ChefView
By Dana Johnson
Paul’s Rustic Oven
Pizza, Make it an Event!
So there I was, working at Sciabica’s 78th anniversary party and annual case sale showcasing 6 Dana~licious original recipes with their remarkable olive oils for their special customers when I smelled something else that was making me hungry! The customers were walking in licking their lips and raving about the pizza from a wood-fire d pizza oven in the parking lot! Yes, I had to investigate and find the pizza that kick -started this Sciabica party!
Paul’s Rustic Oven had me before the first bite! I’d never seen anything like it. A handcrafted wood fired oven, Valoriani by Magnaini that is mobile! Fresh artisan pizza that has redefined delivery! So I asked Justin, John, and Jon who were rolling out the delish lil’pies; “Would you actually come to my house and make them for me and my party guests?”, and with 3 smiling faces they all said “Oh Yay!” They are becoming well known throughout the valley and beyond for catering weddings, graduations, parties, school, and fundraiser events. Save the date Nov. 29, 2014 as Paul’s Rustic Oven will be at Del Rio Country Club for a Hope Haven West charity golf tournament. See details www.hopehavenwest.com<http://www.hopehavenwest.com> providing mobility (wheelchairs) to the disabled poor in the developing world.
The day after the Sciabica party, Paul’s Rustic Oven was going to be at the Heidi Brunk Foundation benefit concert known as the Sierra Music Festival in Oakdale and I wanted to try some more! My daughters joined me in meeting Chef Paul Ollson, the owner of Paul’s Rustic Oven and together we indulged in more specialty pizzas. See www.paulsrusticoven.com<http://www.paulsrusticoven.com>, on FB, too, for the quality list of menu items available to create some truly Dana~licious pizzas like the classic pepperoni, aged tri-tip and blue cheese crumbles, plus lamb, Kalamata olives, and feta pizzas is a mere hint of Chef Paul’s impressive list of possibilities.
Paul not only supports local charities, he shops for local freshness at Oakdale Cheese, Fiscalini, Sciabica’s, Sprouts, Stanislaus Foods, O’Brien’s, and Save Mart to create his signature Neapolitan style pizzas.
So now that I have you drooling to sample Paul’s pizza, you can! Thursday nights, 5:30-9pm (weather permitting) @ Bella Vagos (previously Portofino’s) 521 McHenry here in Modesto, plus live music and spirits, too! Count me in!
Modesto View’s signature question; Beatles or Stones? “ Oh, it’s gotta be the Stones!!!” It all makes perfect sense; Chef Paul has been listening to the Stones while creating his rockin’ pizzas!!!
Asian Pear, Gorgonzola and Caramelzed Pecans
Thin cut Asian Pear slices 2 tablespoon caramelized Pecans 2 oz shredded Mozzarella cheese 2 oz Gorgonzola cheese crumbles
To assemble pizza
1. preheat oven to 550 or higher and place pizza stone on middle rack
2. roll dough into a 10 inch circle. Remove stone and place dough on the floured pizza stone.
3. Lightly spread mozzarella over the dough. Overlay pear slices and sprinkle with Gorgonzola crumbles. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly brown.
4. Remove pizza and top with pecans. Slice and serve.
Paul’s Rustic Oven 209-604-8838 www.PaulsRusticOven.com<http://www.paulsrusticoven.com/> www.Facebook.com/PaulsRusticOven<http://www.facebook.com/PaulsRusticOven>
