The Jealous Crumpet

A sweet little blog


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Pieology Pizzeria in Alabama!

Pieology PizzeraBridge Street Town Centre (in Huntsville, AL) has a pizza place! And it is delicious! I was cordially invited to Pieology’s Media Event (Thank-you Tim!) and got a sneak peek at the restaurant, met the talented staff, and, best of all, got to sample their delectable pizza.

Pieology Pizzeria at Bridge Street Town Centre

Pieology Pizzeria at Bridge Street Town Centre

Pieology Pizzeria originally started out west with the goal of creating fresh, customizable pizzas at a good price. Finally they’ve come to the south and we too can enjoy great ingredients, friendly service, and a fun experience.

Pieology Media Event

Happy people waiting for pie!

I attended the event with my husband. I took a photograph of him waiting in line with me as evidence, but he got annoyed that I was taken too long to take the picture and made a stupid expression at the last second. I should have posted the photo anyway (serves him right) but being the loving and benevolent wife that I am, I deleted it.

The line was long, as everyone was excited to sample the fare, but we got through quickly. Plus there is a giant quote wall along the line path, so you are entertained/inspired while you wait.

Pieology Pizza Oven

After several minutes of inspirational quote reading we were ready to order. A super friendly employee (I’m so sorry I forgot your name) explained our different crust options and put the fresh dough in a pizza press for a nice thin crust.  He was very nice so I feel terrible that I can’t remember his name.  I guess I was just too excited about the pizza.

Pieology Pizzeria

You can see my husband’s reflection in the bottom left of the photo. Sadly, that is the only decent shot I got of him at the lunch.

We then picked from one of seven different sauces. You an even mix and match them! I was completely uncreative and just went with the pre-designed Alfredo’s Alfredo pizza, but it was delicious, so I was happy with my decision. My hubby chose the Rustic Veggie. We planned to swap a couple of slices so we could try both, but we forgot. Oops! Guess we’ll just have to go back.

Fresh Ingredients at PieologyThen we picked our your cheeses and toppings.  Again, I just defaulted to the menu item, but I think I’ll get creative the next time.  The great thing is that every pizza is only $7.95 no matter how many toppings you get on it.

fresh ingredients at PieologyEverything is fresh as well. I was told they don’t even have freezers so you know you’re getting fresh food that is produced on site.

Oven at PieologyThis is inside the oven where all the magic happens!

Fresh food at Pieology

Manager Tim is on the right. Say hey to him when you go in for a visit. He is very helpful and nice.

After we picked out our toppings the pizza went into the oven to cook for 3 minutes.

We got our drinks.  There were 4 sweet tea choices so southerners will be happy.  And the tea was good, none of that canned nonsense which will remain nameless.  True southerners will know what I’m talking about.

Drink Station at Pieology

Drink Station at Pieology

We waited in the patio area for a very short time and Volia! yummy pizza goodness.

feature3

Looking at the photo I just realized that I did not follow the instructions of the number sign and place the sign at the edge of the table. It was pretty much in the middle, which is the opposite of the directions. Oops! I’ll know for next time.

I am looking forward to my next visit.  Thank-you Tim and the staff of Pieology for inviting me for the sneak peek.  Congratulations on your grand opening today (April 23rd).  Make sure y’all like them on Facebook to keep updated on any upcoming events!
Pieology Pizza
Screen Shot 2015-04-22 at 7.45.10 PM

 


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Coming Soon to Alabama!! Pieology Pizzeria

1Y2B5960I’m so excited to have been invited to the media junket at Pieology Pizzeria next week! I’ll have a post all about it next week, so be sure to check it out.  Also make sure you like the Facebook page with the link above.  1Y2B5966


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Tea Brewing 101: Piper and Leaf

Tea Brewing 101 at Piper and Leaf Tea.

Tea Brewing 101 at Piper and Leaf Tea.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a tea brewing class with a local tea house, Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea Bar.  We learned the art and subtleties of tea brewing in a causal setting with other passionate tea drinkers.Piper and LeafWhile sweet, cold tea is guzzled throughout Alabama as a slight reprieve to our hot, sticky summers, coffee and, the less healthy option, Coke Cola rein supreme when it comes to a daily pick-me-up.  But recently tea houses have started popping up around Huntsville and we are discovering what the rest of the world knew centuries ago: the magic of tea.  Piper & Leaf has done an exceptional job to bring delicious tea to our community and has all of us flocking to buy their brew.  When I learned about their tea brewing class I signed up right away, which was good, because it filled up quickly. Tea Brewing 101While I won’t give away any of the classes secrets (you’ll have to sign up for the next session) I will say that we learned 5 different brewing techniques.  I especially enjoyed brewing concentrated tea in the french press, and though I own a french press, it never occurred to me to brew tea in it.  So obvious!

Brewing Tea in a French Press

Brewing Tea in a French Press

There were lots of people in the class and it was nice to be able to chat with people about their love to tea.  People were excited to be there learning new things, which is always nice.  Piper and Leaf Brewing ClassI took the class with a friend, Kami, who as a true southerner with deep dixie roots was skilled in the art of reading tea leaves, a skill she learned from her grandmother.  Kami instructed me to drink most of my tea, leaving a tiny bit of liquid in the bottom.  She then had me place my cup upside down on a plate, turn the cup clockwise three times and then lift up my mug for inspection.

