Kamil Perry
The order in which you assemble a pizza is critical to its success. The wrong order can lead to a soggy crust and boiled toppings. So, when making a pepperoni pizza, which goes on first: the pepperoni or the cheese? The answer depends on the desired taste and texture.
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What You'll Learn
The order of toppings is critical to avoid sogginess
The traditional order of toppings, sauce, cheese, and then any additional toppings, is designed to create a balance of flavours and textures. This order allows the cheese to bubble and brown, and the toppings to get direct heat and become crisp. Putting the sauce down first also helps to create a waterproof barrier, preventing the dough from becoming soggy.
However, there are exceptions to this order, such as the Sicilian pizza, which puts cheese directly on the dough before adding the sauce. This method helps to prevent the thick, bread-like dough from becoming soggy. Additionally, some toppings, such as spinach or fresh herbs, should go under the cheese to prevent them from drying out in the oven.
One of the most important considerations when layering toppings is the moisture content of the ingredients. If you cover your toppings with cheese, the moisture will get trapped, leading to a soggy pizza. This is especially true for ingredients like mushrooms, vegetables, and fruits, which have a high water content. By placing these toppings on top of the cheese, you allow the moisture to evaporate, resulting in a crispier pizza.
To avoid sogginess, it's also essential to consider the amount of each topping you use. Overloading your pizza with too many toppings can lead to a longer cooking time, resulting in a soggy crust and undercooked toppings. Limiting the number of toppings and balancing their salt, fat, and moisture content will help ensure a crisp and flavourful pizza.
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The Sicilian pizza style puts cheese first
Sicilian-style pizza typically involves placing cheese directly on the thick pizza crust before adding the sauce on top. This style, also known as the "upside-down Sicilian" or "upside-down" assembly method, is thought to prevent the crust from becoming soggy by creating a barrier between the dough and the sauce. It is particularly useful when using wet sauces that can soak into the dough, such as tomato-based sauces.
The Sicilian pizza style is characterised by a thick, crunchy, and airy crust, similar to focaccia bread. The dough is baked in an oiled pan, resulting in a golden-brown, crisp, and almost fried texture on the underside. This thick crust can better support the weight of the sauce, cheese, and toppings without becoming soggy when the cheese is placed first.
When preparing a Sicilian-style pizza, the cheese is placed directly on the crust, followed by the sauce, and then any desired toppings. This order of assembly ensures that the crust cooks evenly and prevents it from becoming soggy. The sauce, typically a sweet and spicy tomato-based sauce, is then able to adequately cover the cheese and any additional toppings.
The type of cheese used in a Sicilian-style pizza can vary. Some recipes call for low-moisture, aged mozzarella cheese, while others suggest a combination of cheeses, such as mozzarella, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pecorino. Grating the cheese yourself is recommended, as pre-grated cheese may not melt as nicely.
While the order of assembly for a Sicilian-style pizza typically involves placing the cheese first, there may be variations depending on the specific recipe and region. Some recipes might call for a different order of assembly or the inclusion of additional ingredients, such as vegetables, meats, or herbs.
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The North American style uses more cheese
The order in which you layer the ingredients on a pizza is a hotly debated topic. The right order is critical to avoid undercooked or mushy cheese or other ingredients, which would detract from the flavour, appearance, and texture of your pizza. The order of ingredients also varies by country and by simple preference.
In North America, most pizza places put cheese underneath toppings, unless the customer requests "extra cheese". In that case, all the cheese is loaded on top of all the toppings. This evolved because people like to see the cheese, especially when they ask for and pay for more of it. Many places simply rearrange the layers and put all the cheese on top, so it looks like there's more.
North American-style pizzas are known to have more cheese than Italian-style pizzas. Italian-style pizzas have one-half to one-third of the amount of cheese that North American pizzas have. It is common for Italian-style pizzas to have sauce and crust not covered by a full "edge-to-edge" layer of cheese. Instead, the cheese is sparsely spread out, allowing the sauce and even bare crust to be seen in spots.
