Mozzarelli’s GF Pizza and Pasta, originally uploaded by A Gluten-Free Guide.

Yesterday, Mozzarelli’s pizzeria in NYC hosted a Gluten-Free day. The restaurant is usually closed on Saturdays and Sundays, but they opened for a special Sunday Gluten-Free extravaganza. They prepared a whole restaurant full of gluten-free pizza, pasta, desserts and more.

With countless types of pizza, homemade ravioli and even gluten-free zeppoli (the Italian version of doughnuts – but lighter and yummier) I was in a quandary – how could I possibly choose? Luckily, they were giving samples of the great penne alla vodka and gluten-free pasta with pesto sauce. They could pack anything to go, so I ordered the spinach quiche, chicken parmigiano, and two slices of pizza.

I had the chance to talk to Chef Ronny, the genius behind the NY style gluten-free pizza crust. The best balance of texture, flavor and crunch that I have had since my Celiac diagnosis. He was inspired by his niece, who was unable to eat at his restaurant until he developed the special menu. Ronny is excited by the challenge and was particularly proud of the homemade gluten-free breadcrumbs he perfected for yesterday’s menu. Thank goodness, because that enabled him to create the scrumptious eggplant pizza and chicken parm.

The gluten-free zeppoli were perfect – even lighter and more delicate than the gluten-free doughnut holes I had in Denver. They were such a hit they sold out well before closing. But my favorite dessert was the gluten-free cheesecake. Definitely the best I have had in a restaurant (I am partial to my homemade gluten-free cheesecake recipe).

Mozzarelli’s hosted a gluten-free day back in November, but I was in VA being forced to watch football that weekend and missed out on the celebration. If there is continued demand, Mozzarelli’s hopes to host Gluten-Free pizza, pasta and dessert Sundays once a month. I will keep everyone updated when the next event is scheduled. In the meantime, on weekdays they have a selection of 3-4 types of gluten-free pizza by the slice: separated from the regular gluten-glutton pizza and prepared with dedicated equipment. It’s such a luxury to be able to run into a local pizzeria, grab a single gluten-free slice and know that they are taking care to prevent cross-contamination.

Ronny and I had a great time talking about gluten-free baking. I am sure he will continue to excel when facing the challenge and look forward to tasting his new creations. Thank you to everyone at Mozzarelli’s for their warmth, enthusiasm and a delectable gluten-free menu.

Mozzarelli’s GF Pie Fresh From the Oven, originally uploaded by A Gluten-Free Guide.

Mozzarelli’s
38 E 23rd St, New York 10010
Btwn Park & Madison Ave
Phone: 212-475-6777
Fax: 212-475-6888
Open: Mon-Fri 11am-7pm

As previously announced, we are having a gluten free pizza party. With more than 20 recipes and tastings you will have a whole new set of skills and products to add to your gluten free pizza repertoire.

Gluten Free Pizza Recipes:

Shauna never fails us with her gluten free recipes, her crunchy, slightly nutty pizza crust will surely delight. Of course the chef also put his gluten free pizza skills on display with this slice embellished with heirloom tomatoes, caramelized onions and rosemary.

Jean in Washington, shares a whole grain pizza crust recipe that makes use of flax seeds.

Mike, a gluten free cookbook author and blogger extraordinaire, gives us a traditional thick crust recipe using teff and millet flours.

The Gluten-Free Gastro-Gnome specializes in putting sorghum flour to work, but her gluten free pizza crust uses bean and tapioca flour.

Ellen who has five kids to please with her cooking made a fantastic roasted vegetable gluten free pizza on her first try.

Gluten a Go Go in Westchester County, NY has two gluten free crust recipes to add to your lists, once again you have to trust a pizza that can stand up to the toughest critics – children.

Wheatless Bay tops her gluten free pizza with mushrooms, caramelized onions and canadian bacon.

Mrs. GF makes a foldable pizza crust - the NY-style pizza lovers will love this.

Sheri made a BBQ pizza for the round up and uses garlic and herb cheese spread instead of red sauce on another pizza creation.

The impossibly cute Suzi of Gluten Free Living gives us five versions including one with roast lamb to create a gourmet gluten free pizza.

The indomitable Lynn of Free to Eat puts her “Lovely Loaf” to the pizza test.

Flamenco Mom in NYC gives you the tools for making a gluten free/casein free pizza.

Julie in Boulder, CO tempts us with his and her pizza photos but doesn’t share her recipe that is still being perfected.

Gluten Free Pizza Reviews:

Rob and Diana give top marks to the Glutino gluten free pizza but their reviews don’t stop there.

Jennifer Ate gives us a taste of three different options when it has to be pizza.

Sheri gives her thumbs up to the Arrowhead Mills mix.

Gluten Free Pizza Fun:

David of Gluten Free NYC keeps us laughing with Gluten Free Pizza a la Sedaris.

My additions to the party include a Zucchini Crust Pizza and a round-up of other gluten free pizza resources.

