Pizza, the beloved comfort food, is more than just a cheesy delight. It's a culinary journey with a rich history, a symphony of taste and texture, and a canvas for endless creativity.
History of pizza
Pizza's origin story can be traced back to ancient civilizations that enjoyed flatbreads topped with various ingredients. However, the pizza we know and love today is believed to have originated in Naples, Italy, around the 18th century. Initially, it was street food for the working class, but its popularity soon reached across social divides.
The art of pizza preparation
The foundation of a pizza is a simple yet delicious dough made from flour, water, yeast, and salt. This is then traditionally topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, but the magic lies in the endless variations. From pepperoni and sausage to veggies and gourmet toppings, there's a pizza for every palate.
The preparation method can vary depending on the style. Neapolitan pizza, for example, is known for its thin crust cooked in a wood-fired oven at high temperatures. New York-style pizza offers a larger, foldable slice with a slightly thicker crust.
Chicago deep-dish pizza takes the cake or should we say, the pie with its signature deep dish filled with chunky tomato sauce and generous amounts of cheese.
Historical figures who fell in love with pizza
Pizza has won the hearts and stomachs of many throughout history. Queen Margherita of Savoy, in the late 19th century, supposedly had a pizza created in her honor, the Pizza Margherita, with the colors of the Italian flag - tomato, mozzarella, and basil.
More recently, celebrities like actor Charlie Chaplin once remarked, "Ancora mi ricordo il sapore delizioso della pizza che mangiavo a Napoli" "I still remember the delicious taste of the pizza I ate in Naples".
Video of Pepperoni Pizza
Ingredients of Pepperoni Pizza
To prepare the pizza dough you will need these ingredients:
- 160g Flour. (All-Purpose)
- Teaspoon of yeast.
- Teaspoon of sugar.
- ¼ Tablespoon of salt.
- Tablespoon of olive oil.
- 90ml Warm water.
- 4 Tomatoes.
- 1 Clove of garlic.
- 4 - 5 Basil leaves.
- Tablespoon of oregano.
- 2 Tablespoons of olive oil.
- Pinch of black pepper.
- ¼ Teaspoon of salt.
- Tablespoon of sugar.
- Tablespoon of tomato paste.
- Pepperoni sausage slices.
- 200g Mozzarella cheese.
- Half an onion.
- Boiled corn kernels.
- (You can add ingredients to your taste).
"The amount of ingredients changes depending on the number of individuals"
We have finished the first stage, which is collecting the ingredients for pizza, now we will move on to the method of preparing pepperoni pizza step by step.
How To Prepare Pepperoni Pizza
1. In a bowl add 160g of flour.
2. Add a teaspoon of yeast.
3. Add a teaspoon of sugar.
4. Add 1 - 4 teaspoons of salt and mix well.
5. Add a tablespoon of olive oil.
6. Add a glass of warm water.
7. Mix well until it turns into a dough.
8. Knead the pizza dough with your hand until it becomes firm.
9. In a bowl I pour a little olive oil and grease the bowl with it.
10. Put the dough in the bowl, cover and then let it ferment for 40 - 60 Minutes.
11. Bring the tomatoes and cut them like this.
12. Dictate a pot with water, put it on the fire and put the tomatoes to boil for 3 minutes.
13. After 3 minutes, take out the tomatoes, pour boiling water, let cool a little, then peel them.
14. Put the tomatoes in a mixer.
15. Add a clove of garlic.
16. Add 4 - 5 basil leaves.
17. Add a tablespoon of oregano.
18. Grind everything with a mixer.
19. In a frying pan over medium heat add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
20. I pour the pizza sauce that we prepared into the pan.
21. Add a small pinch of black pepper.
22. Add a teaspoon of salt.
23. Add a tablespoon of sugar.
24. Add a tablespoon of tomato paste.
25. Mix occasionally and let the sauce cook for 10 minutes until thickened, don't forget to cover the sauce.
26. In a large round mold, place a parchment sheet on top.
27. Sprinkle a little flour on the work surface.
28. Knead the dough and make it spherical.
29. Spread the dough thinly using a dough broth.
30. Put the dough in the mold and make it take a round shape with the edges highlighted like a traditional pizza shape.
31. Prick all over the surface of the dough with a fork.
32. Pour a little sauce and spread it on the surface of the pizza dough.
33. Spread the chopped mozzarella cheese over the pizza.
34. Add a few boiled corn kernels.
35. Add a few thin onion slices.
36. Add pepperoni slices.
37. Bake the pizza in a preheated oven at a temperature of 200°C or 400F.
38. Enjoy!
From its humble beginnings as street food to its global domination, pizza's journey is a testament to its deliciousness and versatility. So next time you take a bite, savor the flavors, appreciate the history, and understand why this simple dish has captured hearts for centuries.
Pizza's popularity isn't without debate. While some hail it as a culinary masterpiece, others criticize its high fat and calorie content. Regardless of its health quotient, pizza's ability to bring people together and satisfy our cravings is undeniable.