Frederic Melton
There is much debate over what to call a pizza with no cheese. Some people would argue that pizza without cheese isn't pizza at all. However, the original pizza, created in Naples in the 18th century, did not contain any cheese. It was only topped with tomatoes, which were believed to be poisonous when they were first brought to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century. The oldest pizza served in pizzerias, the Marinara, also does not contain any cheese. It is topped with tomato, oregano, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and basil.
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What You'll Learn
Is pizza without cheese really pizza?
The definition of pizza without cheese is a topic that has been widely debated, especially in the United States. The question of whether a pizza without cheese can still be considered a pizza brings up several existential questions. For instance, if you say "cheese" when ordering, is that redundant? Will saying plain imply that you believe a pizza is incomplete without toppings?
In Italy, the crust, sauce, and fresh ingredients are the stars of the show, with cheese playing a supporting role. In fact, some of the most authentic and beloved Italian pizzas, such as Pizza Marinara, are cheese-less. Pizza Marinara features a combination of tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, and olive oil, creating a rich and savory flavor profile that stands on its own. This differs significantly from American-style pizza, where heavy layers of cheese often take center stage.
In the United States, there is a divide over how to refer to a pizza with no cheese. In New York, the debate revolves around the term "plain vs. cheese", primarily concerning New York-style pizza, which features a thin, chewy crust, baked with low-moisture cheese, and a bold tomato sauce. However, this style is not the only one available across the country, with variations like Chicago deep dish, Detroit-style, and Sicilian pizza also being popular.
Ultimately, there is no wrong answer to the question of what to call a pizza without cheese. In Rome, a pizza with tomato sauce and cheese is called a Margherita, while the addition of basil to this combination is corrected to "pizza con la mozzarella." At the same time, a pizza without toppings is referred to as "pizza bianca" or "white pizza."
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What is a traditional pizza?
Pizza is an Italian dish, specifically from Naples, that typically consists of a flat base of leavened wheat-based dough, topped with tomato, cheese, and other ingredients. Baked at a high temperature, traditionally in a wood-fired oven, pizza has been popular since the 16th century and was considered a peasant meal or 'poor food' by wealthy Italian locals of Naples. In the 1880s, pizza was sold by street vendors and in small, unpopular restaurants.
The term 'pizza' was first recorded in 997 AD in a Latin manuscript from the southern Italian town of Gaeta, in Lazio, on the border with Campania. Raffaele Esposito is often credited with creating the modern pizza in Naples. In 2009, Neapolitan pizza was registered with the European Union as a traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG) dish. In 2017, the art of making Neapolitan pizza was included on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.
The bottom of the pizza, called the "crust", may vary from thin, as in a typical hand-tossed Neapolitan pizza, to thick, as in a deep-dish Chicago-style pizza. It is traditionally plain but may be seasoned with garlic or herbs, or stuffed with cheese. The outer edge of the pizza is sometimes referred to as the cornicione. Some pizza dough contains sugar, which helps the yeast rise and enhances the browning of the crust.
Mozzarella is the most common type of cheese used on pizza, especially buffalo mozzarella produced in the surroundings of Naples. Other cheeses used include burrata, Gorgonzola, provolone, pecorino romano, ricotta, and scamorza. Less expensive processed cheeses or cheese analogues have been developed for mass-market pizzas to produce desirable qualities such as browning, melting, stretchiness, and stable shelf life.
When it comes to toppings, authentic Italian pizzas are hearty, flavorful, and savory. Small discs of thinly sliced pepperoni are not typically found on the menu at an authentic Italian pizzeria. Instead, you might find prosciutto, large chunks of mozzarella, a variety of hand-picked herbs and greens such as rosemary, basil, arugula, and capers. Eggplant, garlic, and green peppers are also popular choices for toppings in Italy.
In terms of preparation, pizza can be baked in a variety of ovens, including wood or coal-fired brick ovens, fire brick ovens, electric deck ovens, and conveyor belt ovens. The pizza is typically slid into the oven on a long paddle called a "peel" and baked directly on hot bricks, a screen, or the oven surface. Before use, a peel is usually sprinkled with cornmeal to allow the pizza to slide on and off easily.
While pizza has evolved to fit the tastes and styles of pizza lovers worldwide, Neapolitan pizza remains the traditional style, with its thin, chewy crust, bold tomato sauce, and low-moisture cheese.
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What are some no-cheese pizza recipes?