Gluten Free Mixes and Crusts:

Gillians Foods frozen pizza dough was the canvas for the pizza pictured above. Kinnikinnick sells GF/CF pizza crusts and Chebe makes an OnTheGo Gluten Free Pizza Dough. And have you heard of Dad’s Gluten Free Pizza Crusts?

Frozen Gluten Free Pizzas:

When you are too tired to do any of the work – there are a number of options available to satiate your gluten free pizza cravings. EveryBody Eats, a gluten-free bakery in Brooklyn makes three different styles of NY-style pizza that can be mailed directly to your door. If you have to have it that night look at your local grocery store for gluten pizza options from Amy’s, Foods by George, or Glutino. (Van Harden is a new gluten free pizza to market, using a cheese crust similar to the currently unavailable Comfy Cuisine.)

Some of you may even live in areas lucky enough to have restaurants that serve gluten free pizza:

Arizona:
Picazzos, 7325 Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd (Scottsdale Promenade) (Cross Street: N Scottsdale Road) Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Phone: 480-990-2212

California:
Maurizio’s Italian Restaurant, 135 North Maryland Avenue, Glendale Phone: 818-247-5600. Call a day ahead and order the gluten-free pizza

Connecticut:
Frascati Restaurant 581 Newfield AvenueStamford, Connecticut Phone: 203-353-8900

Illinois:
Lou Malnati’s has multiple locations in the Chicago area that serve a crustless gluten free pizza (the “crust” is made from sausage)

Massachusetts:

Boynton Restaurant 117 Highland St Worcester, MA Phone: 508-756-5432

New York:
Cafe Baldo, 2849 Jerusalem Ave Wantagh, New York 11793 Phone: 516-785-4780
Mama’s Italian Restaurant, 1352 Montauk Highway Oakdale, New York Phone: 631-567-0909

Mozzarelli’s Pizza 38 E 23rd St, New York 10010 Btwn Park & Madison Ave Phone: 212-475-6777
Risotteria, 270 Bleecker St, New York 10014 Btwn 6th & 7th Ave Phone: 212-924-6664
Slice, 1413 2nd Ave, New York 10021 Btwn 73rd & 74th St Phone: 212-249-4353

Pennsylvania:
Jules Thin Crust, 78 South Main Street Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901 Phone: 215-345-8537
Manny B’s Pizzeria, 3820 Freemansburg Avenue Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania Phone: 610-866-8864

Let me know if I missed any good recipes or pizza offerings!

I was intrigued when I stumbled upon this pizza crust recipe made without a speck of flour. I decided to give it a try during my test run of recipes from Donna Klein’s new GF Cookbook. However, it was too big of a risk for me to rely solely on this for my dinner party. So as a backup, I prepared a second pizza using Gillian’s Foods gluten free pizza dough.

I was pleasantly surprised with how “crusty” the zucchini recipe turned out. I tasted a small piece after the first baking. Then topped it with a simple marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil to make a classic Margherita style pizza – with a rather nontraditional gluten free crust. While it tasted good, next time I will use a shredded mozzarella with less moisture to keep the crust a little crispier.

After a rushed defrost of the Gillians frozen pizza dough (oops, I was supposed to put it in the fridge to defrost the night before…) I was also pleased with my “back-up” gluten free pizza. I used a basil marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, kalamata olives and roasted red peppers to top the pie.

All of the guest seemed to enjoy both pizzas. Since half of them were gluten eaters, these recipes and products truly passed the test.

I’ve had past success using the Gluten Free Pantry pizza dough mix. It’s thick and doughy – more of a Chicago style deep dish. As a third alternative I also had two frozen Nature’s Hilights Brown Rice Pizza Crusts. This was for a guest that was on a restricted fat diet. The only ingredients are rice and water. Unfortunately the flavor is quite bland and I wouldn’t recommend the product unless you absolutely can’t use any of the other alternatives.

Zucchini Pizza Crust (from Donna Klein’s The Gluten-Free Vegetarian Kitchen)

2 to 2 ½ cups grated raw zucchini (about ¾ lb)
Salt
2 eggs
1 cup shredded gluten-free part-skim mozzarella cheese
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Lightly grease a standard-size nonstick baking sheet with sides. Place the zucchini in a colander set in the sink and sprinkle liberally with salt; let drain for about 15 minutes. Rinse under cold-running water and drain well. Transfer to several layers of paper towels and squeeze to thoroughly dry. Transfer to a large bowl and add the eggs mozzarella, and pepper; toss well to thoroughly combine. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, pressing mixture evenly into the sheet with your fingers. Bake in the center of the oven until light brown and crisp, 12 to 15 minutes. Use as directed in recipe.

(It’s really important to squeeze as much of the liquid out of the grated zucchini as possible before mixing with the other ingredients)

PS — My round up of gluten free pizza across the blogosphere is now live.

The event is open to all bloggers who write about food or eating gluten free. Just make your favorite pizza with all gluten free ingredients and post it to your blog on Friday, April 13th. Send me an email at glutenguide{at}gmail.com to let me know who you are, where you live and a link to your post. Then I will post a recap with a link to all of the delicious creations.

PS – any gluten free bloggers that aren’t already on my blogroll, please send me an email and I will add you ASAP