The pizza is so versatile that it can be used as an appetizer or main course. And the variety of fillings allows you to satisfy even the most whimsical tastes. Despite the differences in cooking methods, there are general rules for eating this dish.
According to legend, pizza was invented in the 19th century in Naples. The baker Raffaele Esposito prepared it for King Umberto and Queen Margarita. To impress nobles, he made the filling in the colors of the national flag: green basil, white mozzarella and red tomatoes. The queen liked the dish so much that this pizza recipe was named after her Margarita.
Nowadays, pizza has become widespread all over the world. It is prepared in cafes, eateries and even at home. But nevertheless, you can taste real pizza only in her native Italy, in establishments where wood-burning ovens are used for cooking.
How to serve pizza
Pizza is an informal dish, so it is not at all necessary to use porcelain to serve it. Usually pizza is placed on a wooden round board or cardboard plate. Moreover, this style of presentation can be found even in world-famous pizzerias. When ordering pizza at home, you are allowed to eat it right out of the box.
According to Italian etiquette, pizza must be served very hot so that the melted cheese stretches in long strands. It is better to cut it with a rotating circular knife. This must be done very quickly, otherwise the cheese will stick to the blade and interfere with the process. Round pizza is divided into 6-8 segments, square pizza can be cut into rectangular pieces. In Italian restaurants, it is customary to order one pizza per person.
Pizza is served as a snack, combined with chips, chicken wings and fries. And as a main dish, complementing with light salads of vegetables and herbs. Pizza drinks are best combined with iced tea, juices, soda, beer and red wines. Those who drink this dish with milkshakes run the risk of bloating.
How to eat pizza
Italian etiquette requires eating pizza with a fork and knife. In most establishments, waiters bring a whole set of cutlery. Pizza is cut into portions, laid out on plates. Further, each piece is divided into smaller pieces that are convenient to place in your mouth. Americans are not worried about etiquette, so they often eat pizza with their hands. There is a widespread method of rolling pizza into a roll among residents. So you can eat it even on the go without cutting it into pieces.
Pizza is eaten starting from the sharp edge and working towards the crust. Some people leave the crusts uneaten because they don't taste good. However, in the right pizza, even the edges remain soft, baked and salty. The high-end pizzeria serves gravy as an addition so that diners can dip the leftover dough into it.
