My Pizza - My Friend, Jim Lahey's New Book!
My friend Jim Lahey, baker extraordinaire, has just come out with another great book called My Pizza. Jim has become quite famous for his no-knead bread recipe, first published by the New York Times in 2006, and has adapted that technique to make fantastic crispy, charred thin-crust pizza. I went to a party the other night, in Jim’s soon-to-be opened new bakery, to celebrate the book and to eat pizza! Here’s what the publisher, Clarkson Potter, has to say:
“Make homemade pizza that exceeds your wildest expectations—yet couldn’t be simpler—with Jim Lahey’s groundbreaking no-knead dough and inventive toppings.
The secret to incredible pizza is a superb crust—one that is crisp yet chewy, and slightly charred around the edges. Jim Lahey, the baking genius behind New York City’s celebrated Sullivan Street Bakery and Co. pizza restaurant, has developed a brilliant recipe that requires no kneading and produces an irresistible crust in any home oven—gas or electric—in fewer than five minutes. My Pizza shares this revolutionary technique and the creative pies that put Co. on the map, as well as recipes for salads, soups, and desserts to make a meal complete.
The pizzas in this book aren’t your usual, run-of-the-mill pies. In fact, Jim’s unique topping pairings—such as Corn and Tomato, Coppa and Fennel, and Potato and Leek—reinvigorate this American favorite. His whimsy is apparent in his Pepperoni Pie, which doesn’t include the cured meat we have all come to expect; instead, riffing on “pepperoni” as the Italian plural for “pepper,” Jim offers a pie with red pepper puree, ground lamb, and pecorino cheese. To round out dinner, My Pizza also has recipes for starters and side salads—such as Cannellini Bean Toast, Pea Soup, and Bibb and Roasted Squash Salad—and sweet finishes, from Milk Chocolate Sundae to Banoffee Pie.
With gorgeous color photographs and helpful tips on equipment and techniques, My Pizza unlocks the secrets of great, easy pizza for home cooks everywhere.”
1 This is the cover of Jim Lahey's new book, 'My Pizza.'
2 Here I am with Jim Lahey in his soon-to-open new bakery, also called Sullivan Street Bakery, located at 236 9th Avenue between 24th and 25th Streets.
3 I have known Jim for many, many years and he has made several appearances on my TV show.
4 Initially, Jim planned on being a sculptor and traveled to Italy for inspiration, where he became fascinated with how bakers there were 'sculpting' bread. His new passion was to introduce these 'peasant' breads to America.
5 In 1994, Jim opened Sullivan St. Bakery in Soho and moved to a larger space in 2000, selling bread, pizzas, rustic Italian pastries, and cookies. Today, he supplies more than 340 of New York's finest restaurants and markets with his bread!
6 This is the fabulous Pizza Rosa - recipe found on page 38 of 'My Pizza.' It's topped with just a simple crushed tomato sauce - yummy!
7 This is the superb Shiitake with Walnut Puree Pie - recipe on page 106 of 'My Pizza.'
8 This is the No-Knead Popeye Pizza topped with Gruyere, pecorino, buffalo mozzarella, thinly sliced garlic, fresh spinach, and drizzled with olive oil just before serving. You can watch a video at http://www.marthastewart.com/314354/popeye-pizza
9 Enjoying the evening with me were MSLO's Ellen Morrissey - VP Editorial Director of Special Projects and Lucinda Scala Quinn - Executive Editorial Director of Food/Entertaining.
10 And also Jennifer Aaronson - Editorial Director of Food and Entertaining at MSLO
11 There was a very nice turnout for this party.
12 Back in the brand new kitchen - large batches of dough will be mixed in a standing Hobart industrial mixer.
13 Jim has equipped the kitchen with a professional Polin deck oven, a wonderful choice for baking European-style crusty breads. These ovens have great heat distribution and plenty of steam for that perfect crust.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
What a DELISH party! Look so forward to trying this book. Yum!
Posted by: Hollye Jacobs, The Silver Pen | March 21st, 2012 at 12:57 am
Very delicious looking pizza...aah do you deliver at this late hour? I think this would be a lovely book to add to my collection. Martha, what was your favorite pizza?
Posted by: sherey | March 21st, 2012 at 1:55 am
Great as usual Martha, you have been my and my Partner Nicholas Anceral's insperation with the building of our business here in Toronto, Canada.
I will relay more info after our big Home Launch on April 11th 2012
Regards Hunter Williamson
Toronto, Canada.
Posted by: Anceral -Williamson | March 21st, 2012 at 2:54 am
Martha, I've enjoyed seeing Jim Lahey on your show and this cookbook looks like a must have for every kitchen! I'm drooling over the no- kneed Popeye pizza!
Posted by: Cindy F | March 21st, 2012 at 8:14 am
Great pics of Pizza Party. Indeed, you have isnpired many of us, Martha. LIVING on Hallmark show with Lucina and cast iron special had great recipe for quick pizza.
