Andy Montoya
Pizza is a beloved dish for many, but it is not typically considered a health food. However, some people seek ways to make it healthier, such as by using fat-free mozzarella cheese. While this may reduce the calorie count, it also affects the taste and texture of the pizza, making the cheese rubbery and less enjoyable. For those who prioritize the classic ooey-gooey, stretchy texture of melted mozzarella, fresh mozzarella offers a mellow richness and supreme stretchability. To avoid a watery pizza, it is recommended to use low-moisture mozzarella, slice the cheese instead of grating it, and dab the slices with a kitchen towel to remove excess moisture. Additionally, cooking at higher temperatures can help evaporate moisture. For those seeking a healthier option, a blend of mozzarella and provolone provides both stretch and flavor, and other cheeses like cheddar, fontina, and gouda can be considered for their flavors and meltability. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference, as some may opt for the real deal and indulge in the full flavor and texture experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Mozzarella, Provolone, Cheddar, Parmesan, Romano, Fontina, Gouda, Jack, Muenster |
| Dough | Enriched Unbleached Wheat Flour, Water, Palm Oil, Sugar, Salt, Enriched Semolina Flour, Yeast, Garlic Powder, Dough Conditioner |
| Toppings | Pepperoni, Spicy Sausage, Hot Peppers, Mushrooms, Bell Peppers, Black Olives, Onions, Meat |
| Calories | 941 |
| Protein | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 31% |
| Fat | 54% |
| Alcohol | 0% |
| Avoiding Watery Pizza | Use low-moisture mozzarella, slice cheese instead of grating, dab cheese with a kitchen towel, use thin slices, use a high oven temperature |
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What You'll Learn
Using low-moisture mozzarella to prevent a watery pizza
Fresh mozzarella is soft and creamy with a milky flavour, but it contains a lot of water, which can make your pizza watery and soggy. Fresh mozzarella holds at least 52% water, while low-moisture mozzarella has a moisture content in the range of 45% to 52%. Low-moisture mozzarella is also denser and saltier than fresh mozzarella.
Low-moisture mozzarella is the cheese of choice for most pizza styles in the U.S., including New York-style, Greek-style, bar pies, New Haven apizza, and Chicago deep-dish pies. It has a much longer shelf life than fresh mozzarella, which is best the day it's made and tends to develop off-flavours within a few days. Low-moisture mozzarella can last for weeks under refrigeration, making it cheaper and easier to transport and buy in bulk.
To prevent a watery pizza, you can use low-moisture mozzarella, which will stretch and melt without making your pizza soupy. If you want to use fresh mozzarella, you can take some steps to reduce its moisture content. First, look for a brand that isn't too wet. You can also set slices of fresh mozzarella on a paper or tea towel to absorb excess moisture for at least 15 minutes before adding it to your pizza. Thinly slicing the cheese will also help reduce moisture, but keep an eye on the oven as thinner slices will cook more quickly.
Another option is to gently heat slices of mozzarella in a saucepan to dehydrate them, but be careful not to ruin the flavour of the cheese. You can also cut the mozzarella into sticks rather than rounds to increase the surface area and allow more liquid to drain away.
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Holy Cow Shredded Mozzarella Cheese for convenience
How to Get Holy Mozzarella Cheese Pizza
To make a pizza with holy mozzarella cheese, you can use Holy Cow Shredded Mozzarella Cheese. This cheese is a great all-rounder that can be used in a variety of dishes, including pizza, paninis, and pasta bakes. It is made in Australia and comes in a convenient resealable bag, saving you time as it is already shredded.
Holy Cow Shredded Mozzarella Cheese is a fresh and mild-tasting cheese that will add a subtle cheesy flavour to your pizza. It is made from milk, salt, starter cultures, and enzymes, with added anti-caking agents and preservatives to keep it fresh. The cheese is also available in individual portion packs, making it even more convenient for those who want a quick and easy option for their pizza night.
If you're looking for a healthier option, you might consider using fat-free mozzarella cheese on your pizza. However, it's important to note that fat-free cheese doesn't function exactly like regular cheese. It may not melt as well, and the texture and taste may not be as desirable. Some people argue that it's better to stick to the real thing and enjoy your pizza as an indulgent treat.
For those who want a truly cheesy experience, you can also try Holy Moly's Margherita Cheese dip. This dip is perfect for pizza crusts and garlic bread, adding an extra layer of cheese and flavour to your meal. It's easy to prepare, as you simply heat it up in the microwave for a few minutes.
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Fat-free mozzarella for a healthier pizza
Fat-free mozzarella can be a healthier alternative to regular mozzarella for your pizza. Swapping regular mozzarella cheese with fat-free mozzarella cheese will result in an immediate 43% drop in caloric intake per quarter-cup/one-ounce/28-gram serving. For instance, an ordinary medium pepperoni pizza from Domino's, which is 1,750 calories, would have about 175 calories less with fat-free cheese, reducing the overall calorie count by 10%.
