close-up-of-cook-holding-pizza-on-peel

Where to get the world’s best Italian pizza

Pizza may be Italy’s greatest invention and its most popular export.

 

The roots of pizza actually date back to Egypt and ancient Greece where flatbreads seasoned with herbs and baked on hot stones were a staple.   Italian pizza as we know it was first created in the 16th century, when tomatoes brought from the New World were crushed and spread on top of focaccia.

 

Water buffalos were brought from India around the same time, and before long, cheese was added.

 

Naples embraced the new dish and, over time, perfected it.  Today, it’s the spiritual home of Italian pizza, and the city that ardent pizza aficionados feel compelled to visit.

 

So serious is Naples — and Italy — about its pizza, that in 1998, the Italian government formally protected Neapolitan pizza by giving it Denominazione di Origine Controllata or DOC status.  This established Neapolitan pizza as a national treasure, on a par with Chianti wine, Parma ham, or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

 

The DOC designation spelled out the ground rules for how the pizza is made.  Only three kinds of pizza are recognized — Pizza Marinara, made with tomato, garlic, oregano, and olive oil; Pizza Margherita, which adds mozzarella and basil; and Pizza Margherita Extra which uses mozzarella di Bufala, made from buffalo milk.

 

All three are cooked for no more than 90 seconds at 900 degrees Fahrenheit in a wood-burning oven.  The crust should be extremely thin — less than 1/8″ thick, but after cooking, it should fold without breaking.  The diameter of the pizza should be less than 14 inches. And the tomatoes should be San Marzanos.

 

One of the benefits of the DOC guidelines is that you no longer have to go to Naples to have true Italian pizza.  Organizations like Verace Pizza Napoletana Americas (VPN) train American pizza makers how to produce authentic Neapolitan pizza.  No stone is left unturned. Everything from the type of flour to the kneading of the dough is defined. And pizzerias that comply received VPN certification.

 

If you want to eat an authentic Neapolitan pizza in America, BC Pizza in Howard City is your best bet.  Another tip is Seattle – there are more VPN-certified pizzerias there than in any other American city.  Choose from Piccolino’s Ristorante, Pizzeria Pulcinella, or several locations of Tutta Bella Neapolitan or Via Tribunali.

 

Those lucky enough to travel to the source will find pizza on just about every corner in Naples.   Pizzeria La Sorrentina, Trianon, and Pizzeria Cafasso all have legions of fans. But L’Antica Pizzeria de Michele has held the “best pizza in Naples’ title for years.  It serves only Pizza Marinara, Pizza Margherita, and Pizza Ripiena, which is a baked calzone.  Since it was featured in the book “Eat, Pray, Love,” the lines to get in are even longer than usual and you may not find it worth the wait.

 

Antica Pizzeria di Matteo is another great choice with a bigger menu.  In addition to the traditional pizzas, di Matteo also specializes in fried balls of dough, rice, and potatoes.  Buy some to snack on while you wait for your pizza.

 

Baby pizzas

Here’s a great recipe for Baby Pizzas that you can make if you’ve come home really hungry from work and have to snack it up until dinner time.

Chicken Baby Pizza

Ingredients

200 gm minced chicken

2 spring onions chopped

4 cloves garlic (crushed)

1 tomato sliced

1 shredded capsicum (green pepper)

4 slices of bread (toasted and buttered) or pizza dough

lots of cheese

a pinch of oregano or a lot of oregano

salt and pepper

Method

Generously coat a hot pan with melting butter. When it’s really hot, add in the garlic. After a minute, follow with the chopped spring onions. Let it saute for thirty seconds. Now, add in the shredded capsicum.

Set this aside. Now add more butter and cook the minced chicken in it. Stir fry with salt and pepper. After about 5 minutes, set this aside too.

Rub the pan clean with bread slices so it gets coated with thin gravy (mmm). If you’re using bread, place the bread slices on a plate. Place the sliced tomatoes on them. Add the meat and the salted onions/pepper. Grate a lot of cheese over the whole thing. Add mustard, sauce or any dressing that you like. Microwave the slices for thirty seconds so that the cheese melts. If you’re using pizza dough instead, place them on a pizza stone or pan, add the toppings and dressings, and then heat them on a trusted pizza oven.

Sprinkle the baby pizzas with oregano, chilli powder, talcum powder, baby powder or whatever (kidding). Eat and enjoy!