Posted by: ann | March 21st, 2012 at 9:02 am
Hi Martha,
I think I still have the show on tape where you went to Sullivan Street Bakery back in early 2000 to learn how to make bread the Jim Lahey way. Or maybe it was pizza. I only remember the long handled paddles you guys used to get the bread or pizza out of the hot oven and I also remember you wore jeans and a denim shirt and had short hair. Jim had his usual cap on. I just might get his pizza book so thanks for the link to Amazon. I prefer vegetables on my pizza and the more the merrier and to make it without having to knead the dough would be great. I am not a kneader. Corn and tomato or Potato and leek sounds like it might be good on a pizza and I practically taste it already! Thanks. Trish
Posted by: Trish | March 21st, 2012 at 9:30 am
Hi Martha, You sure do have fun going to so many great parties and this one must have been fantastic! Jim Lahey is a terrific pizza maker and I remember seeing him on your show before! What a great guy! His new book, My Pizza, should be a great seller! The Amazon website has a great presentation of Jim's book and the price is great! You and Jim look so happy in these photos and I'll bet you enjoyed tasting so many different pizza's there! The photos of some of the pizza's look so delicious! Ellen, Lucinda, and Jennifer must have had a great time, also! The Hobart mixer and the Polin deck oven are spectacular!! Thanks for sharing this blog post about Jim and his new bakery and the My Pizza book-I love it! Hope you have another great day! Off to see The Daily Wag where F&S are visiting your office in NYC! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | March 21st, 2012 at 9:34 am
As usual the foodstuffs look marvelous. But I'm drooling over that oven. Egad!
Posted by: r steven page | March 21st, 2012 at 9:38 am
Martha,
The pizza pies look delicious! Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | March 21st, 2012 at 10:34 am
Oh, Martha!
Super yummm. Like Jan said, you look so happy. How could you not be happy? LOL...
I guess I do need another cookbook...Amazon, here I come!
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | March 21st, 2012 at 10:49 am
I love the no kneed bread. This should be a great book!
Posted by: Holiday Baker Man | March 21st, 2012 at 11:58 am
I'm going to buy that book and make some pizza!
Posted by: homer | March 21st, 2012 at 1:16 pm
Yummy! It is too hot for Pizza. Extraordinary hot weather in Atlantic Canada. It will cool off on the weekend and I am going to try that crust.
I like fennel, black olives, pineapple and italian sausage on my pizza.
My Crocus are blooming. The crows ate some tulip bulbs that were not dug in deep enough. A gardening lesson for fall.
Posted by: RT Scott | March 21st, 2012 at 1:37 pm
What a great MAN show. Hallmark channel show is always good. We all love steak and Emeril's are the best. I think there is nothing better than a well cooked steak..unless it is some of this pizza!
Posted by: ann | March 21st, 2012 at 3:09 pm
I love to see the rewarding of passion. A great story! I am a Baker/Pastry Chef/Chef also. It was great to see the same floor mixer I use shown on Martha Stewart's blog!!!
Posted by: Leigh | March 21st, 2012 at 7:38 pm
I have made Jim's no-knead bread several times, a favorite odf mine and my sisters. I can hardly wait to get the pizza crust recipe. Yum, Yum.
Posted by: sandy Lingo | March 21st, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Hi Martha!
I'm obsessed with your foodie pursuits!
I know you get millions of emails but I hope to hear from you about my comment
!
I just wrote a cookbook and would love to share a recipe or two with you - Asian inspired dishes with a classic twist - but don't use the word FUSION!!! haha!!!
Hope I can feed you!! and even offer a giveaway to you readers?
http://www.agfg.com.au/Blog/post/2012/01/16/Book-Review-Building-a-Perfect-Meal.aspx#comment
THANKS! Michelle xx
Posted by: michelle | March 22nd, 2012 at 10:31 am
Dear Martha,
Sorry to post on this site, I was wanting to know an answer to the Maple cheesecake with roasted pears, but the site won't recognise me.
My question is I don't know of a bought press in crust, but somebody mentioned vanilla wafers, are they the ones with cream in the middle please and what quantity to use please?.
I have just watched your St.Patrick's Day show here in Australia, I didn't know you were shown here, what a delightful surprise. Loved the look of the corned salmon etc, can't wait to make this.
With my kindest regards from "Down Under"
Posted by: Aussie gal | March 22nd, 2012 at 11:10 pm
Pizza is not really bad for you because it has grain,cheese and tomato sauce. these are normal healthy things but depends what kind of pizza it is. I like pizza wandsworth
Posted by: Pizza Wandsworth | March 23rd, 2012 at 3:15 am
Australia may not know about 'Nilla' vanilla wafers but just a plain tiny sugar cookie, English may call them biscuits. This site often does not answer me when I question ACA politics here in United States but I still love Martha blog. my thoughts are
"crushed cookie or graham crackers into crumbs and then mixed with butter and pressed into pan are very easy"
Posted by: ann | March 23rd, 2012 at 10:10 am
I love the photos by Squire Fox! I need pictures in my cookbooks to visualize and these are beautiful
Posted by: Shannon | March 30th, 2012 at 7:03 am
Martha thank you for everything you do, we are all much richer in health and happiness . We have very blessed to have in our lives and thank you for sharing your world with us. We hope you continue on with your website. One of your many loyal supporters from Australia Helen Casagrande
Posted by: Helen Casagrande | May 20th, 2012 at 6:45 am