Dinner Scraps: Chicken Pot Pie Calzone
San Diego Pizza Guide, The International Pizza Expo, Lupa Cotta News
HAPPY FRIDAY PIZZA TOURISTS.
Have you ever heard of the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas? Pizza makers from all around the world come together to check out new equipment, network, and compete in pizza challenges. Imagine a pizza-tossing contest (order a silicon disc here) paired with elaborate dance moves, and a fake Italian restaurant where you can drink red wine on a motorcycle. At a chicken wing booth you’ll see models dressed up in short-shorts or an old-school Vegas celebrity, like Carrot Top, moderating eating challenges. One year, I served as an MC to the King Arthur Flour booth. I introduced pizza celebrities before they demoed their famed creations to fans. It was a party to say the least.
PIZZA FAMILY
While I didn’t make it to Vegas this March, some of my pizza friends were visiting California at the tail end of their tour out West. I caught up with the Mike’s Hot Honey boys and Luis Perez (Peels on Wheels) in San Diego this past weekend. There’s something unique to the pizza world that feels warmer and more inviting than other industries. We call each other “pizza family” and we all lean on each other for words of encouragement, dough recipes, and business therapy. While I was in San Diego for only 24 hours, I got to cross a few places off my bucket list. And here they are:
SAN DIEGO PIZZA GUIDE:
Truly Pizza in Dana Point - To break up your drive from LA to San Diego, stop halfway in Dana Point. There’s beautiful outdoor seating that feels like the perfect combination of Italy mixed with SoCal. Chef/Owner Chris Decker is a World Pizza Champion and was previously based in Las Vegas. I recommend trying both the Artisan round and Square pizzas as he is a true master of all things dough. We got the Smoky Vodka, Umami Mushroom, Spring Greens, and a Cheese pizza. Each pizza comes with a recommended wine pairing and there’s gelato for dessert. Fun fact: Chris happens to be Lupa Cotta Pizza Club Member holder #1.
Matt Lyons & Car Daiquiris Tribute Pizza in San Diego - After lunch, check into your hotel and take a taxi to Tribute for more pizza and one of their delicious cocktails. I first met Matt Lyons, the owner & chef, at the Pizza Expo in 2019. A few of us tail-gated in the parking lot and sipped on passion fruit daiquiris made out of the trunk of his car. The restaurant in San Diego is beautifully designed with an open kitchen that pays homage to the building’s former life as a post office. Matt is a SoCal expert whose warmth and creativity is reflected in his staff. The pizzeria specializes in Neo-Neapolitan (New York Style & Neapolitan) and they frequently have chef specials like handmade pasta.
pastries & coffee at Wayfarer Wayfarer Bread in Bird Rock- On your way out of town, grab a few pastries and delicious coffee at Wayfarer Bread. Baker Crystal White is a Tartine alum and her bakery shines with Wayfarer’s seasonal offerings. We tried the ham and cheese croissant, a chamomile kumquat cream bun, and an artichoke leek fontina galette. If you are in the area longer, I’ve heard they host a great pizza night on weekends. Wayfarer Bread is also the perfect place for some local gift shopping for merch, pottery, and tea towels.
DINNER LEFTOVERS AS PIZZA TOPPINGS
How do you feel about leftovers? Growing up, I never understood this adult fixation. To me, I always wanted something fresh, new, and exciting. Since then, I have grown into a full-blown adult (you wouldn’t believe it), and I have discovered this magic power of turning [good] dinner scraps into something fabulously new. Remember our previous post on eating chicken in SF? This past Sunday, I made myself the Zuni Roast Chicken with Bread Salad from Judy Rogers’ Zuni Cafe Cookbook. You can find a version here on Food & Wine. My mom used to turn our roasted chicken leftovers into the much loved Chicken Pot Pie. I was determined to make a version of my own. So below is my recipe for two American classics – “Chicken Pot Pie Calzone”. Use your dinner scraps for your next party!
LUPA COTTA NEWS
We have some fun, upcoming April events. I will be moderating a discussion with Alexandra Stafford and the launch of her new cookbook Pizza Night hosted at Now Serving. Additionally, I will be a panelist at the Los Angeles Pizza City Fest. The discussion, “Eating with Your Eyes: Pizza As Art in the Age of Social Media” will be moderated by Luca Servodio and I will be sitting next to Justin Deleon (Apollonia’s Pizzeria) and Thomas McNaughton (Flour + Water Pizzeria). Come hang out!
-April 18th at Now Serving Buy Tickets
-April 28th at LA Pizza Festival Buy Tickets
RECIPE: CHICKEN POT PIE CALZONE
INGREDIENTS
Leftover roasted chicken
Frozen peas
Carrot chopped