Tasty Tuesday: Zio’s Pizza in Omaha AND Grilling Pizza @ Home

Perhaps mentioning the word queasy in a restaurant review, particularly a place that is one of your favorites, is in poor taste.  But perhaps when I mention that it was a feeling that I had for 9 months, it would make more sense.  Yep- pregnancy did not always agree with me as my “morning” sickness lasted pretty much all day all trimesters.  (Amazing that we had 4 children, huh?)   Figuring out what to eat was always a challenge.  I was really into white foods – so, I am a bit odd! 🙂

During my baby years, for several springs I would spend a few days in Omaha as a part of the Nebraska statewide writing assessments.  I loved the whole experience – I enjoy editing.   And I liked the fact that they fed us – I had a break on that challenging decision of what to eat for a few days.  Except for supper when I was on my own.  Enter Zio’s Pizza.

I could handle eating their alfredo calzones with ricotta cheese.  No meat – just cheese.  That tasted good.  In fact, I could have eaten them every day.  Probably a good thing that I was only in Omaha for a few days and that they wouldn’t deliver to Lincoln without an astronomical fee.

This is probably my favorite place to eat in Omaha (apart from Chick-fil-a where we also seem to go).  I have tried several things on the menu there now (at least on the times when I was expecting) and have never been disappointed.  In fact, my husband and I wrote a comment card trying to convince them to expand in Lincoln.  So far, they haven’t taken that bite yet.  Maybe someday.  I do not that I do not appreciate the fact that they play their commercials on the Omaha tv stations that we sometimes watch.  Late at night, of course, when the kids are sleeping, and we can’t make an impromptu trip up to Omaha for pizza.

Supposedly, Zio’s is a New York Style pizzeria.  Having never eaten pizza pie in the Big Apple, I can neither confirm or deny.  I just know that it is yummy!  So, if you have never experienced their deliciousness, stop by the next time when you are in the Big O!

Although I cannot have Zio’s as often as I would like, there obviously several good pizza places in Lincoln (although it is not quite the same).  One of my favorite places to have pizza actually happens to be on our deck.  A long time ago, when we lived in Hickman, the local small town newspaper (The Voice) had an article by Weber Grills about grilled pizza.  We decided that it was worth trying, and we have now made it numerous times.  A family hit!

So, even if you are not close enough to Zio’s, you can still have great pizza at home.  Tonight!  Without even having to heat up your oven.

Here is the official Weber “Homemade Pizza on the Grill” video that includes comments and tips at the bottom.

And in case you are a visual person, here is a YouTube video of someone else making pizza.

Because I feel like we have learned a few tips (especially my husband who tends to be our “Griller Extraordinaire”), here is the recipe that we have adapted from Weber.  Ciao!

Grilled Pizza Dough

1 Place 1 ½ c. lukewarm water in a large mixing bowl, sprinkle 1 package yeast on top and let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Combine 4 c. flour and ¼ t. salt. Add to water, 1 cup at a time. Knead in the Kitchenaid mixer for 3-5 minutes until incorporated. Add 2 T. olive oil – mix again. Once dough is smooth, clean and oil the bowl. Place dough inside, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap until more than double (for about an hour). (I preheat the oven to 170, add the dough, and then turn the oven off for better rising).  Punch dough down – knead on a lightly floured surface. Then divide the dough into 8 sections – roll out into pizzas. 2 Grill on medium high for 3-5 minutes. Then, turn over and add toppings – grill another 3-5 minutes. Enjoy!  Cooking Tips We have learned that taking the pizzas off the grill to add the toppings tends to work better. You can also make one large pizza instead of individual ones, but that can be more challenging. You can also cook on a stone, but we usually just cook directly on the grates.  Recipe Source Author: Weber Grills

Note: this recipe works well as it is dairy and egg free.  Would also be fairly easy to make gluten free pizza substituting gluten free flour blend for the regular.  Or you can also used pre-purchased dough.  We have also heated up frozen pizzas on the grill on really hot days – works great if you use more indirect heat.