Hawaiian Pizza Paired with Supermarket by Bobby Hall (aka Logic)

I wanted so badly to like Supermarket. I really did.

It’s written by Bobby Hall, aka the Grammy-nominated rapper Logic. Supermarket is labeled as a psychological thriller, but reading it left me more annoyed than on the edge of my seat. Hall’s writing is stylistically unappetizing to me with its choppy sentences and lack of flow (ironic from such a talented rapper). His prose also feels a bit gimmicky with repeated brand references, crude one-liners, and misplaced attempts at breaking the fourth wall that come across more forced than charming. There’s no doubt that Logic the musician is talented, but Bobby Hall the author is still finding his voice.

The story centers around Flynnagin E. Montgomery (“Flynn”), a 20-something guy who’s going through some tough times. His perceived love of his life dumped him, and we learn that Flynn is struggling with various mental illnesses. It should be mentioned that one of the elements Hall gets right is how debilitating and reality-altering mental illness, especially depression and schizophrenia, can be. In real life, Hall is a very outspoken mental health advocate. However, the use of schizophrenia as a narrative device left a bad taste in my mouth. As the novel progresses, the storyline gets very Fight Club very quickly. Zero to Tyler Durden real quick.  It cannot be understated that mental illness is a very real issue, and we do not have enough accurate depictions of the struggles of those living with mental illness in mainstream media.

All that being said, I know some people will still really love Supermarket for their own reasons, and that’s great too. I love that a musician tried his hand at writing fiction, and I truly hope he continues. I just did not enjoy his first offering.  I chose to pair Supermarket with Hawaiian pizza because, for both the novel and the dish, I think people will either love it or hate it.

Original recipes can be found here: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/hawaiian-pizza/

Yields one 12-inch pizza.

Dough:

Ingredients:

• 1 & 1/3 cups of warm water
• 1 packet of instant yeast (2 & 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1 tablespoon of white granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3/4 teaspoon of salt
• 3 & 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Instructions:

1. Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl, preferably the bowl of a stand mixer. Cover and let sit for five minutes.
2. If using a stand mixer, fit with the paddle attachment. Add the olive oil, salt, and flour and mix at a low speed for two minutes. If not using a stand mixer, mix by hand until fully incorporated and doughy.
3. Flour a surface and your hands. Knead the dough by hand for a few minutes, until soft, smooth, and elastic.
4. Oil the inside of a large bowl and transfer the dough into it. Turn the dough over to coat in the oil. Cover the bowl, and allow the dough to rise to double its size at room temperature (approx. 60-90 minutes).
5. After it has risen, divide the dough in two portions. Roll out one half to about a 1/4 inch thickness. Let sit while you prepare the toppings. Wrap the unused half in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months.

Hawaiian Pizza:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pizza crust from above recipe
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 1 & 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup cooked Canadian bacon
• 1/2 cup pineapple chunks (preferably fresh)
• 3 slices cooked bacon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
2. Brush the rolled-out pizza dough with olive oil to enhance crunch. Push dents into the dough with your fingertips.
3. Cover the dough with the pizza sauce and spread evenly. Add the cheese, Canadian bacon, bacon, and pineapple. Get creative and have fun with this part!
4. Bake the pizza for 12-15 mins, and enjoy!