seen the twins dance at the wedding.