However, there are some drawbacks to using fat-free cheese. For one, it doesn't function the same as regular cheese. It is difficult to get fat-free cheese to melt, and even when it does melt, the texture is rubbery, and the taste is generally considered inferior. This is because the fat content in cheese is directly correlated with how well it melts. While low-moisture mozzarella is a good alternative for meltability, fat-free cheese contains no fat, which is why it doesn't melt well.
If you are looking to make your pizza healthier, fat-free cheese may be one way to reduce calories. However, it is important to note that the taste and texture of the cheese may be affected, and the reduction in calories may not be significant enough to justify the change, especially considering that 60% of a pizza's calories come from the crust.
Ultimately, if you are craving pizza, it may be better to enjoy it with regular cheese and focus on portion sizes or adding healthier toppings to balance the meal.
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Mozzarella and provolone cheese blend for optimal stretch and flavor
For pizza lovers who want to elevate their cheese game, a mozzarella and provolone blend is a perfect choice. This combination offers a subtle yet bold flavour profile and an amazing texture that will make your pizza stand out. The key to achieving optimal stretch and flavour lies in the balance of these two cheeses.
The mozzarella provolone mild blend from Grande Cheese is a perfect example of how these two cheeses can come together to create a delicious experience. Their blend combines the richness of Grande's Part Skim Mozzarella with their Provo-Nello Provolone, resulting in a shredded or diced cheese blend that is perfect for pizza. The 50/50 blend ensures that the cheese has an explosive flavour and a texture that is simply amazing.
The mild blend is an excellent choice for those who want a more subtle and savoury flavour profile. It adds just the right hint of boldness from the provolone, making it a versatile cheese that can be used daily yet stands out from the competition. This blend is a testament to the fact that sometimes, two cheeses are better than one!
Vern's Cheese in Wisconsin offers handcrafted cheeses, including their Grande Shredded Provolone and Mozzarella Cheese Blend. Their blend is also a 50/50 combination, showcasing the expertise of cheese artisans who hand-cut their cheeses to ensure the perfect blend and texture. With a blend like this, you get the best of both worlds, as the provolone adds a bold kick to the mild mozzarella, creating a flavourful and textured cheese that is perfect for pizza.
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Fresh mozzarella for its mellow richness and supreme stretchability
Fresh mozzarella is a popular choice for pizza due to its mellow richness and supreme stretchability. Its mild, milky flavour and soft, fresh texture make it a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. When melted, fresh mozzarella stretches into long, gooey strands that are perfect for pizza. This stretchiness is a result of the interaction between casein and whey proteins, which form a gel-like structure that enables the cheese to stretch without breaking. The mild acidity of fresh mozzarella also contributes to its stretchability.
While pre-shredded mozzarella is convenient, it often contains additives such as powdered cellulose and mold inhibitors, which can affect the taste and meltability of the cheese. For the best results, it is recommended to shred a block of fresh mozzarella yourself. This ensures a superior flavour and meltability compared to pre-shredded cheese.
Fresh milk mozzarella, packaged in plastic, has a rich, milky flavour that can elevate the taste of a pizza, making it seem more "artisan". Low-moisture whole-milk mozzarella, on the other hand, has a salty and tangy flavour, almost like salted butter. This variety also melts and stretches well, making it a good option for those who prefer a more pronounced cheese flavour on their pizza.
When choosing mozzarella for your pizza, it's important to consider the desired flavour and texture. Fresh mozzarella is mild and creamy, while low-moisture mozzarella is saltier and tangier. Both varieties have excellent meltability and stretchability, but each will contribute differently to the overall taste and experience of the pizza.
In conclusion, fresh mozzarella is an excellent choice for pizza due to its mellow richness and supreme stretchability. Its mild flavour and soft texture make it a versatile cheese, while its ability to stretch and melt gives pizza its signature gooey, stringy texture. Whether you choose fresh milk mozzarella or low-moisture mozzarella, shredding it yourself will ensure the best results for a holy mozzarella cheese pizza.
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Frequently asked questions
Mozzarella is the best cheese for pizza because of its ooey-gooey textural experience and its stretchability. However, other cheeses like provolone, cheddar, fontina, gouda, and muenster also offer nuanced flavors along with good meltability.
To make your pizza less watery, you can use "low moisture" mozzarella that is dry to the touch. You can also slice the cheese instead of grating it to reduce the amount of water that leeches out. Additionally, dabbing the cheese slices with a kitchen towel to remove surface moisture and using thinner slices can help reduce water content.
Fior di latte is a great alternative to mozzarella for pizza. It is lighter in texture, has a great flavor, and does not release too much water, helping to prevent a soggy pizza.
Holy Cow Shredded Mozzarella Cheese is a good option for store-bought pizza cheese. It is conveniently shredded and fresh, making it ideal for pizza, paninis, and pasta bakes.
The Screamin' Sicilian Pizza Co.'s Holy Pepperoni pizza features pepperoni, pizza sauce, mozzarella, and provolone cheeses wrapped in an artisan dough stromboli. It is a good option for those looking for a pizza with mozzarella cheese.
