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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Pizza w/ Slow-Roasted Tomatoes, Roasted Garlic, Italian Sausage w/ Fennel, & Basil {food 'n flix}

I hesitate to put this out there.  But, since this month's chosen flick for Food 'n Flix was Eat Pray Love, I guess I'm gonna have to.  So.  Here goes.  I'm gonna say it.  Puttin' it out there.  I don't like this movie...or this book.  Eek!  Don't hate me.  I wanted to like it.  I expected to like it.  I mean...I'm a fan of chick flicks (and chick lit).  It has all the criteria to fit snugly into the categories of movies I love to watch at least once a year as a little getaway or girl time.  It has delicious food, cute guys, gorgeous settings, and a story line that I want to be great.  I want to covet Liz's life for a couple of hours.  But I don't.  I'm sure the book put me off the movie.  Which is fairly normal for me.  But in a different way.  Usually if I want to enjoy the movie, I can't read the book first because as you know, the movie rarely does the book justice.  So, I hesitated picking up the book first.  But, in true Heather form, I couldn't resist the book.  I could hear it whispering to me every time I walked by it at the library.  I gave in.
Much to my chagrin.  I guess it's not really fair for me to say that I didn't like the entire book since I couldn't actually get through the whole thing.  I really thought it tried too hard.  I found it pretentious.  Again, this is hard for me to write, because I don't enjoy dismissing anybody's hard work.  The words just sounded so scripted...so meant for a movie.  Me, Me, Me!  See what I did!  I find "look at me" stories hard to stomach in any medium or setting, though.  So basically what I'm trying to say is that it's possible I may have enjoyed the movie (which this post is supposed to be about) had I not tried to read the book first.  But since I couldn't disconnect, I'll never know.  I mean, how can you not adore Julia Roberts?  And I'm a sucker for the crinkles in the corner of James Franco's eyes when he smiles.  And pizza in Naples?  Yes, please!

There were, however a few scenes here and there that I enjoyed.  I enjoyed Elizabeth's simple breakfast plate of egg, bread, asparagus, and tomato on the floor with a newspaper with the Italian sun streaming in.  I enjoyed the supporting cast of characters such as Ketut, Richard, Wayan and Tutti.  I have a few favorite quotes such as "God dwells within you, as you" and "Not too much God, not too much selfish...otherwise, lose balance" and "ruin is the road to transformation".  I just don't find myself with a craving to watch this film again.  I did watch it when it first came out on dvd, then again this month so that I could refresh my memory and write this post.  To each their own, right?
As far as inspiration to head into the kitchen, I was stuck on the pizza.  I'm sure you don't really need a recipe for pizza, so I won't give you one.  I'll just give you the method and ingredients that inspired me that day.

non-recipe for Pizza w/ Slow-Roasted Tomatoes, Roasted Garlic, Italian Sausage with Fennel, & Basil
yield: 1 pizza

pizza dough (homemade or storebought...your choice)
olive oil
roasted garlic
loose Italian sausage
fennel seeds
crushed red chile flakes
mozzarella cheese
fresh basil

Cook sausage in a pan until done, adding a good amount of fennel seed and crushed red chiles toward the end of cooking.  Drain fat and set aside.

Pat or roll dough out into desired shape.  Drizzle with olive oil.  Cover with desired amount of cheese.  Scatter sausage and however many tomatoes and roasted garlic cloves as you wish.  Bake in preheated over (~400° F for 12-15 minutes-ish).  Scatter torn basil over top.  Enjoy!
I know are going to be some people who vehemently disagree with my opinion on this (and I'm okay with that).  I'd love to know your thoughts...

Eat Pray Love is the January '12 Food 'n Flix pick hosted at The Law Student's Cookbook.  Posts inspired by this flick are due on the 28th of January, so you still have time to cook something up and share your thoughts on the film.
Food‘nFlix
I am also sharing this post with:
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Would you like to comment?

  1. Yes, I'll take that pizza. Preferably in Italy with the sun shining in...

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  2. Stunning pizza! I just couldn't with that book (or movie). Everything I heard about it made me cringe more! Although if I knew James Franco was in it I may have come around. I'm just not that attracted to Javier Bardem.

