Alesci's Italian Market

Located at 4333 Mayfield Road in South Euclid, Alesci's has been an oasis of good Italian food for decades. One of a number of family owned stores scattered about the area; I know that there are separate stores in Solon and Euclid; the South Euclid store is the flagship with a large selection and good food. Alesci's has a deli and cheese counter that runs the full length of the store, if you cannot find something to like here, you are just not looking. In the back of the store is the hot food section, with pizza slices and other Italian specialties for you to select. The bakery section is on the other wall of the store, with good bread and some decent pastries. The middle of the store has the pastas, sauces, spices and other Italian goodies. My main reason for hitting Alesci's on a regular basis is the fresh pizza dough in the back cooler. Usually priced at 3 or 4 for $1.00, this is the basis of great homemade pizzas. Pick up a small can of pizza sauce at about $.60 which is enough for two pizzas and add some cheese and toppings and you have a great, inexpensive meal to make at home. When working with the dough, it is best if you can leave it at room temperature for a while to let it rise. Then a light dusting of flour and you can toss and spread the dough to the size you want. I use about half of the small can of sauce and add some garlic and basil, top with some cheese and bake for about 20 minutes in a 425 degree oven and the biggest problem is not eating the whole pizza in a single sitting. If you want to go the white pizza method, spread some good olive oil on the dough, add some garlic and herbs and top with the cheese.