Breaking free of chain restaurants. Something we did when Iron Bridge opened, years after JK’s closed. For quite a while, we were in that chain restaurant limbo, meeting friends or just going out on Fridays after a long tiring work week. Nothing but the circuit of places like Macaroni Grill, TGIF, Outback, Carrabas, Bertucci’s, whatever.
Sometimes I wonder if anyone in Columbia or Ellicott City ever cooks on Friday nights. There were nights with beepers for 60-90 minutes.
When we moved out here, we tried to break that cycle. We still headed to Iron Bridge early, or El Azteca.
These days, though, grilling at home has replaced eating out. This year, I have been working at making grilled flatbreads. Trying techniques. Experimenting with dough.
I think I found a winner in Harris Teeter’s pizza dough.
Ready to go on the grill. As for toppings, all sorts of CSA and home made goodies, and a few special items.
Top right. Tomato paste, mushrooms, olives and Italian seasonings. Below it, my homemade pesto and some goat cheese from Roots. The left pizza. All of the toppings including some roasted sweet peppers and my roasted garlic.
Seriously, this is one awesome flatbread.
Served with a Linden Rose wine. 2012. All told, less than half the cost of going out to dinner. Well worth it.
hocofood@@@
AnnieRie Unplugged 