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  3. do you have any idea how much i love you for this?!  i couldn't bring myself to see the movie after reading the book.  seriously..the italy part was okay...who doesn't like food...but honestly i couldn't wait to get to the end...and another thing..i hated her by the end.  i wanted to make t-shirts that said...eat..pray..love..get over yourself.  okay, now on to the pizza...looks delicious and i'd like to take a fork to those tomatoes...i could eat gobs and gobs of them!

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  4. ditto....and his part isn't long enough to justify watching it.

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  5. I am so happy to hear that I'm not the only one!  I can't believe you even made it to the end.  I'd buy one of those t-shirts.

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  6. Loved your choice for Donna Hay! Those bananas on top are perfect. I'm copying that recipe.

    The pizza looks divine. (I was forced to finish the book as it was my book group's choice; my daughter forced me to see the movie, which I liked even less.)

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  7. Oh thank heavens for your honesty!  It's so nice to know that I'm not the only one who wasn't completely enamored with the book.  It took me forever to read Eat. Pray. Love!  I started to read it almost as soon as I bought my Kindle, but after the first couple of pages I just couldn't read any more.  Then a couple of months later, after hearing and reading about all of the hype, I decided to give it another try.  Took me about 3 weeks to read it.  I LOVED the Italy part, but I had to force myself to read the rest, hoping that it would get better and waiting to like it as much as I did the Italy part. (Never happened!)  I bought the movie almost as soon as it came out, but I haven't been able to get past the Italy part!  I'm forcing myself to watch it this weekend, so I can participate in Food n' Flix this month.  

    Your pizza looks lovely!  

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  8. I didn't read the book but I'd love a slice or two of that pizza! Looks fantastic!

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  9. You're not alone!  I'm glad you're forcing yourself to watch it...just because I want you to join in ;P

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  10. I've avoided the book and movie because you are not alone. I've heard not good things. Anyway, your pizza sounds devine and I'll eat in Italy with the sunshine or here in Pennsylvania holed up in the kitchen on a snowy evening.

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  11. The pizza looks heavenly and I too did not like Eat Pray Love (the book) as much as the rest of the world. I have not seen the movie, but maybe I will just for the scenery.

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  12. There's definitely a lot of people that don't like the book/movie. Oh well! At least it got you some yummy pizza.

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  13. ChocolateandcroissantsJanuary 21, 2012 at 12:28 PM

    That pizza does look good.  Enjoy your weekend.  PS Twitter sent me a notice saying I was hacked-of course days after you sent me the notice.

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  14. Amazingly baked.....

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  15. I watched the film with my husband (he's the romantic/girlie movie lover in the house-I prefer action packed adventures with unbelievable plots and lots of car chases).  We both kept looking at each other like the movie was torture!  We didn't make it through the whole thing.  Glad to know we weren't the only ones not on that bandwagon!!

    Fennel and sausage is always a winner on pizza!  We like to add maple too.  Now I'm hungry. :)

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  16. Roasted garlic is one of my favorite things on pizza along with italian sausage, roasted peppers and onions. Sounds like a good idea for Saturday night. Sorry the book and movie didn't work for you. No need to feel bad. That's why there are so many other books and movies out there. I am going to go check out Food 'N Flix. Sounds like fun.

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  17. I actually...didn't like this movie either.  and didn't read the book. I also found it VERY pretentious. Like...who really has the money to just leave their life behind and go traveling?  No one. Only the very privileged. 

    But I DO like this pizza! Yum on many accounts!

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  18. Exactly.  And yes, I hope you join in Food 'n Flix.  There's a new movie each month (picked by the host...a few spots open in 2012 if you feel like picking/hosting).  Next month is My Big Fat Greek Wedding! =)

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  19. Que buena pinta, una delicia.

    Saludos

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  20. I read a bunch of reviews of this book, but couldn't even bring myself to pick it up to read the back.  Just no appeal to me. oh well, lots of books, lots of readers, we don't have to like them all.

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  21. I agree with you about the movie.  I watched it and I liked it well enough, but let's be realistic.  Who was the money to go traipsing all around the world indulging in themselves?  I found it too indulgent!

    Your pizza looks incredible, from the crust to the toppings. Yum:)

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  22. Whoops...I meant who has the money..

