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Tools of the Trade

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If you want to be a master chef with your brick oven, you have to have the right tools of the trade! What you actually get is up to you, but here are some suggestions to think about so that you will be ready when outdoor oven time comes! The very first thing you need to get in an infrared thermometer . When cooking with your outdoor brick oven, you have to have that right temperature, and those temperatures are high! The infrared thermometer will allow you to get an accurate measurement while still keeping you safe. Pizza Peel A pizza peel should be next on your list. The pizza peel is a long handled large spatula that allows you to place the entire pizza inside your oven. Make sure you have one that has a long enough handle to reach all the way into where the pizza will bake the best. A turning peel is also something you might want to consider. It does not have as large of a plate as a pizza peel because it is only for turning food in your pizza oven. Cleaning supplies ...

Making Savory Ribs in Your Brick Oven

We just had a decent sized snowstorm in Ohio, but that isn't going to keep us from using our brick oven to make a delicious meal. One of our favorites is ribs! Ribs are a meal that you can have any time of the year! The only obstacle to using your brick oven during the winter is your own ability to stand outside while you get it lit! Once it's going, the oven keeps the nearby area quite warm, and you'll really enjoy the time outside! So try this recipe, adapted from a recipe from allrecipes.com , even when the snow is falling! It might become a wintertime favorite! Ingredients 2 (2 pound) slabs baby back pork ribs coarsely ground black pepper 1 tablespoon ground red chile pepper 2 1/4 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 cup minced onion 1 1/2 cups water 1/2 cup tomato paste 1/2 cup white vinegar 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 1/2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper 1 1/4 teaspoons liquid smo...

Where Your Outdoor Kitchen is Located Matters!

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Small outdoor kitchen with oven and grill Michael wanted to have an outdoor kitchen in his backyard. His wife, Jean, agreed and they set to planning. They got excited over finding the perfect outdoor oven , the right style for seating, they even looked meticulously for flora that would accentuate the stone they picked out. The day came when everything was finished and it was time for the inaugural use of the kitchen. Michael lit the grill and Jean started a fire in their oven so the kids could make wood-fired pizzas. Before long, Michael was coughing and his eyes were streaming with tears from the smoke. The kids were complaining that it was too hot to hang around because the sun was beating down on them. Jean was getting frustrated because the kids kept changing their minds about pizza toppings and she was walking to and from the house constantly, which was quite a hike. By the time the night was over, they were all exhausted, and they weren't sure that the outdoor kitchen wa...

Dreaming of An Outdoor Fireplace?

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Mezzo fireplace with wood storage Imagine it's a cool summer evening in August. The kids aren't back in school just yet, so they are outside running in the damp grass playing as the sun slowly sets in the west. You are sitting in your favorite cozy spot in your backyard, watching them laugh. You feel a little breeze and it gives you a chill, and you shiver for just a second. Then you get up, throw a fresh log into your outdoor fireplace . The fire bursts into life again. You feel the heat from it and smile. This is your favorite time of year and you are in your favorite place. Sounds pretty great, doesn't it? Outdoor fireplaces really do bring a feeling of home to the outside. So what should you think about if you are dreaming of an outdoor fireplace? Outdoor fireplaces can be found in almost any home improvement store. They range from small metal bowls as a place to throw some wood all the way to larger bar-type tables that offer a gas-powered open fire surrounded ...

5 Easy Steps to Building Your Outdoor Oasis with a Brick Oven

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Outdoor entertaining on the east coast can be limited with the seasonal changes throughout the year. However, a brick oven offers a variety of uses that do not have to be relegated to the summer. To fully enjoy your outdoor oasis here are 5 tips to create an outdoor living space. -Create a plan that offers outdoor dining and relaxation centered around the beauty of your landscape. Use natural seating such as stone, wood, and brick to create a cohesive space. -Incorporate shady areas with sunny lounge spots to ensure comfort for all of your guests. -Add an outdoor brick oven fireplace to enhance warmth in the cooler months and be able to cook unique meals all year long. -Include your outdoor brick oven fireplace as the center focal point for your outdoor oasis. Check out Round Grove Product's Food Fired Brick Oven Combo Units to enjoy the ambiance of the fire and the ability to dine outdoors with the added pizza oven. -Add kitchen like elements such as stone-faced outdoo...

Pork and Sauerkraut in Your Wood-Fired Brick Oven

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According to the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, a dish of pork and sauerkraut is a necessity on New Year’s Day. It is said to bring good fortune over the coming winter months. According to Diane Stoneback of The Morning Call, the reason for the tradition is that pigs root forward, which is the direction we all want to move in the new year. Here is a delicious brick oven recipe for your pork and sauerkraut cravings at any time of year. What you need 1 1ablespoon of vegetable oil 1 pound of boneless pork loin, shredded or cubed 1 16-ounce can of sauerkraut with juice ½ cup of brown sugar 1 tablespoon of sea salt 1 tablespoon of fresh ground black pepper 2 teaspoons of lemon juice 1 teaspoon powdered ginger 1 apple cored and chopped 1 peach, peeled, pitted, and sliced Which Apples should I use? In this dish, we suggest using a sweeter apple to complement the pears and provide contrast to the sauerkraut. These would be Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Cortland...

3 Quick and Easy Brick Oven Pizzas

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The base of each of these wood fire brick oven pizzas will be the same quick and easy pizza dough. For the dough you will need: 1 Tablespoon Yeast 1 Cup Water 1/2 Teaspoon Granulated Sugar 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil 1 Teaspoon Salt 2 1/2 – 3 Cups All Purpose Flour Preheat your brick oven to around 450 degrees In a large bowl, mix together yeast and sugar in the warm water until dissolved Allow mixture to sit for 10 minutes Add salt and olive oil to the mixture Start adding flour ½ cup at a time When dough starts coming together and is no longer sticky, knead for 3 minutes Roll out and top as you like! Classic Margherita You will need: 8oz fresh mozzarella, cubed ¼ tsp salt ¼ cup fresh chopped basil 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 ½ cups canned tomatoes Finely crush the canned tomatoes with hands and mix in garlic and salt to make your sauce Spread sauce evenly over pizza dough Sprinkles mozzarella cubes and basil over the sauce Drizzle with olive oil ...