The Ultimate Guide to Pizzas

The Ultimate Guide to Pizzas

Whether you’re a pizza fanatic or want to learn how to cook pizza, The ultimate guide to pizzas will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need. This article will teach you about pizzas’ origins, styles, and cooking techniques worldwide. And whether you want a classic New York-style pizza, a California-style pizza, or a Neapolitan pizza, you’ll discover all the tips you need to make them the best you’ve ever tasted.

Origins

Invented in Naples, Italy, pizza is a favorite food for many people worldwide. It is also a favorite in America. However, its origins need to be better documented. Whether pizza originated in China, India, or other countries is a mystery.

Several ancient cultures served flatbreads with different ingredients on top. Some cultures topped their bread with cheese and vegetables, while others topped their bread with herbs or oil. However, the modern pizza with tomato and mozzarella was created in Naples.

The earliest known record of pizza dates back to the 1st century BC. This circular bread was baked on hot ashes. The recipe is unknown, but it probably contained salt, lard, and garlic.

Another early mention of flatbreads is from the 6th century BC. Ancient Egyptians also consumed flatbreads topped with herbs and meats. Some cultures served a variety of flatbreads, including the man’oushe, a Chinese version of pizza.

Neapolitan

Authentic Neapolitan pizza is made with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh basil, and olive oil. It is served by hand in Naples and is considered a traditional dish. The pizza is made in a wood-fired oven.

The best way to make an authentic Neapolitan pizza is to use high-quality pizza flour. This flour has a higher gluten content, which results in more giant air bubbles. The pizza dough is also proofed for eight hours. It is covered with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out.

A wood-fired oven generates a boiling temperature and is used for baking the pizza. The dough can rise and cook quickly at this temperature. Additionally, it produces a soft and malleable crust on the inside and is somewhat crispy on the exterior.

The pizza is topped with fresh mozzarella and fresh basil like the best pizza in Breckenridge. The pizza is also served with a simple tomato sauce. The pizza can be eaten with a knife and fork or whole.

The Neapolitan pizza has a distinctive taste and texture. The base of the pizza is thin, and the crust is very crisp.

California-Style

Unlike New York-style pizza, California-style pizza features a thinner crust. California pizza is also known for its creative and unconventional toppings. It often features organic and local produce.

The creation of California-style pizza can be traced back to the early 1980s. Wolfgang Puck, a celebrity chef, popularized the style in the United States. At the time, he was working at the Spago restaurant in Hollywood.

Aside from Wolfgang Puck, other prominent figures creating California-style pizza include Alice Waters and Ed LaDou. Together, they created over 250 pizza combinations.

In the early days, LaDou made his pizzas. They featured such unusual ingredients as goat cheese, truffles, and mustard. He also served experimental pizzas to Wolfgang Puck.

The California Pizza Kitchen was also a significant influence on the creation of this style of pizza. The menu featured dishes that incorporated innovative ingredients, such as goat cheese, buffalo chicken, and artichoke hearts. These fusion dishes were spread over an Italian base and baked in a wood-fired oven.

New York style

Generally, New York-style pizza is served in large, foldable slices with a thin crust and a pronounced edge. This makes pizza more convenient to eat. It also lets you put down as many slices as you like.

New York-style pizza has become trendy in the United States and abroad. This style is a descendant of the Neapolitan original. Initially, it was cooked in coal-fired ovens. Today, most pizza places use gas or deck ovens.

A typical New York-style pizza has a base 18 inches in diameter. The crust is thin and hand-tossed. The pizza is typically topped with a thin layer of shredded mozzarella cheese. Usually, the pizza is covered with a red American-Italian sauce.

The pizza sauce may be a thin, fresh sauce or a heavily seasoned cooked tomato sauce, usually made of salt, garlic, sugar, and olive oil. The toppings are often simple and consist of select meats.

The basic pizza dough is made from flour, yeast, and water. It is proofed for up to 48 hours before baking. The dough is rolled out, topped with sauce, and baked in a deck oven.