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  23. Peggy @ Peggy Ann's PostJanuary 21, 2012 at 6:08 PM

    Mmmm Oh my am I hungry now!

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  24. That pizza looks good! As for Eat Pray Love... I only watched the movie, and it is self-centered and pretentious. Things improve slightly when she goes to Italy, but the self-congratulatory speech in Naples about how she wasn't going to count calories anymore made me want to projectile vomit.

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  25. I went to a pizza party last night and your pizza would have been 10 times better.  I've never watched the movie but now I want to.  :) 

    I want more pizza.

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  26. I would give in to pizza too Heather!

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  27. I didn't like the book either, and so didn't see the movie.  Your pizza.  That I like. 

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  28. I'm with you! After all the hype the movie was a big let down and the book I only read a few pages and had no desire to pick it up again. I won't say I hated the movie, just was expecting more from it. A lot more. Your pizza, however would not disappoint! Love your toppings especially the slow roasted tomatoes.

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  29. I wanted to like Eat, Pray, Love too - but wasn't a huge fan either. But I am a fan of pizza, and yours looks delish!  I can always use another pizza recipe.

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  30. lovely movie delicious looking pizza to watch with the movie

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  31. Your pizza is a stunner. I never got the pray part of the book and it was even fuzzier in the movie.  That is of course said with the unwritten IMHO. Have a great weekend. Blessings...Mary

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  32. OK I want that roasted cherry tomato.
    www.thegirlieblog.com

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  33. I've not seen the movie or read the book.  But this pizza looks wonderful.  Especially with those slow roasted tomatoes.  

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  34. I am far from hating you for this! I cannot stand Eat Pray Love and wouldn't see the movie ... I find it very pretentious and incredibly irritating that this privileged woman flits around finding herself because she has enough money to do it - but no self awareness about it. So self congratulatory. To be fair, though, I am not a fan of the chick lit or chick flick genre. And now everyone can hate me because: I can't stand Julia Roberts either! lol. Now this pizza on the other hand - what's not to love??? 

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  35. So how do I know if my sausage was made by a "loose Italian"?  Should I question the morals of my local purveyor of charcuterie?  (ha ha ha, just kidding, I know you are talking about bulk sausage)

    I like this pizza especially with the added fennel.  I might even sneak a little extra caraway seed too to boost the sausage flavors.

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  36. Beautiful pizza!
    I haven't read the book or seen the movie.  And I don't plan to...the subject matter is not my thing.

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  37. I actually liked the book--maybe because I read it at a time I was quitting a regular job and not sure what I was going to be doing. The movie I wanted to like but it went on way too long. Ah well. more about that in my F'nF entry this week. ;-) Your pizza, now that I love! It looks scrumptious. ;-)

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  38. Ha! I almost spit. Caraway seed sounds like a great booster =)

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  39. I'm just relieved to hear that I'm not the only one...it seemed like I was in the minority, but apparently the field is pretty even.

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  40. People often find it hard to believe that I like action/adventure equally as well as chick-flicks...not to mention other genres, but it just depends on my mood.  I'll have to agree with your torture sentiments. And OH- MAPLE. YUM!

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  41. I cannot pass judgement I never read the book, only watched oprah talk about it on her show.  I was lazy enough to watch the movie and I feel asleep on the couch.  maybe if I would have had a HUGE slice of this pizza i would have stayed awake, lol.  Glad you were honest. and from reading the previous comments the feeling was mutual.

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  42. I hated this book.  HATED it!  I wanted to participate in Food n Flix but the book had left me with a bad taste in my mouth (no pun intended).  You made a lovely pizza here.  Makes up for the book and movie.

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  43. Understandable...although, you don't have to enjoy the flick to post about it...you just have to cook from it ;)

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  44. I did find the book a bit pretentious at first, but once I found out that the author had gotten a book advance to fund her trip, I looked at it for what it was and started to enjoy it.  I did pick up on some quotes and philosophies that I liked, which contributed to my enjoyment of the book.  But the movie was just horrible.  Except for some of the food scenes in Italy - the breakfast scene was one of my favorites too.  This pizza is a perfect way to erase the memory of the movie from your mind!  Looks fabulous!

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