Village Pizza

"Village Pizza: Where Tradition Rides on Four Legs"

In the grand culinary tapestry of New Mexico, there's a thread that runs through the heart of Corrales—a thread that ties the community to a rustic, yet endearing pizzeria known as Village Pizza. This isn't just a place to grab a slice; it's a local legend that honors the past while serving up the present on a deliciously baked crust.

Let me set the scene: just a stone's throw from the bustling streets of Albuquerque, Village Pizza stands as a bastion of countryside charm. It's a place where the mode of transport can earn you a discount, and not just any transport—a horse. That's right, in a nod to Corrales' equestrian roots, Village Pizza tips its hat to riders with a ten percent discount, a quirk that co-owner Kitt Davidson chalks up to tradition as much as local whimsy.

But the allure of Village Pizza isn't limited to its equine-friendly promotions. The pizzas here have garnered a near-mythical status over three decades, luring patrons down the long stretch of Corrales Road. What's more, they offer you the reins with take-home pizzas that you can bake in your own oven, ensuring the experience doesn't end when you step outside.

The building itself is a chameleon of history, having transformed from a home to a bar, then to a Mongolian restaurant, and now to the beloved pizzeria. It's a place where the New Mexican vibe is as palpable as the scent of green chile chicken soup—a cozy sanctuary with adobe walls and a fireplace that whispers stories of yesteryear.

Now, let's talk about the array of crusts—regular, thin, whole wheat, cauliflower, and gluten-free, because here, diversity is celebrated in every form. And the menu is a treasure trove that goes beyond pizza with offerings like Italian sausage nachos, garlic butter breadsticks, and for the adventurous palate, smoked oysters.

So, if you find yourself in the vicinity of Corrales or the West Side of Albuquerque, do yourself a favor: visit Village Pizza. Whether you arrive on four wheels or four legs, you're in for a treat. Let the mood lighting and the warm embrace of the adobe interior transport you to a time when meals were about community, comfort, and the simple joy of a pizza made just right. Embrace the tradition, indulge in the variety, and become part of the story that Village Pizza continues to bake, slice by delightful slice.

Transform Your Pizza Box into a Food Dehydrator (AKA: Pizza Flakes Maker)

Stop throwing away produce!

Every year, Americans waste about 30-40% of their food supply, which then contributes to the 8% of global greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Let's save the planet one slice at a time and turn that old pizza box into a DIY food dehydrator! This hilariously easy project will transform your leftovers into delicious dried snacks.

Materials:

- 1 large pizza box (clean, without grease – yes, that means ordering another pizza)

- Aluminum foil (to make it shiny like your future)

- Plastic wrap (because who doesn't love plastic?)

- Black construction paper (very goth, very functional)

- A utility knife or scissors (sharp objects: handle with care!)

- Tape (the universal fixer of all things)

- A small fan (optional, if you want to go high-tech)

- Wooden dowels or skewers (also optional, but let’s get fancy)

- Mesh or cheesecloth (to keep it all in place)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pizza Box:

Open that pizza box and line the inside with aluminum foil, shiny side up. This will reflect heat and make your box look like a science experiment. Cover the bottom of the box with black construction paper. This will absorb heat and add to the mystery.

2. Create a Window:

On the top of the pizza box lid, cut out a rectangular window, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. Make it artsy. Cover the window with plastic wrap and secure it with tape. This will allow sunlight in and create a greenhouse effect. Now your pizza box is officially smarter than your last smartphone.

3. Create Air Vents:

Cut small air vents on the sides of the pizza box to allow for airflow. You can make these by cutting small flaps and folding them back slightly. These vents are like your dehydrator’s nostrils.

4. Optional: Add a Fan:

If you have a small fan, place it near the air vents to enhance airflow. This will help to speed up the drying process and make you feel like an engineering genius.

5. Create Racks:

If you have wooden dowels or skewers, create racks to hold your food. Simply poke holes in the sides of the box and insert the dowels through the holes, creating a grid. Now it’s looking like a mini barbecue. Alternatively, use a piece of mesh or cheesecloth to lay your food on inside the box. It’s like a hammock for your snacks.

6. Place Your Food:

Arrange your food items on the racks or mesh, ensuring they are spread out evenly and not touching each other. Give them space to breathe – it’s yoga for your veggies.

7. Position Your Dehydrator:

Place the pizza box dehydrator in a sunny spot outside. The plastic wrap window should be facing the sun to maximize heat absorption. Your neighbors will be jealous of your eco-friendly contraption.

8. Monitor and Rotate:

Check on your food periodically and rotate the box if necessary to ensure even drying. You’re basically a helicopter parent for dehydrated snacks. Depending on the weather and the type of food, drying times can vary from several hours to a couple of days. Patience, grasshopper.

Dehydrating Specific Foods:

Red and Green Chiles:

Preparation: Wash and dry the chiles. Slice them into rings or halves, removing seeds if desired. Fun fact: Spicy foods can increase your metabolism by up to 8%! Drying Time: Chiles typically take 1-2 days to dry completely. They should be brittle and break easily when fully dehydrated.

Tomatoes:

Preparation: Wash and dry the tomatoes. Slice them into ¼ inch thick slices or cut cherry tomatoes in half. Did you know tomatoes are technically a fruit? Mind blown. Drying Time: Tomatoes can take 1-3 days to dry. They should be leathery and pliable when done.

Popular Herbs (e.g., Basil, Oregano, Thyme):

Preparation: Rinse herbs and pat dry. Remove leaves from stems if they are large. Herbs can improve memory by up to 75%. Okay, I made that up, but it sounds good! Drying Time: Herbs generally dry within 1 day. They should crumble easily when touched.

9. Enjoy Your Dehydrated Food:

Once your food is sufficiently dried, remove it from the dehydrator and store it in an airtight container. Congrats! You’ve just saved the planet one dehydrated snack at a time.

This DIY food dehydrator is an easy and cost-effective way to preserve your favorite foods using just a few household items. Happy drying, and remember, every little bit helps in the fight against climate change!