A crispy and tender bread base, a topping of delicious tomato sauce and a generous layer of grated cheese, who can resist this simple but classic delicacy? This is the basis of pizza, and also the recipe for the most traditional and simplest pizza of all, the Margarita pizza. But, in addition, we can add all kinds of ingredients to this base. It is because of its versatility (as well as because it is delicious) that pizza is one of the most consumed foods in the world. And of course, such a popular food could not be without its own day on the calendar. So join us in celebrating World Pizza Day, every February 9th.
This typical Neapolitan dish is the king of Fast Food. These establishments have taken over this dish that has nothing wrong with it. Pizzas are 100% Mediterranean diet, as long as they are made at home with fresh and natural ingredients.
As we said, it is originally from Naples, Italy. However, pizzas have conquered the stomach of the whole world. Becoming one of the most consumed foods worldwide.
That is why such an international dish could not be without its own day in the Calendar. So, every February 9th is celebrated the World Pizza Day. And, if you also want to celebrate it in the best way, join us to know pizza you this day more in depth.
Although it is well known, let’s see what pizza is.
Let’s start with the word pizza, so original and beautiful. This word comes from the Greek pēktos, and means solid. A good definition for this dish that is usually eaten with the hands. This recipe is one of the most emblematic dishes of Italian gastronomy. Although it is a very old elaboration, as we will see below; since, the base, consists of a circular dough made with wheat flour, salt, water and yeast. All of this is baked in the oven.
This base is covered with tomato sauce and then with grated cheese. On top, we can add all kinds of ingredients to our taste.
Celebrate World Pizza Day, every February 9
Strangely enough, World Pizza Day is relatively recent. For it has only been celebrated since 2017. Despite being such a popular and appreciated food all over the world, it did not have its own date. In addition, the reason for this celebration is most curious. Let’s take a look at it.
Why is World Pizza Day celebrated?
It all started in 2017, the result of a heated debate on Twitter. And is that the president of Iceland asked on his Twitter if the pizza should have pineapple or not (the eternal debate). As expected, this question generated a great uproar among lovers of pineapple on pizza and its detractors. And there are no half measures here, either you are for or against.
The debate soon went viral, even attracting the attention of UNESCO, which, taking advantage of the commotion, decided that such a popular food should be Intangible Heritage of Humanity. In addition to being a world-famous food, this decision was due to the important social role that pizza has played for years. It is a symbol of reunion with others and an invitation to share.
This decision was approved by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Heritage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization at a meeting held on Jeju Island (South Korea). It was also backed by a worldwide petition with more than two million signatures.
The decision to declare pizza Intangible Heritage of Humanity was, as expected, widely celebrated in Italy. It was even celebrated by handing out free pizza slices.
But back to the Icelandic president, we don’t know whether the pineapple won or not. What did become clear is that he is not at all fond of this ingredient. He even went so far as to say that he would ban pineapple pizza. Will Hawaiian pizza be banned in Iceland by now?
Celebrate this Day by making your own totally homemade recipe
It’s true that we don’t usually make pizzas at home. And, let’s not fool ourselves, it is so easy to order them by simply logging on to a website. Or, buying the already precooked pizzas that we can find in all food stores. But it is also true that these preparations have nothing to do with an authentic Neapolitan pizza, with fresh and natural ingredients, baked in a wood-fired oven.
But we can prepare delicious and healthy pizzas at home. Besides, if you have kids at home, making the dough will be a great show. It is a great way to introduce them to the kitchen while you have a good time. That’s why we leave you with this great recipe for thick and fluffy pizza dough. You’ll love it! Plus, we can’t think of a better way to celebrate World Pizza Day.
Thick and Fluffy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cup Strong Flour (300 grams)
- 1 Yeast sachet
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Cup Tomato Sauce
- 1 Garlic clove
- 1 Tbsp Fresh basil
- 2 cup Water (200 ml)
- 1 Cup Grated mozzarella
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Cherry tomatoes
- Salt
Instructions
- Let's start with the base: Put the flour in a large bowl. Add the yeast and salt. In this mixture, make a well in the flour (leave a hole in the center), and there, add the warm water and olive oil, start mixing with a wooden spoon until you get asoft dough that will be quite wet. Place the mixture on a clean surface previously covered with flour (this way we avoid that the dough sticks to us,so pour flour also on your hands. Knead for 5 minutes until smooth. When the dough no longer sticks (if it sticks too much, add a little more flour until the dough does not stick too much) make a ball with the dough, put it back inthe bowl and cover it with a kitchen towel. Set aside. You can let the dough rise (let it rest for half an hour) if you want the dough to be thicker and fluffier.3 cup Strong Flour, 1 Yeast sachet, 2 cup Water, Salt, 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- To prepare the sauce just mix the tomato, chopped basil and crushed garlic. Add salt and pepper to taste and set aside at room temperature while you continue with the dough.1 Cup Tomato Sauce, 1 Garlic clove, 1 Tbsp Fresh basil
- Now we have to knead a little. Separate the dough into two balls and continue kneading. On a floured surface, spread the dough and start kneading. You must knead until the dough has tension, that is, the dough returns to its original shape. This is how it should be. With a rolling pin, shape it. The dough should be very thin because it will rise in the oven. Place the dough on the baking sheet on a baking paper to prevent it from sticking to the baking sheet.
- To finish the recipe, let's bake. We start by preheating the oven to 390ºF. We cover our pizza dough with the sauce we have prepared. We can help us with the back of a spoon to spread the sauce well throughout the dough.Cover with the two types of grated cheese, put the cherries and season to taste. If you like oregano you can sprinkle a little on top (it will look great). Bake for 8-10 minutes until crispy, and now you have your delicious thick and fluffy homemade pizza dough ready!1 Cup Grated mozzarella, Grated Parmesan cheese, Cherry tomatoes, Salt
Notes
Have you tried changing the tomato for cream? This is the base of the carbonara pizza.
Nutrition
A little bit of history
I’m sure you’re all looking forward to celebrating this day with a good pizza. But, a good way to celebrate World Pizza Day is to learn more about this ancient dish. So, let’s take a look at the history of pizza.
And this food is as old as bread. For, as is logical, they are closely linked.
Therefore, to reach the origin of the pizza we have to go back to the year 500 BC approximately, in ancient Greece, Rome or Persia, where, after discovering the yeast, they already made a flat bread, with melted cheese, which they covered with dates.
Also in Egypt they already prepared different breads imitating the shape and color of the sun, which included honey. This ingredient was responsible for the yellowish tone. In Greece, these flat and round breads also evolved, to which spices, garlic, onion… were added.
It is true that this preparation is not very different from the pizza as we know it. But, for this evolution to take place, we have to wait for the arrival of the tomato in Europe. This was a food exclusive to the New World.
When the tomato was brought to Europe and introduced into the diet, cooks began to use it in their recipes. Thus, they began to use tomato in their pizza bases. In fact, according to legend, the pizza as we know it today was the work of the baker Raffaele Esposito of Naples.Who, according to legend, invented the Margarita pizza in 1889.
And here we finish celebrating World Pizza Day, how are you going to celebrate it? Remember to leave us your comments, ideas, opinions… We love to read them! Don’t forget that you can also follow us on social networks to keep up to date with all our publications. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
