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Would You Eat This Domino's Pasta Bread Bowl?

YumSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 05:50:32 -0700

When we first found out Domino's was launching Bread Bowl Pastas, we were shocked - and so were you. While a few of you admitted to thinking they looked really good and conceded you'd eaten worse, many of you were entirely grossed out. "Completely awful," DCStar commented. "What were they thinking?!" We, too, weren't crazy about the idea of carbs loaded inside more carbs, but in the end, our curiosity drove us to taste test them. What about you: would you eat a Bread Bowl Pasta?

Taste Test: Domino's Bread Bowl Pastas

YumSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:00:53 -0700

The world of fast food is certainly quick paced, so the second Domino's begun advertising five flavors of pasta housed in a bread bowl, it seemed everybody was buzzing about it. When Party and I first got word of these monsters, we were simultaneously shocked (who came up with the concept?), appalled, and eager to try them. Yesterday turned out to be the Domino's day of reckoning - to find out how the bowls stood up to their shock value, read more.

It's hard to fathom why Domino's rolled out this concept of carbs inside more carbs, but the fact that competitor Pizza Hut has already racked up more than $500 million in sales of its Tuscani Pastas and lasagna, puts things more into perspective. However, as soon as we opened the delivery, we were faced with many unanswered questions: How many people was each bread bowl supposed to feed? Was the dish designed to be eaten like a pizza, or were we supposed to eat the pasta first, then the bowl?

Pasta Primavera: This bread bowl was filled with pasta, baby spinach, diced tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, and a goopy, oily Alfredo sauce. While the sole vegetarian option was filled with vegetables, I questioned whether the dish contained any protein.

Chicken Carbonara: Although this tasted somewhat like carbonara, it was covered with similar globs of white sauce.

Three Cheese Mac-N-Cheese: This was our least favorite. We love macaroni and cheese, but the flavors of the dish - bland, artificial nacho cheese, subpar penne, and a yeasty bread bowl - just did not seem to meld at all.

Italian Sausage Marinara: If we had to choose a best of the tasting, it would have been the Italian Sausage Marinara, which was rather reminiscent of regular pizza delivery with breadsticks. But then again, why not just order pizza and breadsticks?

Chicken Alfredo: All of the bowls were loaded with sodium (I drank water for hours afterward), but the Chicken Alfredo was swimming in a sauce that was over-the-top salty, to the point of being unpleasant to eat.

Unsurprisingly, the Pasta Primavera, Chicken Carbonara, and Chicken Alfredo flavors - which possess the same mysterious creamy white sauce - all taste remarkably similar. The bread bowl itself, which tastes a lot like Domino's breadsticks, was satisfying, but overall, unless we were starving and had no other options, or were carbo loading for a marathon the next day, we wouldn't eat this again.

Have you tried any of the Bread Bowl Pastas? If so, what was your assessment of them?

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Domino's Embraces Carbs, Offers Pasta in a Bread Bowl

YumSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:30:01 -0700

It's only been one week since Domino's Pizza apologized for the unsanitary behavior of its employees, but the pizza delivery chain has already attempted to move on to bigger and better things.

In what would appear to be an Atkins diet nightmare, Domino's has begun offering five flavors of pasta - served inside an edible bowl of bread. For as little as $4.99, you can choose between Three Cheese Mac-N-Cheese, Italian Sausage Marinara, Chicken Alfredo, Chicken Carbonara, or Pasta Primavera flavors. If that's not quite enough, there's the option to build your own pasta bread bowl, choosing from a variety of toppings that include but aren't limited to Philly steak, salami, bacon, and tabasco sauce.

I must admit I'm shocked. Of all products to come out with, this pasta in a bread bowl creation would certainly not have come to mind first. Still, I can't wait to taste test these! What do you think of the concept? Do you think it'll help Domino's regain the faith of its customers?

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Domino's Apologizes For Employees' Gross Behavior

partysugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:30:18 -0700

The president of Domino's Pizza, Patrick Doyle, has released a video where he apologizes for the disgusting behavior of two Domino's employees.

Earlier this week, a YouTube video was uncovered of a male and female performing unsanitary acts while making sandwiches at a North Carolina outpost of the pizza chain. Although the two employees were fired and charges are being pressed, Doyle hopes to reassure consumers of Domino's commitment to sanitary practices.

Check out his apology below and tell me: What's your take of the situation? Do you expect a large company, like Domino's, to apologize for the actions of two workers?

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Domino's Baked Sandwiches Burn Subway

partysugar — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:15:52 -0800

Advertising campaigns in which one company slams a competitor are nothing new: There's the coffee war between Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts, and the burger battle of McDonald's versus Burger King. The latest companies to publicly duke it out? Domino's Pizza and Subway. According to a taste test conducted and promoted by Domino's, consumers prefer their baked sandwiches over Subway's sandwiches by a two-to-one ratio. Subway quickly responded to the claims by sending Domino's a letter telling the pizza chain to stop airing the commercials. Then last week on national television, Domino's president David Brandon burned the letter. Subway has yet to comment on Domino's aggressive advertisement, and a lawsuit is likely.