Veggie Baby Pizza

Ingredients

Here are the changes in the ingredients from above:

Lose the meat. Boil a potato and slice it instead. If you hate boiling the potato for whatever reason, just microwave a raw potato in its jacket for 2.5 minutes in a microwave. It becomes just like a boiled potato. Use the same ingredients as above with slices of potato and tomato on the bread slices.

There are many variations possible here. 

Homemade Pizza With Hearty Ingredients Is Not Just for Kids

Making your own pizza is a great way to make a budget-friendly dinner that’s also simple and easy. It also tends to be healthier and more delicious

 

Pizza usually gets a raw deal when it comes to nutrition. But like so many other high-calorie and fat-laden dishes that have been adapted for a healthier diet, pizza can be reformed. 

 

It’s not a rule that pizza has to have salty meats high in cholesterol and fat. You don’t need to use white flour on the crust, either. A few simple substitutions can make a healthy guilt-free homemade pizza that kids and adults will enjoy.

 

Start With the Crust

Ready-made crusts are fine. But you should choose a crust that uses whole grains, for example Boboli-brand whole wheat pizza crusts. Alternatively, you can also use the following instead of crust:

  • Whole wheat bread
  • Whole wheat (split) English muffins
  • Crust
  • Bread splices
  • Whole wheat (split) bagels, large or mini bagels work fine

 

Some breads are higher in calories, so read the nutrition facts on the wrappers or just pick a personal favorite. The common denominator for high-calorie breads is usually whole grain flour.

 

When you’re ready, place the crust, bread slices, or split breads on a cookie sheet or pizza pan. 

 

No Sauce? No Problem

Jar sauces are not that bad if used sparingly. 1/4 Cup Ragu Pizza Sauce has only 30 calories. But why use sauce at all? For a slight change of taste, try salsa. This sauce alternative comes with about 20 calories per 1/4 cup. Better yet, thinly sliced tomatoes work just fine, especially on individual pizzas made with English muffins. Sprinkle a little oregano on top of the tomato for a great sauce substitute.

 

Add One or More Favorite Vegetable Toppings

Black olives contain a good amount of iron, and 5 large olives equals 25 calories. Don’t stop there, however! You should also try other raw vegetables for a little added crunch and flavor:

  • Mushrooms
  • Banana peppers, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers
  • Pineapple
  • Onion slices
  • Black olives
  • Chopped cauliflower
  • Spinach leaves
  • Chopped broccoli

 

Go Easy on the Meats and Cheese

Meats are not totally off-limits, of course. But instead of piling on the pepperoni, why not use some of the following healthier alternatives:

  • Deli-thin sliced turkey
  • Chicken chunks
  • Steak or beef strips
  • Lean ham

 

You can also usually find grilled chicken and steak strips in the frozen food section of your local grocery store. 

 

If you’re someone who absolutely needs to have pepperoni, then use just a taste. Cut pre-sliced rounds into halves or quarters. Then, use only a fraction of what you would normally use. 

 

Seafood-lovers might like adding cooked shrimp and garlic in place of other meats for a seafood pizza.

 

Finely shredded cheese comes in low-fat choices. But be careful to sprinkle lightly on top of the pizza. Another cheese trick: Don’t buy individual packages of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Instead, buy one package of pizza cheese. Applied to the pizza with a light hand, you can use half the usual amount of cheese just by buying the one package.

 

Baking Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. If you’re using a wood-fired oven, make sure to choose your firewood appropriately
  2. Place the assembled pizza(s) on a baking sheet or pizza pan. Then, place the pan on the  middle rack in the oven.
  3. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly. This takes about 10-12 minutes.
  4. Remove from oven.
  5. Enjoy. Serve with a salad for dinner. Alternatively, serve smaller portions as snacks for movie night. 
  6. Refrigerate leftovers.

 

Buying pizza ingredients is a great way to teach kids about grocery shopping and nutrition. Personal-sized pizzas allow children to make their own creations, using toppings they like. Children who help in the kitchen are more apt to eat what they make themselves, even when they’re trying new ingredients such as vegetable toppings.

 

Healthier alternatives result in meals that kids and adults can enjoy without the guilt. As an easy dinner or as a snack on movie night, homemade pizza earns a place at the top of the favorites list.

Vegetarian Pizza

Quick and Easy Gourmet Meatless Pizza Topping Ideas

Pizza toppings aren’t confined to pepperoni and pineapple. There are plenty of vegetarian pizza topping combinations that can make a pizza exciting.

