Out of the blaze and onto my plate!
Pizza is the ultimate comfort food and it's no wonder three billion pizzas are sold in the U.S.A every year, according to Statistic Brain, while the average person eats 46 slices. Yes, it’s true. I counted them in my Instagram.
I'll stop there.
Pizzerias are at ubiquity and counting because it's obvious, there is no such thing as too much dough. One of the newer chains is Blaze Pizza and Temecula, California got its very own, about a year ago. Elise Wetzel, wife of the founder of Wetzel Pretzel, started the chain in 2012 and has NBA star, LeBron James, as an investor.
This fast casual dining spot has a super trendy approach to serving up pies. Its open interactive kitchen allows you to order from a hip menu or walk down the assembly line and “BYO” (Build Your Own). You don’t have to ask me twice.
Executive Chef Bradford Kent, developed a master recipe that is used in making fresh dough daily, at each location. In a mixer goes simple ingredients—flour, water, yeast, olive oil, salt and sugar—that requires a 24 hour fermentation period. Once the dough is ready, a friendly pizza-smith assembles and cooks it by fire.
All pizzas are 11 inches. Although they are personal size, I was full with just three slices, therefore shareable. High-rise dough, gluten-free and vegan options are available upon request.
Base: On their signature dough, I requested garlic pesto sauce. This aromatic sauce looked light so I proceeded with a secondary layer of red spicy sauce. I absolutely loved this combination of sauces.
Cheese: From their list of eight cheeses, I had mozzarella and goat cheese.
Half toppings: pepperoni, mushroom and jalapeño.
Half toppings: red onion, bell pepper, roasted garlic cloves, artichoke, roasted butternut squash and kalamata olives.
Finish: Once all the toppings where in place, I requested a sprinkling of parm and oregano.
Boom! I created something ordinary on one half and something unique on the other half in order to compare and contrast. My pizza was ready in 10 minuets. The crust was thin, crispy and scrumptious. The quality and flavor is blazing fire all around! It was well worth stepping out the house on a cold rainy night, for sure.
Complete your meal with one of their fresh house made salads. Choose from: Classic Caesar, Roasted Squash & Quinoa, Tomato & Mozzarella, Kale & Quinoa, Arugula & Fresh Fruit.
Wash down the cheese with tea, lemonade or agua fresca. Beer and wine are served at selected locations. If your sweet-tooth calls for a fix, a s'more pie, sea salt cookie or olive oil brownie might do the trick.