There are several no-cheese pizza recipes that you can try. Firstly, it's worth noting that the oldest pizza served in pizzerias, the Marinara, does not contain any cheese. It features a topping of tomato, oregano, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and basil.
If you're looking for a dough-based pizza without cheese, you can try a no-cheese pizza recipe that uses wheat flour, baking powder, and baking soda. This recipe is ideal if you're short on cheese or don't have an oven, as it can be made on a tawa. You can replace the cheese with a white sauce made from wheat flour and milk, or use the traditional white sauce made with plain flour. It's important to knead the dough well to activate the gluten and achieve the right texture. Let the dough rest for at least 2 hours before shaping it. You can add any toppings you like, but colourful vegetables are recommended to make it more attractive.
Another option is to make a no-knead pizza dough. To make this, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small cup, stirring until dissolved. After about 5 minutes, when the yeast is activated, combine the yeast mixture with flour in a large mixing bowl, gradually adding water and kneading until you have a smooth, pliable dough. Be careful not to make the dough too sticky by adding too much water.
In Rome, a pizza with tomato sauce and cheese is called a Margherita, but only if it has basil. Without basil, it's called 'pizza con la mozzarella'.
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What do people in different places call pizza without cheese?
There are many different names for a pizza without cheese, depending on the region and the specific characteristics of the pizza in question.
In New York, for instance, there is a debate between calling a pizza with no toppings "plain" or "cheese". This is primarily discussed in the context of New York-style pizza, which typically has a thin, chewy crust, low-moisture cheese, and a bold tomato sauce. However, other styles like Chicago deep dish, Detroit-style, and Sicilian pizza also have their own distinct characteristics.
In Rome, Italy, a pizza with tomato sauce and cheese is called a Margherita, especially if it includes basil. If it lacks basil and thus is not technically a Margherita, it can be called 'pizza con la mozzarella' since there is no tradition of just mozzarella baked alone on dough, implying that there is sauce. Additionally, the term "pizza bianca" or "white pizza" can be used to refer to a pizza without toppings, distinguishing it from a plain or cheese pizza.
In Philadelphia, Rhode Island, and Utica, NY, a similar dish called "tomato pie" is made with bread dough instead of pizza dough and may or may not include cheese, depending on the recipe.
Finally, the oldest type of pizza without cheese is the Pizza Marinara, which is a Neapolitan pizza seasoned with tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, oregano, and garlic. It is supposedly the oldest tomato-topped pizza, dating back to around 1735, and was commonly ordered by poor sailors due to its use of easily preservable ingredients.
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What are some substitutes for cheese on pizza?
There are several substitutes for cheese on pizza, and the best option for you will depend on your dietary preferences and what qualities you value in cheese.
If you are vegan or simply looking for a cheese alternative, you can opt for vegan cheese substitutes, which are typically made from plant-based ingredients like cashews. While some of these substitutes melt and stretch like cheese, others have a unique texture and appearance. For example, Miyoko's Liquid Mozzarella is a cashew-based cheese alternative that solidifies into a solid form when baked, resulting in a mild cheesy flavor without the typical stretchiness of mozzarella.
If you are open to dairy, a béchamel sauce can be used as a substitute for cheese on pizza. Alternatively, whisked eggs with salt and black pepper can be used as a topping to hold the ingredients in place. This combination was once a common substitute for cheese on pizza in certain regions due to the high cost of cheese.
Another option is to use ricotta, which, while technically a cheese, has a very different texture and taste compared to traditional pizza cheeses. It can help toppings adhere to the pizza and can be used without tomato sauce, paired with green vegetables.
Finally, you can focus on creating a thicker sauce with corn starch to help bind the toppings to the pizza, ensuring that they don't fall off or overcook.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several names for pizza with no cheese, including pizza bianca (white pizza), pizza Marinara, and tomato pie.
A pizza Marinara is seasoned with tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, oregano, garlic, and usually basil.
The pizza Marinara is supposedly the oldest tomato-topped pizza, introduced around 1735. It was commonly ordered by poor sailors and made on their ships due to its easily preservable ingredients.
A tomato pie is made with bread dough instead of pizza dough and can be found in Philadelphia, Rhode Island, and Utica, NY.
To make pizza with no cheese, you can follow a similar process to making regular pizza dough. However, instead of adding cheese, you can add toppings such as tomato sauce, dried basil, aubergines, mushrooms, olives, pineapple, red onion, and tomato puree.
