Baby, it’s cold outside! Why not heat up your menu with an easy scratch-made dessert that has lots of potential variations? This bread pudding can be made ahead and kept for several days. HOW TO: Blueberry and Apple Bread Pudding 2 cups whole milk ...

Dried herbs and spices can pack a powerful punch   That old saying “variety is the spice of life” holds true in most aspects, especially when it comes to the actual herbs and spices we use when cooking. Herbs and spices have been used for th...

For many years Chianti has been called the wine of Italy. Well known for its original straw bottle, Chianti goes very well with pizza and pasta due to its light character and good acidity content. Other wines, such as Barberesco, Lambrusco or Gragnan...

Winter is upon us, and a lack of farm-fresh vegetables requires a bit of creativity in the kitchen. The contrast in colors and sweet-and-salty flavor makes this one a winner. Try it as a special to get your customers interested. For more winter ingre...

The Big Chill   Winter is my busiest season to sell pizza. Unfortunately, this is also the time when produce prices soar to new heights and the quality of these veggies hits a new low. I not only struggle keeping my parking lot cleared and salte...

Creative pies defy the norm to become menu stars   Years ago, the late, great Pat Bruno, who spent decades as Pizza Today’s resident chef, predicted the rise of white pies — that is, pizzas without a sauce. Today, sauceless pizzas become mai...

The key to this recipe is in the sauté, which releases all of the earthy flavors and texture of wild mushrooms. Combined with fresh pesto, this makes for one memorable pasta dish. Wild Mushroom Pesto Penne 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon butter, divided 1...

No matter the size or shape, arancini appeals to many It seems like everyone has an arancini story. Michael Spurlock may have grown up in Detroit, Michigan, but Boston was where he first tried arancini. “After I ate it I said, ‘If I ever open a r...

Chicken wings go beyond the Buffalo   Chicken wings are hot right now and have become a staple on appetizer menus in pizzerias across the country. And, why not? They are a great complement to a robust pizza menu and the ingredients for a flavorf...

You know the feeling. You’re in a pizzeria and everything’s great. The staff is helpful and friendly, the ambiance is charming, the music is perfect and the food is excellent. But then it happens — you discover a single unsanitary detail that c...

The old-fashioned way still works   Q: What are your thoughts on rolling pins? A: Some time ago I was in on a conversation between a number of individuals lamenting the cost of a dough roller for their shop. The discussion moved from single-pass...

The king of all pork products Bacon is tops in pizzerias As my wife and I watched a competitive cooking show a few months back, one of the judges tasted a certain dish and said, “Chef, I loved your dish but you cheated.” “Uh, excuse me? I don�...