Love is Patient, Love is Kind...and Sometimes.... Love Brings With It a Pizza!..

Oh, Isn't that a special title for a Sunday, "Almost Valentine's Day" post! 

That's the kind of person my mother is!! Her love never fails...and she is always seeking to care for all of us!! 

Well, this no ordinary Pizza! This is the pizza my mother made me last week when I was sick! This is our favorite pizza from Bottega Cafe! Only tweaked a bit! When someone makes you "this" Pizza...You will know you are loved!! Hope you enjoy it! Hope you have a wonderful, restful Sunday!!!


Here is the Basic Pizza Dough

Makes three 7-ounce portions of dough, for three 10-inch pizzas

1 1/4 cups warm water (105-115 degrees F)

1 Tablespoon honey

1 Tablespoon active dry yeast

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/4 cup olive oil

Cornmeal for dusting (optional)

Pour the warm water into a small bowl, stir in the honey, and sprinkle the yeast over the top.  Set aside to proof until foamy, about 10 minutes.

Combine the flours and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use a large bowl and a sturdy hand mixer). Add the yeast mixture and olive oil and mix on low speed until the dough forms a mass on the paddle and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, 4 to 5 minutes.

Remove the dough and divide it into 3 equal portions.  Put on a flour-dusted baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside in a warm place to rise for 30 minutes, or until almost doubled.  (You can make the dough ahead and refrigerate it overnight if necessary;  allow it to come to room temperature before continuing.)

The dough is ready to be rolled out and baked.  You can hand roll the dough at room temperature for a short while on a sheet of parchment paper that has been dusted with a little cornmeal.

Recipe rights:  Frank Stitt, Bottega Favorita

Bake your crust for  about 5 minutes.
Cover entire crust with a good amount of Alicia's Tomato Chutney.

At the restaurant they put a handful of arugula on top.

Top with chopped, grilled chicken that was grilled with kosher salt, pepper and olive oil. Place strips of roasted red peppers and caramelized onions on top of chicken and add as much Goat Cheese or Fontina cheese as you want.

 Bake for 15 minutes more or until Cheese is melted and pizza is heated through!

Enjoy! How easy was that! Now sit back, relax and listen and laugh if you want to at these versions of an oldie but goodie!

You can also use this dough for a chicken pesto version if you like!

The original version of Love is In the Air

and then.....

Tom Jones' version of the same.....

Yes, I know we should love each other the same each and every day but there is something that makes it a bit easier when Valentine's Day is just around the corner! Watch out for cupid's arrow....it could just pierce your heart if you aren't careful!

Happy Almost Valentine's Day!


XOXO!!!