Author Topic: JT's WFO pies (Read 23911 times)

Pete-zza · « **Reply #160 on:** July 27, 2011, 10:25:44 AM »

Kelly,

The earliest reference that I could find on the forum that mentions the "elite" NY style, and draws a distinction between that style and the NY "street" style, goes back to April, 2004, at http://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php/topic,361.msg2842.html#msg2842. Two of the members who discussed this topic, Arthur and Canadave, were both long-time veterans of the NY pizza scene.

I have always been intrigued by the evolution of NY pizza to the point where I found myself researching the invention of the planetary mixer (Hobart), deck ovens and refrigeration, and when they were commercialized on a fairly wide scale, and also the evolution of flours, from the early all-purpose flours, bread flours, and finally high-gluten flours. I doubt that that there are many pizza operators today in the metro NYC area who are making their doughs by hand but I would imagine that there are many who are still using same day doughs made with all-purpose flours (scott123 may be able to comment on this). It was also interesting to read about when sugar and oil were added to the NY doughs, after deck ovens were commercialized for baking pizzas.

Peter

Jackie Tran · « **Reply #161 on:** July 27, 2011, 11:00:39 AM »

Wow, great info guys! I too only picked up the term elite from this forum and don't care much for it either. Mainly because it gives a sense of an elitist mentality, which I don't like. I will refrain from using the term for future references.

Also, I failed to mention that the above pies were 75% HG and 25% 00. For my next bake, I'll be comparing a 100% HG pie versus my hybrid blend of 75% 00 and 25% HG. I have made good pies with both formulas and interested to see them side by side.

Chau

communist · « **Reply #162 on:** July 27, 2011, 11:26:58 AM »

Great pie Chau! Interesting discussion on heat sources. I have been enamored by the idea of coal pizza, but my dream was shattered when I walked into an anthracite coal oven pizza joint in Northeastern PA. I observed the oven, and had to search for the heat source in the back left. There were a few coals burning, and they gave off no aroma. I remember one of the advantages of anthracite was that it was clean burning - little smell, right? I asked the owner the deck temp - he measured with his IR gun, and reported 495. My pie was an 8 minute bake, and the crust was dead in the water. Flat, but crispy. Topping heavy and tasty, crust a dog. As I walked out weeping, I thought they used coal in NY for one reason, clean and cheap heat. My dream of a coal oven at home evaporated. I am using my steel plate, with great NY pies. I think a wood fire oven is the next step because the wood does burn dirty. That smoke and heat does help the final product. A lot of work, but adds magic. And your pies are a wonder! Mark

pizzablogger · « **Reply #163 on:** July 27, 2011, 11:56:44 AM »

Communist, don't let your dream be shattered.

It's not that coal as a fuel source cannot make a great pizza, it's that the particular pizzeria you visited doesn't know what they are doing.

Remember that pizza doesn't particularly care how the heat is being created. I've been to a fair share of wood fired pizzerias which were cranking out 8-9min pizzas with a tiny ember pile with no flames at all.

Coal in fact can burn very, very hot and make a great pizza.....but it all comes down to the people involved in the process. --K

communist · « **Reply #164 on:** July 27, 2011, 01:06:51 PM »

Thanks Pizzablogger

I keep my dream alive!

Jackie Tran · « **Reply #165 on:** July 27, 2011, 10:23:44 PM »

Thanks Mark. I would say your experience was lackluster because the dough was off. You would be surprise by what you can make even with a very tiny pile of coals. Look at the pie in reply #117. That is just one example of pies I have done with a very tiny cresent shaped pile of coals. Not more than 2" wide at the thickest part of the pile and stretched out in a semi circle. The dough was great for that pie so it turned out great even at a ~6 minute bake.

Chau

DrivenAgain · « **Reply #166 on:** July 28, 2011, 03:33:54 PM »

Chau,

Awesome video. I tried to be as cool as you...made a PERFECT pie and set up my camera, turned my back to position the camera one last time, and under the broiler the pizza caught fire!! I just HAD to be a show off right

Amazing looking NY pie my man!!

Jason

Jackie Tran · « **Reply #167 on:** July 28, 2011, 03:42:21 PM »

Thanks for the nice word and laugh Jason. Don't you think pizza making can be so unpredictable?

