Originally belonging to the country of Italy, pizza has now gained popularity the world over, acquiring ever new variations as it comes into contact with the cultures outside of which it initially originated. A pizza is usually made with thin crusts and simple toppings such as tomatoes and olives but its American counterpart has a thicker crust and a wide variety of toppings ranging from meat, vegetables, and at times even pineapple!
Globally the dish has adapted itself to the tastes and preferences of different nationalities and remains one of the most popular choices for festive occasions. It is often consumed with beverages like coke and Pepsi but items like garlic bread and desserts are found to be more delicious when combined with any choice of pizza.
Although detrimental to health if consumed in excess, a pizza still provides various health benefits if co-summed in appropriate amounts because it contains proteins, fats, and a relatively high concentration of carbohydrates. To mitigate the amount of calorie intake, one could also choose a whole grain crust and reduce the amount of cheese and meat added as toppings. The nutritional content of the dish aids in digestion, regulating blood glucose levels, and also helps the body repair tissues. A moderate concentration of antioxidants in pizzas also helps protect cells from damage.
The best thing about Pizza is it can be made as both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.
The ingredients for a vegetarian pizza are:
Veggie Delight
1 pre-made or homemade pizza crust
1 cup pizza sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup diced vegetables (such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and olives)
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Roll out the pizza crust on a lightly floured surface and place it on a baking sheet or pizza pan.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the crust, leaving a small border around the edge.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Arrange the diced vegetables on top of the cheese.
- Brush the olive oil over the vegetables and sprinkle salt and pepper on top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Chicken Cheese Pizza Recipe:
Ingredients:
1 pre-made pizza crust
1 cup marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup cooked and shredded chicken or other meats of your choice (e.g. pepperoni, sausage, ham, etc.)
1 cup chopped vegetables (e.g. bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, etc.)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Place the pizza crust on a baking sheet or pizza pan.
- Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the crust.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Add the cooked and shredded meat and chopped vegetables on top of the cheese.
- Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
It is quite surprising that such a seemingly simple dish made with a few ingredients has won the hearts of many around the world. Maybe its widespread popularity, notwithstanding its appetizing nature, owes its explanation to the fact that the dish somehow manages to retain itself in spite of undergoing innumerable variations. Such resilience perhaps is why the Pizza continues to be relished. But whether pineapples desecrate the dish’s Italian origin still remains open to question.