If you’ve been looking for the perfect pizza experience, then listen up. Artisan pizza is the answer to all of your pizza cravings. With its creative toppings, fresh ingredients and flavor combinations designed by experts, artisan pizzas offer something truly special that can satisfy even the most demanding foodies.
But what exactly is an artisan pizza? An artisan pizza is a type of pizza that is created using traditional methods and ingredients. Artisan pizzas typically use high-quality, locally sourced ingredients such as fresh vegetables, herbs and spices, as well as fresh dough made from wheat flour, water and salt.
The dough is usually hand-stretched to an optimal size with a low amount of yeast in order to give it its unique flavor.
When it comes time for the toppings, artisan pizzas focus on quality rather than quantity; fewer toppings are used which are carefully chosen for their complementary flavors.
Artisan pizza has become popular due to its emphasis on providing customers with a unique experience by breaking away from standard mass produced food products and allowing each individual customer to customize their meal according to their own tastes.
Not only does this result in delicious tasting food but also creates an atmosphere of personalization that can’t be found elsewhere.
The History of Artisan Pizza
The history of artisan pizza is rooted deep in the traditions of Italy. This style of cooking with wood-fired ovens has been popular since ancient Roman times and still used today.
Artisan Pizza made its first appearance in Naples, Italy, over 200 years ago by the man known as “The Father of Neapolitan Pizza” – Raffaele Esposito.
It was here that he mastered the traditional art form and began cooking pizzas for Italian royalty such as Queen Margherita and King Umberto I.
Esposito wanted to create a new type of pizza that was inspired by the Italian flag – a combination red tomatoes (representing red), white mozzarella cheese (representing white) and green basil leaves (representing green).
This iconic dish soon became known as “Pizza Margherita,” named after Queen Margherita herself. From there on out, it quickly spread to different parts of Europe including France, Germany, Greece and beyond.
Today’s artisan wood-fired pizzas are an ode to their historical predecessors, but with modern twists on flavors like truffle oil or smoked salmon.
The baking process is also greatly altered from earlier days too; these days cooks use carefully crafted doughs stuffed with fresh ingredients before they’re cooked at blazingly hot temperatures inside specialized ovens using natural hardwood such as oak or fruitwood like cherry or applewood chips for added flavor complexity.
As a result, you get thick yet crispy crusts complemented by fragrant toppings – all without sacrificing any flavor along the way.
So whether you go for classic Margherita or something more exotic like quattro formaggi — chances are you’ll be getting true authentic Italian-style artisan pizza each time.
Ingredients of an Artisan Pizza
Artisan pizza is made in the same way as its traditional counterpart; however, the ingredients used are often more complex and quality-driven. There are lots of unique combinations that can be made using high-quality ingredients.
The ingredients of an artisan pizza vary, depending on the style and technique used to produce it.
A classic Neapolitan pizza is thin crust, with simple toppings featuring a robust tomato sauce made from San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, olive oil and oregano.
This type of pizza is cooked in a wood-fired oven at high temperatures for only around one minute.
Most other variations of artisan pizzas include fresh seasonal ingredients that can be sourced locally, such as mushrooms, artichokes, olives or roasted peppers.
You might also find unusual combinations such as smoked salmon and dill or prosciutto with arugula.
Typically these pizzas are hand-stretched with light dusting of flour before being topped with fresh herbs like basil or oregano to really emphasize the flavours.
What makes them stand out from regular pizzas is their artful arrangement – by combining quality ingredients in interesting ways you can create something unique and delicious every time.
At its core though an artisan pizza involves focusing on quality over quantity:
- high-quality dough made from unbleached flour stretched by hand;
- ripe tomatoes picked at peak season;
- choice cuts of meat that make each bite juicy;
- cheeses ranging from soft ricotta to aged Parmesan;
- herbs like oregano and aromatic basil adding brightness
all combined together into that perfect crusty golden creation.
Different Types of Artisan Pizza
When it comes to artisan pizza, there are many different types to choose from – each offering unique flavors and unique toppings.
Here are some of the most popular types:
1) Neapolitan Pizza
This style originated in Naples and is probably one of the most recognizable forms of artisan pizza today. It’s characterized by having a thin crust that has a lightly charred edge and is typically topped with tomatoes, garlic, oregano, basil, mozzarella cheese or fior di latte (buffalo milk mozzarella).
It’s also traditionally cooked in a wood burning furnace at temperatures up to 915 degrees Fahrenheit.
2) Roman Pizza
Originated from Rome, this style differs slightly from Neapolitan by being slightly thicker crust as well as being baked directly on the bricks or floor of an oven for a crispier texture.
Toppings can range from simple options like olives or anchovies all the way up to more creative combinations such as potatoes with rosemary or artichokes with truffles.
3) Sicilian Pizza
Sicily brought us this thick street food style which features focaccia dough that’s deep fried then topped with tomato sauce before baking it in an electric oven filling it out nicely into its iconic square shape you’d find at any pizzeria today.
The topping choices vary but remain true to classic Italian cuisine such as eggplant parmesan & cannoli ricotta fillings.
When it comes to artisan pizza, the possibilities are truly endless. From incredibly inventive toppings and unique flavor combinations to inventive cooking techniques and classic pizza styles, there really is no right or wrong answer when it comes to what makes a true artisanal pie.
In fact, many chefs like to incorporate their own personal style into their creations, as they strive for something that is both delicious and uniquely theirs.
Artisan Pizza Toppings
Here is a list of 50 unique and interesting toppings that are used on artisan pizzas:
- Roasted garlic
- Caramelized onions
- Gorgonzola cheese
- Balsamic glaze
- Arugula
- Prosciutto
- Figs
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Artichokes
- Pesto
- Ricotta cheese
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Eggplant
- Anchovies
- Shaved parmesan
- Fried calamari
- Smoked salmon
- Goat cheese
- Grilled chicken
- Mascarpone cheese
- Barbecue sauce
- Zucchini
- Spicy sausage
- Olives
- Capers
- Roasted red peppers
- Avocado
- Jalapenos
- Peaches
- Pineapple
- Bacon
- Pulled pork
- Clams
- Mussels
- Shrimp
- Lobster
- Scallops
- Butternut squash
- Sweet potato
- Kale
- Brussels sprouts
- Spinach
- Beef brisket
- Ham
- Chicken alfredo
- Red sauce
- White sauce
- Pico de gallo
- Béchamel sauce
- Buffalo sauce
Unique Flavor Combinations for Artisan Pizzas
Here are some unique flavor combinations for artisan pizzas:
- Fig and Gorgonzola cheese
- Prosciutto and Arugula
- Caramelized onions, