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I love pizza. If you’re reading this, then you probably do as well. Thinking back on my childhood, the two things that made my days the most were pizza and Chinese food.
A pizza is simple but it’s packed with so many flavors. For me, it’s not just food. it’s happy food. It literally changes my mood. I enjoy all the new toppings but I’m a pepperoni kind. Give me a regular crust pepperoni any day.
Where did pizza come from?
Flat bread can be traced back centuries in the Greek and Egyptian civilization. But pizza as we know it started in Naples, Italy. Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba is known as the world’s oldest pizzeria and it’s still serving slices today. It started as an affordable meal and people could buy it on credit.
Here are some interesting numbers on pizza:
Pepperoni is the most popular pizza at 36% of all pies ordered.
Over 3 billion pizzas are sold in the USA each year. Add another 1 billion on frozen pizzas
There are 70,000 pizzerias in the U.S. — over 17% of all restaurants.
Antica Pizzeria, the first Pizzeria, opened in Naples, Italy, in 1738.
Gennaro Lombardi, the first Pizzeria in the United States, opened in 1895 in New York City.
Americans consume on average 23 pounds of pizza per person each year.
Americans order 350 slices of pizza every second.
source: southfloridareporter
Pizza is the perfect meal for sporting events, birthday parties, and even weddings (maybe I’m pushing it a bit, or am I?).
The argument about the best
In America, some say New York and some say Chicago. And lately, Arizona has joined the argument. I’ve been watching Chef’s Table, Pizza documentary on Netflix. I’m learning a lot about people who have made bold changes to the industry and what the future may look like.
But if you can’t visit one of these fine joints right now, you could just order from one of the big players like Domino’s or Pizza Hut. I mean, they get the job done. Or you could do what I do from time…
What I think
What I think we can all agree on is that frozen pizza…
Frozen pizzas lol. I do not wish to step on any toes but I think companies making them can do a lot better. Perhaps there are some good ones out there but I’ve never had any.
So this is what I do.
Make my own. Making pizza at home is fun. It’s art, you know. You choose your toppings, you choose the layout and all. It’s a good way to bond with your partner, kids, or friends. There is this joy and feeling of great accomplishment throughout the process.
You can make your own dough or buy raw or precooked dough. The freedom of choosing your own toppings means that you can make just about any pizza. I used to make my own dough but recently I’ve been using the precooked one below. It makes the process faster when you just want a good Friday evening bite.
My go-to recipe
preheat oven to 400
1 pre-cooked dough
add 4-6 tablespoons of sauce (you can add spices/herbs to boost flavor)
add a few handfuls of mozzarella cheese
layer with pepperoni
place in oven and bake 10-15mins or until cheese starts to brown.
Once it’s done, just slice and indulge.
So that’s my go-to. There are many levels in the pizza world. Eat where you’re comfortable. I love to see how people, especially kids react when that scent hit their nostrils and they take that first bite. If you have a favorite recipe or pizza spot, let me know.