Dining out: Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar

On Thursday October 15th I photographed the Opening Night of the new branch of Crust Pizzas in 53 Crown St Wollongong. I had a great time photographing the many patrons and friends and family of the Crust Pizza Bar owners, business partners and staff.

I was lucky enough to sample some delicious pizza (I am in love with their Mediterranean Lamb Pizza - Drool!) and they have even achieved what sounds impossible - the healthy, heart-friendly pizza that tastes delicious!




Costa Anastasiadis, (right, in above image) founder of Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar, is proud to say that Crust’s six Heart Foundation 'Tick approved' pizzas were launched in early 2008 and reported to have up to half the fat and saturated fat of comparable pizzas from other takeaway outlets, between 50-70 percent less sodium, virtually no trans fat and each provide up to 80 percent of the recommended daily fibre intake for an adult. Crust's Creative Chef Peter Augoustis tracked down the best gourmet ingredients to create six of the best tasting and heart-friendly pizzas that are winning awards and fans around Australia.



“We spent a considerable amount of time in product development to ensure that the Tick pizzas could offer a higher quality, healthier choice of takeaway to our customers while still tasting great,” says Costa. “The feedback we have had from customers has been fantastic, and awards such as this are further testament to the fact that there is a growing market in Australia for healthier takeaway foods..”


Crust is located next door to the Oxford Tavern in lower Crown St and offers Gluten-free options for all pizzas. Most definitely the best pizza I've enjoyed in Wollongong and wonderful service from staff who are more than happy to provide gluten-free options for pizzas and really know their pizza .












 More images from the night:
 http://www.vanessapikerussell.com.au/food-photography/crust-pizza.html


Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar
53 Crown St Wollongong
http://www.crust.com.au

Gluten Free Recipe: Homemade Pumpkin Gnocchi

I made this recipe and it was absolutely delicious! 




Homemade Pumpkin Gnocchi
from Gluten Free Italian Cookbook
by P. Rigoli & E. Nicolaci

• 1kg Sebago potatoes
• 400g pumpkin, finely grated
• 2 eggs
• 400g White Wings GF Flour
• Extra White Wings GF Flour for dusting

Serves 4 people

1. Place potatoes in a saucepan of salted water, cover and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer covered until cooked when tested.

2. Drain potatoes, peel and place in a large bowl, mash until smooth.

3. Add grated pumpkin and eggs to potatoes and mix thoroughly.

4. Add flour to mixture a little at a time and work with hands until dough consistency

5. Dust bench with extra flour, turn pumpkin mixture out and gently knead until smooth

6. Roll into large sausage shape and divide into 8 pieces.

7. Dust bench again and roll out each piece approx 1cm diameter and cut into 2cm lengths.

8. Roll pieces on gnocchi board (or gently press over the back of a fork)

9. Cook gnocchi in rapidly boiling salted water with a splash of olive oil.

10. Once gnocchi floats to the top of the saucepan, cook further one minute, drain and serve immediately with your favourite sauce. Enjoy!

Note: You could substitute sweet potato for the potato to make it even more healthy. 

Recipe from the Gluten Free Italian Cookbook

by P. Rigoli and E. Nicolaci

Laucke Easy Bake Gluten-Free Meals & Grains bread mix

There is nothing better than home cooked bread. I just love getting it out of the oven and tasting some whilst it is still warm. Heaven! So when I visited Woolworths and found the Laucke Easy Bake Gluten-Free Meals & Grains bread mix I was really excited.


The packet weighs 1kg and includes two bags of 500 grams mix. Since I only have small loaf pans I decide to divide the mixture up and make half a batch. It came out to almost two level cups of bread mix to which I added 180ml of water at room temperature

And this is the result!

One of the best tasting breads I've ever eaten, gluten free or packed full of gluten. Next time I will use a larger bread tin and leave it to rise more but what it lacked in height it made up for in taste. I loved the kibbled corn and the addition of sesame seeds (not in the pack) really added to the texture of the bread. I have enough for three more small loafs or one and a half large one.


The only negative is that I can't stop myself from eating it! This bread is so nice to eat you'll have to hide it from yourself.

