Andy Montoya
New York-style pizza is famous for its thin, chewy crust and generous amounts of cheese. The cheese used is typically mozzarella, specifically a dry, low-moisture variety, which is grated and sprinkled on top of the sauce. This type of mozzarella is known for its stretchy, gooey texture and salty, tangy flavour. While full-fat mozzarella is preferred for its superior stretch, part-skim mozzarella can also be used, although it may result in a greasier pizza. For vegans, dairy-free mozzarella made from ingredients like rice starch, cashews, and chickpeas can be a suitable alternative.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Crust | Thin, chewy, crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside |
| Dough | Bread flour, sugar, yeast, salt, water, olive oil |
| Sauce | Tomato-based, sweet and tangy, butter, olive oil, whole tomatoes, dried oregano, onions |
| Cheese | Mozzarella, full-fat, dry, stretchy, salty, tangy, grated |
| Cheese alternatives | Vegan cheese, rice starch, cashews, chickpeas |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella is the best cheese for New York-style pizza
New York-style pizza is one of the most popular styles of pizza. It features a thin, chewy crust, a tangy tomato-based sauce, and a generous amount of cheese. The cheese is what sets New York-style pizza apart from other varieties. While you can use different types of cheese, Mozzarella is the best option for several reasons.
First and foremost, Mozzarella is the traditional cheese used in New York-style pizza. It is known for its stretchy, gooey texture when melted, making it perfect for creating that classic, stringy cheese pull that is synonymous with New York-style pizza. This stretchy effect is achieved by using full-fat, dry Mozzarella cheese. The low-moisture content of the cheese also helps prevent the pizza from becoming soggy, resulting in a crisp and chewy crust.
Mozzarella's mild and creamy flavour complements the tangy sauce without overwhelming it. The cheese is grated and sprinkled on top of the sauce, creating a loose matrix as it melts. This allows the molten cheese to mingle with the sauce, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavours and textures. The high heat of the oven browns the cheese slightly, adding a layer of complexity to the overall taste and appearance of the pizza.
While part-skim Mozzarella is sometimes used, it tends to be greasier and may not provide the same stretchiness as full-fat Mozzarella. To avoid this issue, some people opt for a blend of cheeses, such as Mozzarella, provolone, and muenster, to balance the creaminess and stretch of the cheese. Additionally, freezing the cheese before baking can help reduce greasiness and improve the overall texture.
For vegans or those with dietary restrictions, vegan Mozzarella cheese is a suitable alternative. It produces the same stretchy effect as regular Mozzarella and does not have the dry and waxy texture commonly associated with other types of vegan cheese.
In conclusion, Mozzarella is the ideal cheese for New York-style pizza due to its stretchy texture, mild flavour, and ability to melt seamlessly into the sauce. Its versatility, whether used alone or in a blend, and the option of vegan varieties, make it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of palates.
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Full-fat mozzarella is required for the signature stretchy effect
New York-style pizza is known for its generous amounts of cheese. The cheese used is typically mozzarella, specifically full-fat, low-moisture mozzarella. This is because full-fat mozzarella has the signature stretchy effect desired in New York-style pizza.
Mozzarella is the best stretchy cheese for pizza, and its stretchy, gooey quality is a defining feature of New York-style pizza. The stretchy, gooey cheese blends with the sauce underneath, creating a mottled mix of brown, red, and white. This effect cannot be achieved with low-fat or part-skim mozzarella, which does not stretch in the same way.
The mozzarella used in New York-style pizza is dry, unlike the fresh mozzarella used in Neapolitan pizza. It is also typically grated in-house, rather than purchased pre-shredded, as pre-shredded cheese is coated with starch to prevent clumping, which can prevent it from melting properly.
Some people also add other types of cheese to their New York-style pizza, such as provolone and muenster, for a different flavor. Vegan cheese options are also available, with vegan mozzarella made from ingredients like rice starch, cashews, and chickpeas, which can provide a similar stretchy effect to regular mozzarella.
The large volume of cheese on a New York-style pizza is balanced by the thin, chewy crust, which makes it easy to fold a slice in half for a mess-free meal. This combination of stretchy cheese and foldable crust is part of what makes New York-style pizza so unique and popular.
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Dry, grated mozzarella is used instead of fresh
New York-style pizza is known for its thin, chewy crust and generous amounts of cheese. While the type of cheese used can vary, dry, grated mozzarella is the traditional choice. This is in contrast to Neapolitan pizzas, which typically use fresh mozzarella.
