Basics About The Food Pizza

By Amanda Bean


Pizza is a round, flat bread that is oven baked and typically topped with cheese, tomato sauce, vegetables and meat. The modern style that we know today originated in Italy but is not an extremely popular dish in most parts of the world. Places known for selling and making this dish are called pizzerias. So many variations of this dish are available.

This dish can be cooked in many different kinds of ovens and there are numerous ingredients that may be included as topping. This can be served hot or warm. Variations of the dish include stromboli and calzone.

The word pizza comes from the Greek and Latin languages. The dish that we people know and love today originated in Naples, Italy as the Neapolitan flatbread. However, urban legends suggest the Pizza Margherita was first created in 1889.

In restaurant settings, the dish can be baked in ovens with stone bricks over the heat source, a conveyor belt oven, an electric deck oven or in high-class restaurants, a coal- or wood-fired brick oven. At home, it is usually baked on a pizza stone in a traditional oven. Another option is grilled, which is when the crust is directly baked on a barbecue grill. Like Chicago-style pizza, Greek is based inside of a pan rather than on the bricks of the oven.

The bottom half of this dish is the crust. This can vary in its overall style and thickness. Thin types are typically the result of hand-tossed dough. Thicker versions, also known as Roman style, are standard for pan- or Chicago-style versions. Typically the crust is plain. However, sometimes it is seasoned with various herbs and garlic, or filled with cheese.

Traditionally, mozzarella was the only cheese used and it came from the surrounding areas of Naples. Other kinds of cheeses are added nowadays. Processed versions are more common for mass-produced pizzas, as this provides favorable moisture content, browning, melting, and fat and stretchiness. Romano, provolone, scamorza, pecorino romano and ricotta are common cheese selections.

In terms of toppings, the options are plenty. Some people prefer to have theirs with only sauce and cheese, believing the best recipes do not need all the added ingredients. Others prefer to include toppings, such as meats, fruit and vegetables. Some of the toppings that are commonly included: pineapple, seafood, spinach, mushrooms, bacon, olives, onions, anchovies, peppers, ham, ground beef, tomatoes, pepperoni and artichoke.

There are so many options when it comes to the popular dish pizza. This food item is believed to have originated in Italy but has become a beloved recipe in many parts of the world. There are numerous toppings, cheeses, sauces and crusts available. Furthermore, there are different styles and variations available from place to place. The main components of this recipe include dough, some form of tomato sauce and cheese.




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