Humanity is divided into two categories – those who love pizza, and those who are crazy about it. The variety of varieties of this dish is amazing, and therefore even the most discerning eaters can easily find their favorite flavor combinations.
How many birthmarks does pizza have?
Oddly enough, but Italy is not the historical birthplace of pizza. This honorary title is claimed by several countries with convincing arguments at the ready. The Greeks claim that it was their ancient ancestors who prepared a dish called plakuntos, baking a flat bread cake with vegetables and cheese on the stones. As proof, they present references to this food in the writings of Plato.
The ancient Persians prepared a similar dish long before the Hellenes, – the inhabitants of modern Iran object to this. Eternal nomadic life itself suggested the recipe for the perfect suitable dish. The inventive warriors fried flat unleavened tortillas on their own shields, sprinkling the dough with chopped meat.
The ancient Vikings were the first to prepare pizza – – Norwegian scientists join the discussion. In their signature tortillas, they most often added fish or meat with vegetables,
and they were cooked in a civilized way in special large frying pans. In confirmation of the words, they show the same frying pans found during the excavations of the ancient habitats of the glorious forefathers.
According to another version, the pizza, or rather its prototype, was brought with them by Roman legionaries as a trophy from the Palestinian lands. So Palestine, too, has every right to participate in the historical dispute. And although the opponents have not come to a common opinion so far, they are united in one thing: with the advent of pizza, the world has become much better.
A recipe created by time
Whatever it was, the title of unsurpassed pizza connoisseurs belongs entirely to the Italians. For many decades, in ancient Rome, flat barley cakes were used as plates. They were served with grilled meat, olives, and herbs. The poor, who were content with a more modest meal, ate their “plates”. Later, the wealthy people also became addicted to this habit. For this reason, tortillas began to be baked from high-quality flour varieties.
A more advanced prototype of pizza, focazzia, has long been considered the food of the peasants, and the rich did not even know about it. A rustic flatbread was prepared from unleavened dough with the addition of garlic and herbs. This creation is known to us today as pizza focaccia. By the way, many Italian chefs recognize it as the authentic and only standard.
In the XV century, a product appeared in Naples that played a crucial role in the history of the creation of modern pizza. Local cattle breeders have prepared a surprisingly tender and soft mozzarella cheese from buffalo milk. A little later, Europe got acquainted with a strange tomato, which was brought from the shores of the North American continent by inquisitive explorers. At first, the overseas fruit was unanimously recognized as the creation of the devil and disowned it as the plague. However, after a while, the Neapolitan peasants dared to add tomato slices to their favorite tortilla-and they did not lose. The “devil’s food” was quite a pleasant taste, perfectly combined with the unleavened dough.
A few centuries later, in 1889, a simple baker Raffaele Esposito, originally from the same Naples, solved a difficult task: how to feed the venerable guests – King Umberto I of Italy and his wife Margherita of Savoy. The original idea was suggested by the colors of the Italian tricolor, and the skilled hands of the chef brought it to life. And after a while, a patriotic round tortilla with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil appeared before the clear eyes of the crowned couple. The result of this culinary impromptu has lived on for centuries, and today is loved all over the world as the most popular pizza of all time, Margarita.
Pizza with a thousand faces
Perhaps, since then, pizza has started a victorious march, first in Italy, and then around the world. Today, the varieties of this dish are innumerable: Marinara with herbs and garlic, Calzone in the form of a closed envelope with filling, Four cheeses, Four seasons with mushrooms, salami, tomatoes and seafood, Romana with anchovies and oregano.
Americans are happy to add their favorite bacon to pizza. In Hawaii, the ham and cheese filling is decorated with a sunny pineapple. In Mexico, the dish is prepared with adored beans and hot pepper. In Australia, you can easily put crocodile or kangaroo meat in pizza. In India or Pakistan, they will never refuse tandoori chicken pizza. In Japan, they prefer to sprinkle hot pizza with shavings of dried tuna.
This dish also did not leave the Russians indifferent. In our region, the favorite variety is home-made pizza. Her recipe combines the variety of products found in the refrigerator, multiplied by the author’s improvisation. For a thin, delicious base, yeast dough is best suited. Roll it into a thin layer, lubricate with tomato paste or ketchup. If there is no prejudice against mayonnaise, you can add it. And as a filling, we take ham or sausage, olives, mushrooms, bell peppers and herbs. Before sending it to the oven, all this riot of colors is liberally sprinkled with grated cheese. In the oven, it will spend 20 minutes at a temperature of 180 degrees. Pizza is especially good in the heat of the heat, although, as practice shows, it almost never has time to cool down.
Apparently, the very first creator of pizza will remain an unnamed hero, and thanks to him will go to the peace foundation. However, to honor his memory, and at the same time once again please the household, you can prepare a ruddy pizza with a crispy crust.