Using dry mozzarella instead of fresh has several benefits for New York-style pizza. Firstly, it helps to prevent the pizza from becoming soggy. Fresh mozzarella has a higher water content, which can lead to a soggy pizza, especially when paired with the thin crust of a New York-style pizza. Dry mozzarella, on the other hand, has been aged longer and has a lower water content, resulting in a crispier, less greasy pizza.
Another advantage of using dry, grated mozzarella is that it melts better and creates a stretchy, gooey texture that is characteristic of New York-style pizza. The high heat of a pizza oven can cause fresh mozzarella to over-brown and burn before the crust is fully cooked. Grating dry mozzarella and freezing it before adding it to the pizza can help to slow down its melting and browning process, allowing it to cook more evenly with the crust.
Additionally, using whole milk or part-skim dry mozzarella is recommended, as it contributes to the desired stretchy texture. Low-fat or part-skim mozzarella may not stretch as well, resulting in a less gooey and chewy pizza.
While dry, grated mozzarella is the traditional choice for New York-style pizza, it is important to note that there are also vegan alternatives available. Vegan mozzarella, made from ingredients like rice starch, cashews, and chickpeas, can provide a similar stretchy effect without the use of dairy.
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Vegan cheese is an option for dairy-free and vegan diets
New York-style pizza is known for its thin, chewy crust and generous amount of cheese. The cheese of choice for this style is typically mozzarella, specifically a full-fat, low-moisture variety that is grated in-house. This type of mozzarella delivers the ideal stretchy, melty texture and a tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce.
However, for those who follow a vegan or dairy-free diet, traditional mozzarella is not an option. Fortunately, vegan cheese has gained popularity, and there are now numerous dairy-free cheese alternatives available. These vegan cheeses are crafted from various plant-based ingredients, including nuts, soy, seeds, and root vegetables, and they come in a wide array of styles and flavors.
One of the best vegan cheese options for New York-style pizza is dairy-free mozzarella. This variety, made with ingredients like rice starch, cashews, and chickpeas, offers the same stretchy, gooey texture as its dairy counterpart without the grease. It blends seamlessly with the sauce, creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures that define New York-style pizza.
Vegan cheese can be purchased commercially or made at home using recipes readily available online. When choosing a vegan cheese, it is essential to consider the ingredients and processing methods. Minimally processed options made with whole foods tend to be more nutritious, offering fiber, healthy fats, and vital micronutrients. However, it is important to remember that vegan cheese, like any single food, should not be the sole source of nutrition in one's diet. It should be consumed in moderation as part of a well-balanced, diverse diet to ensure optimal nutritional intake.
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Other cheeses like provolone and muenster can be added
New York-style pizza is known for its thin, chewy crust, sweet and tangy sauce, and generous amounts of gooey cheese. While mozzarella is the traditional cheese used in New York-style pizza, other cheeses like provolone and muenster can be added to enhance the flavour and texture.
Mozzarella is the classic choice for New York-style pizza, but full-fat mozzarella is essential to achieve the desired stretchy, gooey texture. Part-skim or low-fat mozzarella can make the pizza greasy, and it doesn't stretch as well. To avoid a soggy pizza, some pizza makers recommend using low-moisture mozzarella, which has been aged longer and has a lower water content. This type of mozzarella also melts well and has a salty, tangy flavour.
When it comes to preparing the mozzarella for New York-style pizza, it's important to grate it yourself instead of using pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with starch to prevent clumping, which can interfere with melting. Freezing the grated cheese before adding it to the pizza can also help slow down its melting and prevent over-browning.
While mozzarella is the star cheese on New York-style pizza, some pizza enthusiasts experiment with additional cheeses. Provolone, known for its stretchy, sweet, and creamy texture, can be added for a different flavour profile. Muenster cheese is also a popular choice, known for its smooth, creamy texture. Combining these cheeses with mozzarella can create a unique blend of flavours and textures.
For vegans and vegetarians, there are vegan cheese options that mimic the stretchy, gooey qualities of traditional mozzarella. These vegan cheeses are typically made with ingredients like rice starch, cashews, and chickpeas, providing a satisfying cheese experience without dairy.
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Frequently asked questions
The cheese traditionally used on a New York-style pizza is mozzarella. It is usually dry, grated, and full-fat to achieve the desired stretchy effect.
Low-fat or part-skim mozzarella cheese should be avoided as they do not stretch as well as full-fat mozzarella.
Yes, there are many vegan cheese options available for New York-style pizzas. The best option is a dairy-free mozzarella cheese made from ingredients such as rice starch, cashews, and chickpeas.