After tasting Domino's baked sandwiches, I find it hard to believe they could beat out Subway's sandwiches in a blind taste test. I also think the behavior in the video is childish and immature. Burning a letter? It doesn't necessarily make me want to run to the nearest Domino's for a sandwich. Watch the video below and tell me what you think. Whose sandwiches do you prefer?

Despite Other Rising Food Costs, Dairy Prices Have Fallen

YumSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:15:12 -0800

From rising avocado prices to the McDonald's Dollar Menu falling on hard times, over the last year, every section of the food industry has paid the price of cost increases. One segment of the food world, however, seems to have taken an opposite turn.

Prices of dairy products have seen a downward trend, as the weakening global economy has caused demand to decrease for US exports like milk. This decline has hurt certain sectors, such as dairy farmers and cheese producers: The value of cheese has dropped 40 percent over the last month. On the other hand, quite a few companies have seen the silver lining of falling dairy prices. Companies like Kraft Foods and Hershey's, and chain stores such as Domino's Pizza and Starbucks Coffee expect higher costs to be offset by favorable prices of milk and cheese.

While Kraft and other companies wouldn't comment on future price cuts, the plummeting value of dairy could trickle down to the consumer segment. Does it come as a relief to hear that at least one aspect of the food industry is seeing cost decreases?

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Taste Test: Domino's Submarine Sandwiches

partysugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:15:57 -0700

Last week YumSugar and I got our hands on Domino's recently released hot submarine sandwiches. The sandwiches, which come in four flavors - chicken bacon ranch, Philly cheese steak, Italian, and chicken parm - filled our office with a delicious smell of fresh-baked bread. Each sandwich comes in a neat box that effectively retains the heat. To find out how the sandwiches tasted, read more.

The sandwiches tasted strangely like Domino's pizza. With its chewy, soft texture, the "artisan Italian bread" tastes like their pizza dough.

Philly Cheese Steak: This was my least favorite of the sandwiches. The meat was bland and the veggies soggy. The sandwich lacked flavor.

Chicken Parm: The tomato-basil marinara sauce tasted like Domino's regular pizza sauce, making this sandwich, with its chicken and two types of cheese, seem like a pizza roll.

Italian: Loaded with pepperoni, salami, ham, and peppers, this was my favorite. It tasted like a slice of Italian pizza.

Chicken bacon ranch: The combination of bacon and chicken paired perfectly, making this sandwich my second favorite. However, I couldn't taste the ranch and wondered if the person who made the sandwich forgot to include it.

Overall, I don't think I would go out of my way to eat these sandwiches. They were greasy, with too much dough and not enough filling, and afterward I felt a little gross. However, if you like Domino's pizza, you'll like the sandwiches. They're also great if you're in the mood for pizza but don't want to order an entire pie to yourself. The individual portions can easily be consumed at a desk or workplace.

Have you tried Domino's sandwiches? What did you think?

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Domino's Pizza To Do Sandwiches

partysugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:15:14 -0700

Last week Jack in the Box expanded their breakfast menu to include brunch bowls, and this week Domino's Pizza has announced plans to introduce submarine sandwiches. The pizza delivery chain will offer four different kinds of baked sandwiches, including a Chicken Bacon Ranch sandwich and a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich. The $4.99 sandwiches will be delivered with or without a pizza order.With the sandwiches, which are available to order beginning on Aug. 25, Domino's hopes to increase lunch sales. Last Spring, Pizza Hut added pasta to their menu, so it's no surprise that Domino's is looking for other ways to grow profits. What do you think about the expansion? Will you try Domino's sandwiches?

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What's the BFD at Domino's?

YumSugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:22:18 -0800

What are your favorite pizza toppings? Personally, I'm all about cheese, cheese, and more cheese. However I do know that there are quite a few of you who love to go crazy with your pizza toppings. If you are one of those folks then you will be interested to hear about the new $10.99 deal at Domino's. Say what you will about the quality of their pies, but $10.99 for a large, unlimited-topping pizza is a pretty good deal. Actually I should have said fantastic deal, as the campaign is actually called the Big Fantastic Deal, or BFD for short.

To celebrate their new deal, the folks at Domino's are actually doing a BFD Builder Contest and asking you to create your dream BFD pizza. The most creative - determined by a panel of Domino's employees - will receive $500 in Domino's gift certificates, and bragging rights that will surely impress friends. At least, it would impress me, and that stands for something right?

So tell me, what kind of pie would you make?

Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - Menu II

partysugar — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 08:01:38 -0700

During the walking tour around your house, place a few appetizers on side tables for nibbling while you discuss your artwork. After they have seen all of your gorgeous furniture and inspiring paint jobs, invite everyone into your largest room for a few rounds of your favorite game. Serve 2 types of crispy pizza - make several of each kind and cook throughout the evening - a white carbonara and a vegetarian eggplant are tasty treats perfect for munching while you play. Add a sweet finish to the evening by offering guest brownies decorated to look like dominos. The pizzas can be assembled in advance and baked later making them an ideal entertaining recipe. To see how simple it is, read more

Carbonara Pizza
From Everyday With Rachael Ray magazine

Cornmeal, for sprinkling
1 pound pizza dough, at room temperature
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
1/4 pound pancetta, chopped
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated pecorino romano cheese
2 large egg yolks, beaten
1 clove garlic, grated
Pepper
1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded provolone cheese
1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preheat the oven to 450°.
Sprinkle a little cornmeal on a pizza pan or baking sheet. Place the pizza dough on the pan and stretch into a large round or rectangle. Drizzle the dough with olive oil and partially bake until puffed and golden, about 8 minutes.
In a small skillet, heat a drizzle of the oil over medium heat.
Add the pancetta and cook, stirring often, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
Add the ricotta, pecorino romano, egg yolks and garlic to the pancetta; season with pepper and stir to combine.
Spread the ricotta mixture over the partially baked pizza dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around. Top with the provolone.
Bake until the crust and topping are golden and cooked through, about 12 minutes. Scatter the parsley on top and cut into wedges.

Serves 4.

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Eggplant, Tomato, and Fontina Cheese Pizza
From Gourmet magazine

1 (1 1/2-lb) eggplant, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
3/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves
2 garlic cloves
10 oz grape tomatoes (2 cups), quartered
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus additional for brushing dough
1 lb pizza dough
Flour for dredging
1/4 lb Italian Fontina, rind discarded and cheese cut into 1/4-inch dice (1 cup)

Prepare pizza toppings: sprinkle eggplant with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a colander and let drain in sink, turning slices occasionally, 30 minutes.
Finely chop together basil, mint, and garlic. Toss with tomatoes in a bowl, then drain in a sieve set over bowl.
Preheat broiler.
Rinse eggplant, then pat dry in batches between paper towels, pressing firmly to remove excess liquid. Brush both sides of slices with oil (about 4 tablespoons total) and form small stacks, then cut stacks into quarters. Arrange eggplant pieces in 1 layer in 2 shallow heavy baking pans and broil, 1 pan at a time, about 5 to 6 inches from heat, turning eggplant over once, until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes per batch. Cool eggplant to room temperature.
Put pizza stone* in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 500°F (allow 1 hour for pizza stone to heat).
Assemble pizzas: do not punch down dough. Gently dredge 1 piece of dough in flour to coat, then transfer to a sheet of parchment paper set on baking peel or baking sheet. Holding 1 edge of floured dough in the air with both hands and letting bottom touch parchment, carefully move hands around edge of dough (like turning a steering wheel), allowing weight of dough to stretch it to a round roughly 10 inches in diameter. Lay round on parchment and adjust shape as needed.
Discard any liquid exuded from tomatoes and toss tomatoes with remaining tablespoon oil and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in bowl.
Brush dough round with oil and scatter half of eggplant, half of tomatoes, and half of cheese over it, leaving a 1-inch border around edge. Line up far edge of peel with far edge of pizza stone and tilt peel down, jerking it gently to start pizza moving. Slide pizza, along with parchment, onto stone and bake until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbling, 12 to 15 minutes.
Remove pizza from oven by sliding peel under paper. Transfer pizza to a cutting board and discard parchment.
While first pizza is baking, assemble second pizza on another sheet of parchment, then bake in same manner.

Makes 2 pizzas.

*Note: If you do not have a pizza stone use a warmed baking sheet.

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Domino Brownies
From Instyle magazine

8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 oz. (4 squares) unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped and melted
3 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla
White chocolate chips and white frosting in tube for decoration

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13" x 9" baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In large bowl beat butter and sugar together with electric mixer.
Stir in melted chocolate; beat in eggs until well combined, then stir in flour and salt. Add vanilla.
Scrape batter into prepared pan. Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 25 min.
Cut into rectangles measuring about 3" long by 1" wide. Place on wire rack to cool.
Add frosting lines, top with white chocolate chips to resemble domino patterns.

Makes 24.

Note: For a hassle free no time recipe simple halve bakery brownies and decorate with white frosting from a tube and white chocolate chips to resemble dominos. Or serve store-bought checkerboard cookies or Pepperidge Farm's classic Chessman cookies.

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