Pizza

Pizza

The pizza pie is an ubiquitous symbol of both Italian cooking and Americana. Oven-baked, thin-crust or deep-dish, round or square, it is a common favorite throughout the United States, with a wide number of regional variations.

The most traditional pie is the pizza Napolitano, or Neapolitan pizza. Made of strong flour, the dough is often kneaded by hand and then rolled flat and thin without a rolling pin. The pizza is cooked in an extremely hot wood-fired stone oven for only sixty to ninety seconds, and is removed when it is soft and fragrant. Common varieties of Neapolitan pizza include marinara, made with tomato, olive oil, oregano, and garlic, and margherita, made with tomato, olive oil, fresh basil leaves, and mozzarella cheese.

New York was home to the first pizza parlor in the United States, opened in Little Italy in 1905 by Gennaro Lombardi. It is not surprising, then, that New York-style pizza dominates in the Northeastern part of the country. It is thin-crusted, and made with a thin layer of sauce and grated cheese. The dough is hand-tossed, making the pie large and thin. As a result, it is served cut into slices, traditionally eight, which are often eaten folded in half. It can be served with any number of toppings, including pepperoni, the most popular topping in the United States, or as a "white pizza", which includes no tomato sauce and is made with a variety of cheeses, such as mozzarella and ricotta.

Chicago is also home to a major variety of pizza. The Chicago-style pizza is deep dish, meaning it is made in a pan with the crust formed up the sides, or even with two crusts and sauce between, a so-called "stuffed" pizza. The ingredients are "reversed" in a Chicago pizza, with cheese going in first, and then sauce on top. This particular form of pizza was invented in 1943 at Uno

Recommended Reading

1. The Evolution Of Pizza
The Evolution of Pizza Trying to trace the history of the first pizza is a surprisingly controversial subject. Some claim...
2. The History Of Pizza In Italian Food
Italian food is unique amongst world cuisines in that it has birthed not one, but two international sensations. Of course...
3. Two Cheese Mushroom Pizza
Makes: 4 Servings Ingredients: Whole Wheat Flour 1 Box Pizza Crust Mix 2/3 Cup Ricotta Cheese 1/3 Teaspoon Dried Basil...
4. Two Cheese Pizza
Makes: 4 Servings Ingredients: Whole Wheat Flour 1 Box Pizza Crust Mix 2/3 Cup Ricotta Cheese 1 Green Pepper -...
5. Mozzarella Cheese
Modern supermarkets offer consumers the chance to sample flavors from around the globe, so shoppers have the luxury of choosing...