Kamil Perry
New York-style pizza is famous for its thin, chewy crust and generous layer of cheese. While there are many types of cheese available, mozzarella is the most popular choice for New York-style pizza. Unlike Neapolitan pizza, which uses fresh mozzarella, New York-style pizza uses dry, full-fat mozzarella, similar to the kind used in a meatball sub. This type of mozzarella is grated and sprinkled on the pizza, melting into the sauce to create a unique blend of brown, red, and white. For vegans, dairy-free mozzarella made from rice starch, cashews, or chickpeas can be used to create the same stretchy texture as regular mozzarella.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Mozzarella, Provolone, Muester, Vegan Cheese |
| Type of Mozzarella | Dry, Full-Fat, Low-Moisture |
| Preparation | Grated, Sprinkled, Shredded, Frozen |
| Crust | Thin, Chewy |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mozzarella is the best stretchy cheese for New York-style pizza
New York-style pizza is known for its thin, chewy crust and generous amount of cheese. When it comes to choosing the best stretchy cheese for this style of pizza, mozzarella stands out as the ideal choice. Here's why:
First and foremost, mozzarella is renowned for its stretchiness, making it perfect for the melting, gooey texture characteristic of New York-style pizza. Unlike Neapolitan pizza, which uses fresh mozzarella, New York-style pizza calls for dry mozzarella, similar to the cheese in a meatball sub. This dry mozzarella is grated and sprinkled over the pizza, ensuring an even distribution of cheese. When melted in the oven, the mozzarella forms a loose matrix, blending perfectly with the sauce underneath.
The high heat of the oven browns the mozzarella, creating a unique mix of brown, red, and white colours on the pizza surface. To achieve the best results, it is recommended to use full-fat mozzarella, as this contributes to the desired stretchiness and flavour. Low-moisture mozzarella, often found in grocery stores, is the type typically used in New York pizzerias. This variety melts more slowly, resulting in a gooier texture.
While part-skim mozzarella is an option, some pizza enthusiasts find it too greasy, and it may burn more easily. For this reason, whole milk mozzarella is generally preferred, as it provides a better balance of flavour and texture. Combining different types of mozzarella, such as low-moisture whole milk mozzarella with regular whole milk mozzarella, can also enhance the overall taste and stretchiness of the cheese.
In addition to traditional mozzarella, vegan mozzarella is a fantastic alternative for those following a plant-based diet. Vegan mozzarella made from ingredients like rice starch, cashews, and chickpeas offers the same stretchy, gooey texture as its dairy-based counterpart, allowing vegans to enjoy the classic New York-style pizza experience.
So, when crafting the perfect New York-style pizza, remember that mozzarella is the ideal stretchy cheese to use. Its unique melting properties, combined with its ability to blend seamlessly with the sauce, make it the star ingredient that defines this style of pizza.
The Ultimate Guide to Using Your Cheese Cutter Set
You may want to see also
Use full-fat mozzarella for authentic New York-style pizza
New York-style pizza is characterised by its thin, chewy crust and simple tomato-based sauce. But the star of the show is the cheese. While there are many types of cheese that can be used on a pizza, the best New York-style pizza cheese is full-fat mozzarella.
Mozzarella is a stretchy cheese that is perfect for grating and sprinkling on pizza. Unlike Neapolitan pizza, which uses fresh mozzarella, New York-style pizza uses dry mozzarella, similar to the kind used in a meatball sub. This type of mozzarella melts on the surface of the pizza when placed in the oven, mingling with the sauce underneath and browning under the high heat.
It's important to use full-fat mozzarella for an authentic New York-style pizza. While part-skim mozzarella can be used, it can be too greasy, and may burn more easily. For the best results, use whole milk, low-moisture mozzarella, grated and sprinkled on the pizza.
If you're making a vegan New York-style pizza, there are also dairy-free mozzarella options available that provide the same stretchy texture as regular mozzarella.
Cheese Options for Street Tacos
You may want to see also
Avoid pre-shredded mozzarella
When making a New York-style pizza, it is recommended to avoid using pre-shredded mozzarella. While it may be more convenient, pre-shredded mozzarella is coated with anti-caking agents and a small amount of cellulose to prevent clumping. This can interfere with the melting of the cheese and affect the overall texture and taste of your pizza.