As Kami looked into the cup, a roadmap to my future, she raised her eyebrows.

“Don’t say a baby!” I said, reading a look on her face.

Kami said nothing.

“Dangit Kami!” I fussed.

Every time I get my tea leaves read the reader sees a freakin baby.  I can barely handle my houseplants let alone a baby!

After a long pause Kami said, “I don’t see a baby, but I do see a toy dinosaur.  That could mean lots of things.” But I am not convinced.  I think it means a kid in the house playing with toy dinosaurs.

Kami showed the woman across our table my cup for a second opinion and she also sees a toy dinosaur.

Then Kami says, “Oh there it is, I see a baby right here.”  The woman also sees a baby, but I just see a bunch of flakes in a random pattern.  You can be the judge.  Here is a photo of the ‘baby’ Kami and the other lady saw in my tea leaves.

On the right photograph in the back lower part of the cup is where Kami says my future baby is appearing in my tea leaves.

On the right photograph in the back lower part of the cup is where Kami says my future baby is appearing in my tea leaves.

It was a good thing I was in a tea house because after the shocking news that I may be having a future spawn I needed a calming cup of tea to relax.  Piper & Leaf has numerous flavors, with lots of ingredients produced by local farmers. Piper and Leaf Tea

After the class Piper & Leaf sent us home with their delicious Peaches and Cream tea, so we could go home and practice what we had learned.  Though the class was supposed to end at 9:00 we all stood around chatting and I didn’t head to my car until almost 10:00 (on a work night, how irresponsible!).Piper and LeafPlease check out Piper & Leaf.  Happy Brewing!

Brewing Tea


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Cooking with Craft Beer: Porter Braised Brisket Sandwich

Mmmmmm! Brisket is way better than Campbell's soup to stay warm.

Mmmmmm! Brisket is way better than Campbell’s soup to stay warm.

So this week every state in the US hit freezing level temperatures. Even Hawaii! Brrrrrr!

In southern states we are ill-equipped to deal with frigid weather, so people are pretty miserable.  Not Buffalo, New York, 7 feet of snow miserable, but still cold enough to complain loudly about it to whomever will listen.  To help us all get through what promises to be a chilly winter here is a recipe for a delicious and more importantly warm sandwich: the Porter Braised Brisket Sandwich.  It is made with craft beer, so you can sip on the leftovers and get toasty.

Singin' River Brewing Company

Singin’ River Brewing Company

This recipe was created by the super-talented Lily Plauché.  The recipe was originally posted in a craft beer article in NoAla magazine.

Singin' River Brewing Company

Singin’ River Brewing Company

The recipe features beer from Florence, Alabama brewery: Singin River Brewing.  The brewery was super fun, with excellent beer and super stylish decor.  It is an hour and a half drive for me, but well worth the trip.feature3

Porter Braised Brisket Sandwiches

Recipe by Lily Plauché

Serves: 8

The main purpose of the beer in this recipe is to tenderize the meat while providing another layer of flavor. Use the meat for these sandwiches, in quesadillas, or serve as a stew over potatoes or rice.

4 pounds beef brisket, trimmed, cut into 3-inch pieces

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 large carrots, peeled and chopped

2 celery ribs, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, smashed

1 cup Singin’ River Porter

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 cups beef broth

8 sandwich buns

Slaw

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Sprinkle brisket with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high heat; add half of brisket, browning on all sides. Remove brisket and set aside. Brown remaining half of brisket in Dutch oven; remove and set aside.

2. Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to the pot; cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add beer, stirring to remove any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in tomato paste and broth. Return brisket to the pot, nestling it nicely into the liquid. Cover and bake until brisket is very tender and can easily be shredded with a fork, about 3 hours.

3. Shred brisket with 2 forks; serve the meat on buns topped with slaw.

Stay Warm!

Stay Warm with Beer!

Stay Warm with Beer!

 

 

 


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Beer Glazed Chicken Wings

Beer Glazed Chicken WingsIn the states the air is starting to chill, the leaves are developing a rosy hue and most importantly (especially in the southern regions of the states) tailgating season has started.  This means weekends filled with American football and lots of beer and food.  3I recently wrote article for a local magazine, NoAla, about Alabama’s exploding craft beer industry and different dishes you can make with the local brew.  It wasn’t specifically for tailgaters, but they would love these dishes.

yellowhammer1My friend and colleague, Lily Plauché, developed four amazing recipes for the article, my favorite being the Dark Hammer Chicken Wings.yellowhammer15Dark Hammer Chicken Wings

Serves: 4-6

2 pounds chicken wings

½ cup cherry juice

1 cup Yellowhammer Dark Hammer beer (Belgian Quad)

¼ cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon molasses

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

½ teaspoon ground coriander

1 lime, cut into wedges

Fresh cilantro

 

1. Heat oven to 425°F. Arrange chicken wings on a foil-lined baking sheet with sides.

2. In a medium pot, combine juice, beer, sugar, soy sauce, molasses, vinegar, pepper, and coriander. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, watching carefully as it can boil over. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until reduced to 1 cup (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat.

3. Pour the glaze over the wings. Bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until done. Preheat broiler. Broil wings 1-2 minutes or until browned. Serve with lime wedges and cilantro.2