Crust Gourmet Pizzas opening in Wollongong and offering Gluten free pizza options

I have just heard the news that Crust Pizza is opening a branch in Wollongong!

Here are a few of my favourites but take a moment to view their full menu

Tandoori

Chicken Breast Fillets Marinated in Tandoori Spices with
Shallots & crushed Cashews, topped with Mint Yoghurt

Medium $16.00 Large $20.00

Satay Chicken Breast Fillets & Spanish Onions,
garnished with Snow Pea Sprouts, Sesame Seeds & a drizzle of Honey

Medium $16.00

Large $20.00

Philly Steak

Black Angus Roast Beef, Roasted Capsicum, Fresh Capsicum, Caramelised Onions, Mushrooms, Double Mozzarella, topped with Dijon Mustard & Wild Rocket

Crust Gourmet Pizza Bars provide a choice of gluten free take-away options. Using gluten free pizza bases manufactured off-site in a dedicated gluten free environment, there is an extensive range of gluten free pizza varieties to choose from. We also have starter pizzas that can be made gluten free, as well as a selection of salads.

Gluten free pizzas are available in a medium size, and are charged at large pizza rates. When placing an order, please mention your gluten free requirements to the Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar staff, and they will be happy to discuss your gluten free options.

Crust Pizza Store.
Wollongong Store Details

Shop 105, 53 – 61 Crown Street
Wollongong, NSW 2500
02 4226 4479
02 4226 4473
wollongong@crust.com.au
Opening night Thursday October 15th at 6pm

Gluten-free Hazelnut Kiss Macaroons with Chocolate icing

Recipe and photo by Better Homes and Gardens

 

Ingredients

• 200g hazelnut meal
• 200g icing sugar
• 2 Tbsp Dutch cocoa
• 1 eggwhite
• 1/4 cup cream
• 100g dark chocolate, finely chopped

Seive:
200 grams hazelnut meal
200 grams icing sugar
1 tablespoon cocoa powder

Mix:
it all in with hands and work it into a paste with one egg white

Form:
then use lightly damp hands to form up teaspoon sized balls and put them onto a lined baking tray

Bake:
at 180oC 7-8 mins

Ice:
While they bake, make the icing
Pot on the stove, 1/4 cup cream to warm not boiling then add
100g dark chocolate chopped fine, then stir it all together

Once they have firmed in oven sandwhich together with chocolate icing so they 'kiss' like every good biscuit should

Gluten-Free Pizza Restaraunts in the Illawarra

The list is fairly short so please take the time to add a comment if you know of a Pizza Restaurant that offers Gluten-Free pizzas or meals.

Figtree Gourmet Kitchen

"Figtree Gourmet Kitchen is the Illawarra's longest established wood fired pizza restaurant. It was first founded in 1998 by the Caroutas family and was taken over by brothers David and Andrew Ferri in April 2001. After running the restaurant for 3 years together, Andrew took over sole ownership in 2004, and currently runs it with the support of his wife Elisa.

Andrew has 19 years experience in working and running pizza restaurants, and has established himself as one of the leading pizza chefs in the area. This is shown by the restaurants recent honors in winning the Restaurant and Catering NSW ‘2009 Best Pizza Restaurant South Coast Region’ followed by taking out the ‘Best Pizza Restaurant Regional NSW ‘which now qualifies Figtree Gourmet Kitchen for possible national honors!
Much of this success is attributed to a great team of dedicated staff, lead by head chef Luke Pennial, who collectively share the same vision of Andrew and Elisa of providing a great casual dining experience. The ingredients of great food combined with great service help them achieve this vision, and are key components in the restaurant achieving its most recent successes, and on moving forward in the future.
Whilst appreciating these industry recognitions, the team at Figtree Gourmet Kitchen continually strives to find ways of improving their overall operation of the business."

	Phone 4226 6995 Open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm Shop 2/47 Princes Hwy, West Wollongong (under awning in the Figtree Cellar complex) All Major Cards Accepted BY

Opening Hours
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm

Address:
Shop 2, 47 Princes Highway, West Wollongong
(Under the awning in the Figtree Cellars complex)

Phone:
(02) 4226 6995

http://www.fgk.com.au