When making a pizza, it is much easier to spread the liquid tomato sauce on a blank pizza base rather than spread it evenly over cheese and toppings. This allows for a nice even layer of tomato sauce. The main problem with adding wet tomato sauce directly onto the pizza dough is that it can make the pizza base soggy. The dough will absorb water and become less crisp in the oven. To avoid this, you can make a waterproof barrier by using sliced cheese on the base first. On top of this, you put your layer of tomato sauce and then toppings.
If you want to avoid mushy toppings, keep them on top of the cheese so they can cook and crisp in the oven. If you put pepperoni under the cheese, you may have some soggy pepperoni on your pizza. However, if you want to avoid drying out certain toppings, such as spinach and fresh herbs, you can put them under the cheese.
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The Italian style sparsely spreads cheese
When it comes to the Italian style of pizza-making, the sparse spread of cheese is a defining characteristic. This technique is rooted in the belief that the cheese should complement, not overpower, the other ingredients. By using a light hand with the cheese, the Italian style of pizza emphasizes the harmonious blend of flavors and allows each ingredient to shine.
To achieve this sparse spread, the cheese is delicately distributed across the pizza dough, creating a thin and even layer. This technique ensures that the cheese melts uniformly and doesn't overwhelm the other toppings. The key is to aim for a sparse yet strategic placement, allowing the cheese to act as a flavorful binder that brings the pizza together without dominating the taste.
The Italian style sparse spread of cheese also has practical benefits. By using less cheese, the pizza maintains a lighter and airier texture. This approach prevents the pizza from becoming overly greasy or heavy, ensuring a more enjoyable dining experience. It also allows the natural flavors of the dough, sauce, and toppings to come through, creating a well-balanced and nuanced dish.
When crafting an Italian-style pizza with a sparse cheese spread, it's essential to consider the type of cheese used. Traditional options include fresh mozzarella, which is known for its delicate flavor and melting properties, or a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan, adding a subtle sharpness. Using high-quality cheese is crucial, ensuring that even with a sparse spread, the flavor of the cheese still shines through.
Creating an authentic Italian-style pizza with a sparse cheese spread is an art that requires precision and attention to detail. It's a testament to the Italian philosophy of celebrating simple, fresh ingredients and letting their natural flavors take center stage. By following this style, pizza makers can craft a delicious and elegant pizza that showcases the beauty of simplicity and balance.
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Some toppings should be added after baking
The order of toppings is critical to avoid undercooked or mushy ingredients, which would detract from the flavour, appearance, and texture of your pizza. To avoid this and preserve the flavour and appeal of your ingredients, it’s best to get them in the right order.
Similarly, pepperoni placed under the cheese will become soggy, but when layered on top, it crisps up, and the edges curl, enhancing the slight smokiness and accenting the hints of pepper in the meat. This technique also applies to dry-cured pepperoni, which can be baked under layers of cheese to achieve a similar taste to that straight out of the make line.
The placement of cheese, whether on top or underneath the toppings, also plays a role in the final product. In North America, most pizza places put cheese underneath toppings unless the customer requests "extra cheese," in which case the cheese is loaded on top. This practice evolved because customers like to see the cheese, especially when they ask for and pay for more. However, some pizzas, such as Sicilian-style pizzas, traditionally put the cheese directly on the dough first, followed by the sauce, to prevent the thick dough from becoming soggy.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to layer pepperoni and cheese on a pizza is to put the pepperoni on top of the cheese. This is because the high heat of the oven will cause the pepperoni to crisp up and its edges to curl. It will also enhance the slight smokiness and peppery hints in the meat.
If you put cheese on top of pepperoni, the cheese will trap the moisture from the pepperoni and the pepperoni will become soggy.
One factor to consider is the type of pizza you are making. For example, Sicilian-style pizzas typically have the cheese put on first, directly on the pizza crust, followed by the sauce. Another factor is the amount of cheese used. In North America, it is common to sparsely spread the cheese across the pizza, allowing the sauce and crust to be visible. However, if a customer requests "extra cheese", the cheese is loaded on top of all the toppings.
