There are two ways to acquire all the California Pizza Kitchen recipes you want and need, you can go online and search for the specific recipe you want to have. There are a huge number of free available recipes you can choose from. You can also opt to purchase a published book containing California Pizza Kitchen recipes so you can have a hard copy for your own reference.

Imagine being able to create sumptuous dishes for yourself and your friends and family with delectable meals from a famous restaurant. The thought of having a Sedona white corn tortilla soup or perhaps the Dakota smashed peas and barley soup for starters and maybe the chicken tequila fettuccini as the main course would make any simple dinner seem like a feast.

The ingredients can be found in any local grocery and the directions are simple and easy to follow; which is why there is no reason for one not to be able to create and enjoy these meals on their own. If you have the craving for their pizzas such as original BBQ pizza or the Thai chicken pizza is something you can do on your own as long as you have an oven.

Simply thinking about all the possibilities will make one’s mouth water; the mere thought of being able to whip up these dishes at home for simple meal or for an occasion is such a delight.***

That’s right. Those containers of recently munched on Chinese food, that uneaten slab of beef those leftover stir fry veggies or the vodka sauce from last night’s pasta can all help you harness the power of the pizza gods and bestow upon you a terrific tasting, one of a kind pizza.

Not sold on using leftovers to make pizza? An added bonus of making “leftovers” pizza is that it simplifies the pizza making process; allowing pizza to take its rightful place as the mid-week, after work, after grad-school, after the gym dinner that it was intended to be.

Before you go all willy-nilly-mad-scientist on your pizza, you might consider the following:

• Don’t overtop your pizza
Imagine, if you will, what the bottom of your oven will look like caked with pizza toppings. Or worse, how your pants or shirt will look stained with pizza sauce. Despite my personal beliefs, pizza stained clothes never impress or so I am told.

• Don’t mix flavors that taste bad together
Braunsweiger and peanut butter or how about sweet and sour chicken and refried beans? Unless you are under attack by mid-pregnancy flavor cravings,it’s better to stick with the flavor pairings that you already know and love.

• Avoid wet soggy leftovers if possible
While this may seem like a no brainer, cold items can fool you. Even a mildly moist item may leak fluid when heated.

• Experimenting with pizza toppings is always fun
It is always fun to experiment with pizza toppings to create new pizza recipes. Try changing your cheese combinations; who is up for an asiago/fontina blend over beef and broccoli leftovers? Maybe add a little cheddar, brie, or chabichou du poitou to your mozzarella topping to spice things up a bit.

Using leftover pizza recipes can be a fun, fast, easy way to enjoy the original meal a second time, not to mention that it will free up room in the fridge. Who knows when you will create the ultimate pizza recipe that will transform pizza forever. Or most likely, you will just have a terrific pizza dinner and a wonderful pizza recipe.***

A simple switch to reduced-fat pepperoni and chicken or turkey Italian sausage can cut hundreds of calories from your pizza. Pepperoni and sausage aren’t the only game in town though. Plenty of cured and uncured meats add lots of flavor without adding a lot of calories. Ham, which is often paired with pineapple, is great with mild cheeses and subtle pizza toppings.

Capicolla and other spicy Italian cold cuts work well with other bold flavors like Kalamata olives, garlic, and roasted red peppers. Prosciutto, the Italian dry-cured ham that’s sliced paper thin, is very good with sautéed onions and Fontina or Gruyere cheese.

Bacon adds a great smoky flavor to pizza. If you can find apple wood-smoked bacon or Vermont cob-smoked bacon, they are especially good. Then cut it into bite-sized pieces or crumble it if it’s crispy. Bacon pairs really nicely with smoked cheeses like smoked Gouda, caramelized onions, wild mushrooms like chanterelles and shitakes, and tomatoes.

Guanciale, made from pigs’ cheeks, has a little stronger flavor and is leaner and more tender. Italian meatballs are a great pizza topping. It works well with traditional pizzas with tomato sauce and mozzarella. Or you can use it for a Mexican pizza with cheddar cheese, green onions, black olives, and jalapenos.

If you’re trying to watch your weight or eat healthy, don’t forget about chicken. Saute fresh chicken strips, use leftover chicken, or buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store. One of the most popular pizzas, a barbecue chicken pizza, goes together in a flash. Just use barbecue sauce instead of pizza sauce, and add red onion rings, Gouda cheese, cilantro, and chicken. Or substitute hot sauce and add some Gorgonzola crumbles to make a Buffalo chicken pizza.

Shrimp makes a great Greek-style pizza when you combine it with tomatoes, olives, artichokes, and feta cheese. Or pair it with pesto, goat cheese, and pine nuts for a gourmet pie. Most people either love or hate anchovies. When combined with the right ingredients, leftover pork tenderloin, steak, or sausage can all contribute to a great pizza.***