The Ultimate Backyard Pizza Party

By Article: Paula Disbrowe
Photo: Quentin Bacon

Bubbling farmers' market-inspired pizzas, grown-up frozen pops, and a summer garden in full bloom create an alfresco pizza party where everyone feels at home.

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Pizza Parlor Chic

Photo: Quentin Bacon

An avid gardener and entertainer in Atlanta, Danielle Rollins loves to host parties outside in her garden. Made-to-order gourmet pizzas and checkered table cloths bring her vision of pizza parlor chic to life.

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Table Setting

Photo: Quentin Bacon

Love the pizza parlor chic-look of Danielle's table? Find similar items inspired by her decor.

Large Crackle Country Rooster: From The Lamp Stand (#BS-3015050); 417/865-3725 Checkered Napkins: Checkmate in Jet (#1080447) from Lewis & Sheron Textile Co.; 800/835-4833 (1 yard fabric yields four 16-inch square napkins) Wood Chiavari Chair: from The Chiavari Company; 866/854-8692 Bamboo Flatware: Through Target Green Kartio Tumblers: By ittala in Apple Green from Finn Style; 866/617-6176

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Place Cards

Photo: Quentin Bacon

Let place cards double as favors for the guests. Fill a clay pot with a pack of seeds. Herbs work best since they can be planted in a small container.

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Antipasto Platter

Photo: Quentin Bacon

Offer an antipasto platter of Grilled Tomato Bruschetta and Simple Grilled Asparagus.

Recipe: Grilled Tomato Bruschetta Recipe: Simple Grilled Asparagus

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Party-Worthy Pizza

Photo: Quentin Bacon

Make your own gourmet pizza in 5 steps.

  1. Start with Dan's Pizza Dough. Place a pizza stone or baking sheet in oven. Preheat oven to 500° for 30 minutes. Stretch dough into a 10- to 12-inch circle on a separate lightly floured baking sheet.
  2. Spread 1/2 cup Fresh Tomato Sauce on each dough circle.
  3. Top with 4 oz. of shredded, sliced, or crumbled cheese. Some favorites include Decimal Place Farm goat cheese, Atlanta Fresh Artisan Creamery's Fresh Mozzarella, and Sweet Grass Dairy's Thomasville tomme.
  4. Choose the toppings. Get creative by mixing and matching your favorites. Try assorted olives, fresh basil pesto, thinly sliced radishes, fresh peas, sliced fennel, spring onions, and cooked and crumbled pork sausage or ground beef.
  5. Season pizza with desired amount of salt and pepper. Slide pizza from baking sheet onto hot pizza stone or baking sheet in oven. Bake at 500° for 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are golden.

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Dan's Pizza Dough

Photo: Quentin Bacon

Recipe: Dan's Pizza Dough

Dan's Pizza Dough, created by Chef Dan Latham, is a great base for your favorite pizza toppings. Dan, as a partner with Fresh Hospitality, operates a mobile wood-fired oven under the name Moto Bene. You can track Dan's crew on Twitter (twitter.com/motobene).

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Perfect Pizza Toppings

Photo: Quentin Bacon

Here are some of Chef Dan Latham's personal favorites inspired by the farmers' market.

The Classic: Fresh Tomato Sauce, fresh mozzarella, torn basil Sausage Lover's: Crumbled sausage, siced fennel, sliced garlic, green onion Golden Onion: Carmelized onions, goat cheese, olives, arugula Market Veggies: Turnips, tomme cheese, shaved garlic, olives, oregano Kale & Beef: Crumbled beef, sliced green onions, torn kale Go Green: Pesto, peas, goat cheese, pea shoots

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Grown-Up Dessert

Photo: Quentin Bacon

Fancy up frozen fruit pops with a splash of Prosecco for a fun and colorful display.

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Tips for Outdoor Entertaining

Photo: Quentin Bacon
Let the food set the tone. To play up the pizza parlor theme, Danielle covered one long table with burlap, topped with checkered cloths. Embrace organic elements. "When it comes to outdoor serving pieces, I prefer wicker and wood," she says. Danielle also topped with tables with pots of lush, fragrant (and affordable) Italian herbs and trellises of heirloom tomatoes. Don't overthink it. "I'm not one to get hung up on things having to match. Entertaining should be about family and friends, not perfection."
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