Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Trader Joes Pizza Dough


Okay I have been reading and here about this pre-prepared pizza dough for a while now and I was at Trader Joes the other day and decided to get some. I am going to try it again, but at first blush I didn’t love it. I like mine better. The big problem I had is I cooked it far longer then the recipe called for (and for as long as my toppings could hold out) but it was still doughy especially in the middle, and that was flat out soggy (if you look at the picture close enough you can see how it feel apart when I took it off the pizza stone). However, you can’t beat the ease and the flavor was fine. I think next time I will just  bake a bit then add toppings and continue…. We will see.

I am not giving you a recipe for this because… well it was a pizza. The sauce was a cilantro pesto (just make your regular pesto recipe but use cilantro. Also I sometimes substitute almonds for the pine nuts or walnuts but any are fine), then I added onion, shrimp and some fresh basil and of course cheese!! I think next time I would skip the basil (not bad, didn't add anything since the cilantro took center stage) but add feta…yummy.

**Update:  Since this post a friend turned me on to the perforated pizza pan.  I still recommend pre-baking the crust prior to adding toppings, but the pan was a game changer!


Remember 5 more days until you have to have your entry's to me for the contest!! Go over and see Chef E's and Kristen's post. Chef E http://cookappeal.blogspot.com/2009/05/f-f-f-and-f-f.html and Kristen http://whatcha-eatin.blogspot.com/2009/05/thai-inspired-dinner-with-good-friend.html.

11 comments:

Chef E said...

I have been wondering about that pizza dough. I noticed Pillsbury had a new version of theirs, 'thin crust', but I do not trust them, as they have been soggy too! I like my brick oven pizza, but none around here, only NYC fat crusted pies :(

Kristen said...

Cilantro pesto - what a great idea! I have to admit I know nothing about Trader Joe's as we don't have them up here in Canada...but I keep reading about them around blogland.

Reeni said...

I have been seeing a lot of bloggers using trader joe's dough, too. I'm sorry you didn't like it. Your toppings sound wonderful, though!

The Marinara said...

i don't say this often, but will you cook for me sometime? Despite the dough (i have had similar frustrations with TJ's dough) that pizza looked amazing.

sketchy said...

Their whole wheat and herbed doughs are not worth the effort. They are tough and overly chewy. I've had mixed success with the regular dough. I get the oven up to 550 convection, when I am ready to slide the pizza onto the stone, I turn off the convection and bake it for a few minutes.

I still have better luck with my own dough (BBA Recipe)

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Heather S-G said...

Well, sounds good anyway! And looks beautiful :)

Sweet Cheeks said...

Okay here is a response all at once...

Chef E, I am with you on the pillbury.

Kristen- I feel very sad you do not have Trader Joe's ;(

Koolz.... any time, any time.

Girl chef, it actually was good, despite the flub up with the dough.

Whew. That was a mouthful!

Sketchy, I am going to try adn find your recipe and give it a whirl.


Carrol I will go check out the blogs

RVA Foodie said...

I've tried all of the TJs doughs and the experience didn't leave me with any memorable impression. On the other hand, whenever I make my own dough (recipe on blog) it's awesome. And when I'm too lazy for that, I stop at Mary Angela's (or any of their related restaurants) and buy a large dough ball for under $3. I like to think mine is better, but my pride factors in, I'm sure.

Maris said...

Mmmm this looks so good! I love thin crust pizza but sometimes when I make my own I just can't get the crust thin enough!

figtreeapps said...

Now you have convinced me to try Traders dough.. Thanks Figtreeapps