Pizza is a worldwide favorite food, according to polls. It's a staple in cafeterias, restaurants, and freezers across the globe. Born in Italy, it was quickly Americanized and eventually globalized. Now it's absolutely one of the most mentioned "favorite foods" of people in all walks of life. Maybe it's the delicious combination of tastes - cheese, tomato sauce, and other tasty toppings. Or maybe it's the convenience; you don't need silverware or even a plate if you're on the go. It's one compact item, ready to be devoured at any time.
Italy may be the seedbed for pizza, but America is the land of innovation. We're known for taking a great invention, and making it even more amazing. Pizza is no exception. We've got Chicago, New York, and St. Louis-style. We've got deep-dish, classic, or thin crust - and we also have various crust flavors. But the best part about this delicious food? There's no end to toppings, as California and Hawaiian-style pies are proof.
Sure, we all love classic pizza, topped with lots of tomato sauce scented with basil, oregano and garlic, oozing with mozzarella cheese and decorated with whatever other else suits your palate. But the basic idea - a shaped dough with toppings - lends itself to creative cooking. For example, east meets west at Thai Pizza Co., a company out of University City, which has 12 varieties of the dish, piled with traditional Thai sauces and toppings on cracker-thin crusts.
At Mosaic in downtown St. Louis, chef executive Ben Lester puts a new spin on pizza with his Pita Pizza of the Day. "We try to come up with something interesting because we get a lot of repeat customers who are looking for something new and different," Lester said. He uses pita bread because it is less filling than a classic crust and is the perfect size for a single serving. Toppings range from smoked pulled chicken and watermelon barbecue sauce to Spanish Avocado Pita topped with guacamole sauce and tofu, a recipe that he shares here.
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Pizza-making is an art that kids especially enjoy. Children can make their own mini-pies in five minutes if you give them a toasted English muffin and let them throw on their favorite toppings. My cousin once handed my kids a wad of dough and told them to shape it however they wanted. One kid molded his into his favorite letter; thus the birth of ABC Pizza.
At Celebrity Chef Kitchens in Olivette, little patrons can assemble 7-inch Piccolo Pizzas made with whole-wheat dough prepared by Chef Marc Felix. Felix also helped develop the dough recipe for ABC Pepperoni version. The theme can extend to dessert as well. A fruit pizza is simply a sugar-cookie crust topped with fruit and whipped cream. Grab any seasonal fresh fruit, canned fruit or frozen fruit, and let your imagination go wild.
It's a dish with endless possibilities and tastes. Also, it's something everyone likes. So whether preparing one or a crowd, you can find a creative recipe that will delight hungry bellies and satisfy the home cook's penchant to go crazy in the kitchen. Rolled or stuffed, savory or sweet, pizza inspires imaginative cuisine.
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