General Information Regarding A Pizza

By Amanda Bean


Pizza is the name used to describe a flat, round bread that is baked in the oven and usually topped with a tomato sauce, meat, vegetables and cheese. The modern-day style was invented in Italy, but the dish has become increasingly popular in many areas of the world. Places that are known for making and selling this food item are called pizzerias. So many varieties 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.

Pizza is a word that is derived from words in the Latin and Greek languages. The dish, as many know it today, was created in Naples, Italy and known as Neapolitan flatbread. Still, there are urban legends that exist suggesting the Pizza Margherita was first made 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.

Originally these would only include mozzarella as the cheese. It was of the highest quality, produced in the areas around Naples. Other kinds of cheese can, and are, added today. Processed cheeses are often used for mass-market production, providing the most preferable qualities when it comes to browning, moisture content, fat and stretchiness, and melting. Scamorza, ricotta, pecorino romano and provolone are just some examples of cheeses used with this dish.

When it comes to toppings, the options are endless. Some prefer theirs with only cheese and sauce, with the belief that the best kinds do not need all the extras. Others like to include various meats, vegetables and even fruit to this dish. Some toppings that are commonly added to these dishes include, but are not limited to: anchovies, pineapple, ham, sausage, mushrooms, ground beef, olives, bacon, onions, peppers, artichoke, spinach, pepperoni, tomatoes, and seafood.

There are so many things to choose from when it comes to the modern-day pizza. This is a popular dish that has origins in Naples, Italy but has become an increasingly popular food choice in many other areas around the globe. There are different sauces, toppings, crusts and cheeses available. Furthermore, multiple styles and variations exist. The primary ingredients included with this recipe: dough, cheese and some version of tomato sauce.




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