Pizza is a beloved dish worldwide, and in the United States, it's like a culinary passport, with regional styles reflecting the diverse tastes of the country. Let's embark on a pizza journey, learning about the top 5 regional pizzas and how to make them at home.
New York-Style Pizza
The New York-Style Pizza is famous for its thin, foldable slices and crispy outer crust. It often comes topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and a variety of toppings.
Ingredients:
- Pizza dough
- Tomato sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil
- Toppings of your choice
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to its highest setting.
- Roll out the pizza dough to a thin round.
- Spread tomato sauce over the dough, then add a layer of mozzarella cheese.
- Drizzle with olive oil, and add your chosen toppings.
- Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
Chicago Deep Dish Pizza is an entirely different beast. The crust is thick and buttery, and it's baked in a deep-dish pan, hence the name. The toppings are layered in reverse, with cheese first, then ingredients, and finally, a robust tomato sauce.
Ingredients:
- Pizza dough
- Tomato sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Toppings of your choice
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Roll out the dough and press it into a deep-dish pizza pan.
- Layer the ingredients: Mozzarella, toppings, and then tomato sauce.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the sauce is bubbling.
California Pizza
The California Pizza, pioneered by the California Pizza Kitchen chain, is known for its unique and gourmet toppings, such as BBQ chicken, smoked salmon, or Thai-inspired flavors.
Ingredients:
- Pizza dough
- Unique toppings (e.g., BBQ chicken, smoked salmon, Thai-inspired toppings)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to its highest setting.
- Roll out the pizza dough into a thin round.
- Add your unique toppings.
- Bake until the crust is golden and the toppings are cooked to your liking.
Detroit-Style Pizza
The Detroit-Style Pizza is a rectangular pizza with a thick crust that's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It's typically topped with Wisconsin brick cheese and a tomato sauce drizzled on top.
Ingredients:
- Pizza dough
- Tomato sauce
- Wisconsin brick cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Stretch the dough into a rectangular shape and place it in a well-oiled baking pan.
- Layer the cheese directly onto the dough, followed by tomato sauce.
- Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is crispy.
St. Louis-Style Pizza
The St. Louis-Style Pizza features a thin, cracker-like crust made without yeast, and is topped with Provel cheese, a combination of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone.
Ingredients:
- Cracker-like pizza dough
- Tomato sauce
- Provel cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Roll out the dough into a thin round.
- Spread tomato sauce over the dough, then add a layer of Provel cheese.
- Bake until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