Think pizza means pepperoni and cheese?

Most pizza parlours feature at least a few vegetarian options, offering everything from classic combos like broccoli, peppers and tomatoes to exquisite gourmet pies. Here are a few basic and gourmet pizza topping ideas.

Pizza Crust Ideas

Homemade or store-bought doughs work here, as do pre-baked pizza crusts and alternative crusts like mini pitas. Just be sure to follow the cooking instructions for your specific type of crust – those made form fresh dough may need to be pre-baked, adding time to the meal.

Cooking Time and Temperature

Most pizzas have to cook at a hot temperature – about 425 F, for up to 12 minutes. For best results, check the instructions on your dough recipe or crust package.

How to Build a Pizza

The quantity of ingredients used to build a pizza varies with the size of the crust and each individual’s taste. Here are some guidelines for a standard 12-inch pizza:

Ingredients:

  • About ¼ – ½ cup sauce
  • About 1 ½ – 2 cups grated cheese (less if using stronger or a soft cheese)
  • ¼ – ½ cup each vegetable topping
  • 1/8 – ¼ cup salty, canned vegetable, and strong cheese toppings

Directions:

  1. Using a wooden spoon, gently spread a thin layer of sauce across the pizza shell, leaving a 1-inch crust at the edges.
  2. Sprinkle grated mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
  3. Layer additional toppings evenly over top.
  4. Top with strong cheeses.

For the complete pizza experience, use a Californo pizza oven and serve with vegetarian Caesar salad.

Pizza Topping Combinations

See the recipe below for tantalizing topping combos, or combine your own.

Sauce Choices

  • Tomato (pizza) sauce
  • Pesto sauce
  • Salsa
  • Bruschetta mix

Fresh Vegetable Toppings

Cut toppings into small pieces so that every bite combines several flavours.

  • Green, red, yellow or orange bell peppers
  • Banana peppers (spicy)
  • Broccoli (layer under the cheese to prevent the florets from drying out)
  • Red onion
  • Green onion
  • Cooking onions (caramelized or fresh)
  • Pineapple
  • Roasted garlic (try blending into the sauce)
  • Mushrooms
  • Zucchini
  • Fresh tomatoes
  • Fresh cilantro, basil or parsley

Canned Vegetable (and Fruit) Toppings

  • Artichoke hearts
  • Pepperoncini peppers (spicy)
  • Chipotle peppers or puree (very spicy)
  • Capers
  • Roasted red peppers
  • Sundried tomatoes

Salty Toppings

  • Sliced green or black olives
  • Kalamata olives
  • Tapenade (olive paste)
  • Pesto
  • Sundried tomato pesto

Nostalgic “Meat” Toppings

  • Faux pepperoni
  • Faux sausages, sliced
  • Artificial bacon bits

Cheeses

Try using a base of mozzarella cheese and blend in or top with a sharper, stronger cheese.

  • Shredded mozzarella – the classic pizza cheese
  • Shredded cheddar or sharp cheddar (blend in with mozzarella)
  • Feta cheese
  • Goat’s cheese
  • Cream cheese

Pizza Combinations

Try one of these great vegetarian pizza combinations.

Classic Vegetarian

  • Tomato sauce (pizza sauce)
  • Broccoli
  • Chopping green and/or red peppers
  • Red onions
  • Mozzarella cheese

Savour and Spice

  • Tomato sauce, mixed with about 1/2 tsp. sauce from a can of chipotle peppers (adobo)
  • Garlic powder or minced garlic
  • Grated mozzarella with a touch of old cheddar cheese mixed in
  • Sliced green onion
  • Pepperoncini peppers, sliced
  • Roasted red peppers, drained and sliced
  • Black or Kalamata olives, sliced

Meat-Lovers Vegetarian Faker

  • Tomato or pizza sauce
  • Yves brand vegetarian pepperoni slices (1/2 package)
  • Tofurky brand vegetarian Kielbasa sausage, sliced into ¼” slices
  • Chopped green pepper
  • Thinly sliced red or cooking onion

Gourmet (White) Pesto Pizza

Using pesto or another sauce (even sour cream!) is a trendy alternative to tomato-based pizza; perfect for those who don’t like tomatoes.

  • Pesto sauce (about ¼ cup), spread thinly over the crust
  • Sliced black or Kalamata olives
  • Mozzarella
  • Small chunks of feta cheese
  • Strips of sundried tomatoes (packed in oil)