Jonathon Schuhrke is a former cartographer and geographic information systems (GIS) analyst who decided a few years ago to devote himself to, you guessed it, pizza. Making pizzas is what my hands want to do. Thinking about pizza is what my mind wants to do. Eating pizza is what my mouth wants to do. The love is real, he writes. Since making the career change, he has become the go-to guru on the outdoor pizza oven, on his blog Santa Barbara Baker and on his Instagram and YouTube channels, as well as a widely respected creator of exciting new pizza recipes. He combines take-it-to-the-bank wisdom for troubleshooting pizza-oven baking-solving common challenges like the dough edges burning before the center of the dough is cooked, or choosing the ideal surface (steel vs. cast-iron vs. stone) on which to bake a pizza-with a wide-ranging palate that makes room for classic pizza-parlor pies, upscale European artisan pizzas, and pizzas made with adventuresome ingredients from around the globe. He lives and makes pizzas in Santa Barbara, California.
Fresh and as full of wordplay as it is of pizzas, this vibrant book emphasizes the new accessibility of outdoor pizza ovens and the possibilities they unleash, from replicating pizzeria-quality dishes to creating pizzas that meet the personal preferences of eaters. Schuhrke, who blogs at Santa Barbara Baker, outlines the necessary tools, shares tips and tricks for doughs that cooks “knead” to know (even including a quick explanation of how to use store-bought dough in a pinch). He provides recipes for Italian and American classics alongside modern twists and artisanal trends, as well as a selection of calzones and fire-roasted side dishes. Schuhrke takes readers on epic adventures in eatingthat will get them outside and save them the drive to their nearest pizzeria. * Library Journal *