Pre-shredded mozzarella is often made with low-moisture mozzarella, which is the typical type of mozzarella used in New York-style pizzerias. However, by shredding your own mozzarella at home, you can ensure that you are using full-fat, dry mozzarella, which is essential for achieving the desired stretch and melt in your pizza cheese.
Shredding your own mozzarella allows you to control the size and thickness of the shreds, which can impact the overall texture and coverage of your pizza. Larger shreds or cubes can result in a thicker layer of cheese, while smaller shreds can create a fluffier and stretchier layer. Additionally, shredding your own cheese allows you to avoid the anti-caking agents and cellulose found in pre-shredded cheese.
Freezing your shredded mozzarella before adding it to your pizza can also help improve the final result. By freezing the cheese, you slow down the release of milk fat, preventing greasiness and ensuring a mottled, browned crust without burning.
Overall, while pre-shredded mozzarella may be tempting for its convenience, shredding your own full-fat mozzarella and freezing it before use will result in a superior New York-style pizza with the perfect balance of stretch, melt, and browning.
Making Cheese: Sour Milk's Surprising Superpower
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Vegan mozzarella is a great option for vegans
Vegan mozzarella can be easily made at home, with some recipes calling for simple ingredients like tofu, rice vinegar, agave syrup, nutritional yeast flakes, tapioca starch, sea salt, vegetable oil, and water. This homemade vegan cheese can be stored in the freezer for a good few months and can be grated, melted, or baked onto pizzas.
For those who don't want to make their own, there are several vegan-friendly restaurants and pizzerias in New York City that offer vegan pizza options with plant-based cheese. These include Paulie Gee's, which offers eight different vegan pies, and Williamsburg Pizza, which has three locations serving thin-crust slices with plant-based options.
Vegan mozzarella is a versatile and delicious alternative that allows vegans to enjoy the iconic New York-style pizza experience without compromising their dietary choices. Whether homemade or store-bought, this plant-based cheese ensures that vegans can indulge in the cheesy, gooey goodness that defines New York pizza.
Velveeta Cheese Sauce Pouches: Easy, Delicious, and Versatile
You may want to see also
Provolone is a good alternative cheese
Mozzarella is the most popular cheese for New York-style pizza, but some pizza lovers find it too greasy. For those who want to avoid this issue, provolone is a good alternative cheese. Provolone is a stretchy, sweet, and creamy cheese that provides a great cheese pull. It can be used on its own or in combination with mozzarella and muenster.
Some people prefer to use a blend of provolone and mozzarella, as provolone adds a different flavor and a nice melt and chew to the pizza. Others use a combination of mozzarella, provolone, and muenster. While mozzarella is a minimum for a New York-style pizza, provolone can be a great addition or substitution.
Provolone is a good choice for those who want a cheese that melts well and provides a stretchy texture. It is also a good option for those who want to avoid the greasiness that can sometimes occur with mozzarella. By using provolone, pizza makers can achieve a similar taste and texture to New York-style pizza while adding their twist.
When making a New York-style pizza, it is essential to consider the type of mozzarella used. Part-skim mozzarella tends to be greasier and can burn more easily. Whole milk mozzarella is a better option for those who want to avoid this issue. However, even with whole milk mozzarella, some people still prefer to add provolone for its unique flavor and texture.
In addition to provolone, there are other cheeses that can be used in New York-style pizza. Parmesan, for example, is often shredded or shaved on top of freshly made pizzas. However, it is typically added after the pizza comes out of the oven, as its flavor does not hold up well at high temperatures. Ricotta is another cheese that can be used in combination with provolone for a unique flavor profile.
Pizza Hut's Cheesy Secret: What's on Their Pizzas?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The best cheese for a New York-style pizza is dry, full-fat mozzarella. This is the type of mozzarella you would get in a meatball sub. The cheese is grated and sprinkled on the pizza and melts on the surface of the pizza when placed in the pizza oven.
You should avoid pre-shredded mozzarella from the grocery store as it contains cornstarch which prevents even melting.
Provolone is a good alternative to mozzarella for its stretchy, sweet, and creamy goodness.
