The Swedish-born artist Claes Oldenburg is known for his sculptures of everyday objects ranging from spoons to hamburgers. The public works are often interactive and were initially scorned before being embraced for their playfulness. In addition to the colossal sized sculptures, the objects also appear in soft-form and were originally sewn together by Oldenburg’s ex-wife. Oldenburg moved to the United States in 1936 and many of his works pay homage to the foods associated with New York City. The pizza in Flying Pizza (1964) from the New York 10 portfolio appears twisted and distorted, a characteristic of his sculptures when they are reincarnated from a hard to a soft form.
Pesto, Cherry Tomato, Mozzarella & Parmesan Pizza
1/2 cup pesto
10 cherry tomatoes, sliced
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
pizza dough
Roll out the dough with a bit of flour and spread an even layer of pesto. Top with mozzarella, Parmesan and cherry tomatoes before sliding into the oven. Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the dough and the heat of the oven. In the wood-fired oven it took about 3 minutes, rotating the pizza once. Serve immediately.
Arugula, Red Onion Marmalade & Goat Cheese Pizza
1/2 cup red onion marmalade
1/2 cup goat cheese
handful of washed arugula, still wet
pizza dough
Roll out the pizza dough with flour and top with the marmalade. Spoon out small globs of the goat cheese and disperse evenly over the pizza. Slide into the oven and when rotating pizza, remove from oven to top with the wet arugula. Return the pizza to the oven to finish cooking, three minutes total in a wood-fired oven.
Feta, Parsley, Red Onion & Lemon Pizza
adapted from How to Cook by Lesley Waters
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 large red tomato, sliced
1 TB olive oil
2 TB red onion, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 lemon, juiced
pizza dough
In a large bowl combine the parsley, red onion, crumbled feta and lemon juice. Mix and set aside. Roll out the pizza dough with flour and top with the sliced tomato. Drizzle with olive oil and slide into the wood-fired oven for three minutes, rotating once. When done cooking, top with the feta mixture and return the pizza to the oven for 30 more seconds.
Spicy Sausage & Jalapeño Pizza
1 fresh jalapeño, thinly sliced
1 sausage, meat removed from casing
1 tsp hot sauce
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp dried chili flakes
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup tomato pizza sauce
pizza dough
Pre-cook the sausage meat with the chili powder and hot sauce by sauteing in a frying pan. Transfer to a bowl lined with paper towel to draw out the grease and fat. Roll out the pizza dough and spread an even layer of pizza sauce. Top with the mozzarella cheese, sausage and jalapeño. Sprinkle the dried chili flakes over the pizza before sliding into oven. Rotate pizza half way through cooking and remove once the cheese is melted and golden, about three minutes.
21 comments
Flintstone says:
Aug 1, 2010
Uncle Tim has his pizza oven down to a science. Your recipies were delicious. My favorite was the spicy sausage and jalapenos from Grandpa’s garden.
We love having you home!
deana says:
Aug 1, 2010
What a great oven and amazing pizzas. There is nothing like woodfire and dough and I can’t wait to to give all of them a try… all of them!!
Pat says:
Aug 1, 2010
The Pizzas were wonderful. I liked the feta cheese and lemon zest the best. I think they were the best pizzas that have come out of that oven, so far. The cook was the best.
siri says:
Aug 1, 2010
Wood fired pizzas are perhaps the most delicious things I can think of on earth. I’m so jealous of you having one in your family! Was it built by your aunt and uncle too or did they have it made for them?
I’d like a slice of each, then an extra slice of red onion, goat cheese for good measure.
Have a great visit home. Happy Summer!
Rosa says:
Aug 1, 2010
Those pizzas are fabulous! *deool* I’d love to have such an oven…
Have a great time in Michigan!
Cheers,
Rosa
Y says:
Aug 1, 2010
Ooh lucky you to be on holiday! And to have use of a wood fired oven! Those pizzas are outstanding.
Tweets that mention Claes Oldenburg – Wood-Fired Pizza »Feasting on Art -- Topsy.com says:
Aug 1, 2010
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Megan Fizell, Nezka Pfeifer. Nezka Pfeifer said: RT @tresjoliestudio: An assortment of wood-fired pizzas inspired by Oldenburg http://bit.ly/axADM3 […]
Joanne says:
Aug 1, 2010
Wood-fired ovens make for the best pizzas! what a gorgeous array of toppings!
Dana Zia says:
Aug 1, 2010
Oh my gosh, do you have me drooooooooling. I’m practically licking the screen. I love the idea of the pizza with lemon. Never thought of that. How much lemon juice, out of curiosity? I can seem to see the amount on your recipe. Thank you so much for the luscious post!
Julie says:
Aug 2, 2010
It was so fun watching you and uncle making those pizzas. My favorite was the pesto and cherry tomato pizza – yum.
Heavenly Housewife says:
Aug 2, 2010
How delicious, that first pizza you made is like my ultimate toppings :D Yum!!!
OohLookBel says:
Aug 2, 2010
Wow, what fantastic pizzas! There’s a lot to be said for a good woodfired oven :)
Auntie Cyndi says:
Aug 3, 2010
Wish we could have been there, it looks like you and Uncle Tim had fun and made some great pizzas. I think the pesto and cherry tomato looked yummy!!! Enjoy your time home.
Siri says:
Aug 3, 2010
Oh this looks amazing… A wood-fired oven is clearly something every girl should own!
Kitchen Butterfly says:
Aug 5, 2010
Happy holidays, grab some sun and what a delightful way to enjoy heat – pizza from a woodfired oven! That is a STUNNING and yummy pizza
Kahtryn says:
Aug 13, 2010
Those pizzas looks SO good- I’m obsessed with goat cheese! You should try a warm goat cheese salad – it’s to die for!
Sophia says:
Aug 26, 2010
I’ve seen so many recipes lately for pizzas! So far, I think yours must be the best! The other one I really like is Mexican Pizza. What do you think? Thanks again for sharing this delicious pizza recipe!
Praca Kielce says:
Jan 14, 2012
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one today.
paper folder (@pprfldr) says:
Jan 21, 2012
Claes Oldenburg pizza http://t.co/xzDNqcV4
Megan Fizell (@tresjoliestudio) (@tresjoliestudio) says:
Jan 21, 2012
RT @pprfldr: Claes Oldenburg pizza http://t.co/xzDNqcV4
Feasting on Art « Illustrating the edible Year 2012 and 2013 says:
Nov 13, 2012
[…] Wood Fired Pizza recipes inspired by Claes Oldenburg’s “Flying Pizza” 1964 print here.) Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like […]