May 26 2010
So Many Kinds Of Pizza… So Little Time
Throughout the history of pizza, many types have been invented. Some are made in certain locations; others are made everywhere. It just goes to show how popular it is all over the world. It is delicious, convenient, and offers a great deal of variety. It does not matter whether you buy your pizza or make it yourself… you are in for a great meal that everyone will enjoy.
Fans of New York style will fold their slices in half while eating them. This style features a crust that is thin and chewy, topped with a sweet tomato sauce and delicious fresh mozzarella. One of the hallmarks of a real New York pizza is the yellow grease that runs down your arm from the rich cheese. You will not find a pile of toppings on a New York pie… they like to enjoy the genius of a simple pizza.
Ike Sewel came up with the idea for Chicago style in 1943. His version was deep dish, with tall sides on the crust to hold in all the toppings. He wanted a pizza that was not only delicious, but also filling. In Chicago, the cheese is put on first, followed by the toppings and finally by the sauce. A dab of margarine in the pan helps crisp up the crust. This is not a hand held kind of pie… you must use a fork and knife.
California Style tends to focus on exotic toppings and unusual combinations. The crust is double baked after rising, to retain the height gained. The crust tastes light, tender, and airy. Toppings can be as unusual as smoked salmon, shrimp, or asparagus. Vegetarian toppings are common.
Pan style features a crust that is a bit thicker. Oil is added to the pan before cooking, making a crunchy fried crust bottom. The flavor is also slightly different. All sorts of toppings can be used on pan style.
Cracker style crusts became the rage in the 1950s. This dough was allowed to ferment before baking, which gave it a cracker-like texture. This was a new technique. Normal thin crust is usually hand stretched. One may wonder where did pizza originate? Most think of Italy, but these thin crusts were very popular with the Greeks and Etruscans, who happened to be occupying Italy.
Focaccia is more than just a bread… it is one of the original ways pizza was served. It did not have a sauce. Oils, vegetables and other toppings were added and baked on. This style has been eaten in Europe long before the tomato was introduced by New World explorers.
Today, even more types of pizza are being invented. Tex-Mex has a crust that contains some masa, or corn flour. This gives the crust a flavor like a corn chip. They are often topped with Mexican ingredients, like corn, shredded beef, and even picante sauce. Some pizzas that remain regional only change a few ingredients. For instance, in the Midwest, they prefer Provolone cheese instead of fresh mozzarella.
Pizza can be many different things. It can be a fast food or a healthy homemade meal and there are lots of dough recipes, sauce recipes, and topping ingredients to choose from. Pizza history is also interesting. Do you know where pizza originated or who invented pizza? You can find out at our site.
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