So Many Kinds Of Pizza… So Little Time

Since pizza first came on the scene, many different types have been introduced. Some types are only popular in a particular region, while others are enjoyed all over the world. This just shows how it is a delicious, convenient meal. You can get one from a restaurant or make one at home… either way it is sure to be the favorite choice for dinner.

New York Style features a thin, chewy crust that supports a sweet tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella cheese. It should be eaten with the slice folded in half if you want to be authentic. Yellow oil should drip down your hand and arm… don’t worry, it is from the cheese, which contains a high amount of butterfat. New Yorkers don’t like a lot of toppings on their pizzas… they appreciate the goodness of a well-done 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 also uses oil in the pan. This fries the bottom of the crust, making it a bit crunchy. It also changes the flavor slightly. Pan style offers a thicker crust that has been raised in the pan before baking. Any kind of toppings can be added.

Cracker style crusts first came into popularity in the 1950s. This style offers a slightly fermented crust so it develops a cracker-like texture. This was a new technique in the history of pizza. A normal thin crust, on the other hand, is still soft inside while being crisp on the outside. It is usually stretched by hand. Thin crust generally has less sauce and toppings than the thicker versions.

Focaccia style pies reach back into the far reaches of history to pizza’s early beginnings. This type does not have sauce. Instead, it is topped with oils, grilled vegetables and whatever other toppings that may be on the menu. This type of pie has been eaten in Europe since before the introduction of the tomato.

Other styles continue to be developed. A Tex-Mex style offers a crust that contains masa flour, making it taste more like a corn chip. Tex-Mex pizzas are often topped with shredded beef, corn, and other Mexican style toppings. The sauce is similar to picante sauce. Other regional taste use specific cheeses like Provolone instead of mozzarella to finish them off in the Midwest.

As well as pizza recipes you can find useful pizza how tos, nifty pizza making tips and tricks and articles about the fascinating history of pizza at our site. Pizza recipes have stood the test of time all over the world and pizzas are even more popular now than ever before.