Chau

TXCraig1 · « **Reply #168 on:** July 28, 2011, 04:36:43 PM »

Quote from: DrivenAgain on July 28, 2011, 03:33:54 PM

Awesome video. I tried to be as cool as you...made a PERFECT pie and set up my camera, turned my back to position the camera one last time, and under the broiler the pizza caught fire!! I just HAD to be a show off right Amazing looking NY pie my man!!

Do you ever look up at the pizza when you hold it near the top of the oven to finish it? Often, little flames jump off the top of the pie. I guess it is steam jets on the surface spitting up little bits of oil. It's kind of cool looking especially when the fire from the wood is not too bright.

CL

Jackie Tran · « **Reply #169 on:** August 05, 2011, 07:40:07 PM »

Here are some pizzas from my latest wfo bake.

A few NP's that I posted here....reply #10

http://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php/topic,14979.msg148889.html#msg148889

Here is a Totonno's style cheese pie that I made.

Jackie Tran · « **Reply #170 on:** August 05, 2011, 07:46:34 PM »

A made a couple of short videos of a few of the pies that we enjoyed.

A white pie with garlic chicken. Oops, I forgot the red onions on this one.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c7FIwNAM5E" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c7FIwNAM5E</a>

Half cheese, half meatball. The meatball pies were a crowd favorite.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CNW3Htpilw" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CNW3Htpilw</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=palPrPN-cLc" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=palPrPN-cLc</a>

chickenparm · « **Reply #171 on:** August 05, 2011, 08:43:48 PM »

A cheese pie? How dare ya?

Seriously,that looks so good,I it made my stomach growl.Nice Job!Wonderful char too!

I will check the videos in a little while...for some reason tonight,the interwebby thingy is sloowwwwwwwwww and the videos keep stopping.Must be massive online traffic.Very common around here though.

pizzablogger · « **Reply #172 on:** August 06, 2011, 09:57:00 AM »

Loving the Totonno' style pie.

Simplicity is a beautiful thing when everything is fresh.

Will watch videos later.....always enjoyable to follow your progress Chau. --K

chickenparm · « **Reply #173 on:** August 06, 2011, 03:35:03 PM »

The videos were

thanks for posting.

I loved the white pie and the meatball! Haven't had either one of those in years.

You're way past ready to open your own place.Seriously.Those look better than many places out there.

Jet_deck · « **Reply #174 on:** August 06, 2011, 03:45:53 PM »

Quote from: Jackie Tran on August 05, 2011, 07:46:34 PM

A made a couple of short videos of a few of the pies that we enjoyed.

A white pie with garlic chicken. Oops, I forgot the red onions on this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c7FIwNAM5E

Half cheese, half meatball. The meatball pies were a crowd favorite.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CNW3Htpilw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=palPrPN-cLc

Dom Demarco would be proud to cut through one of your cripsy goodness sounding pizzas.

Quick question. On these particular pizzas are you using ady/idy, your starter or fresh yeast? Keep up the good work. Thanks.

Jackie Tran · « **Reply #175 on:** August 06, 2011, 05:59:49 PM »

Thank you guys. The NY pies were made with IDY. I'll use starter when I have time to get it to the right/ripe stage. I love the consistency of IDY.

Chau

Pete-zza · « **Reply #176 on:** August 06, 2011, 06:29:55 PM »

Chau,

The pizzas in the videos are simply mah-velous!!

Query: Picking up on Bill's comment, is your passion for pizza greater than your passion as a nurse anesthetist?

Peter

Jet_deck · « **Reply #177 on:** August 06, 2011, 07:21:09 PM »

Peter, lest we not forget Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Just sayin'

norma427 · « **Reply #178 on:** August 06, 2011, 09:44:14 PM »

Chau,

I enjoyed seeing the videos of you cutting your pizzas!

Great job all around.

Norma

Jackie Tran · « **Reply #179 on:** August 06, 2011, 10:04:37 PM »

Thanks Peter and Norma. Peter, I do enjoy my day job and make a good living. I can't imagine trading that out for the risk of a new pizzeria. Thank goodness I can enjoy making pizza while getting the bills paid. Perhaps someday I can try my hand at a mobile pizza business on the weekends.

Gene, good thing I don't need a degree and certification to practice making pizza.

Chau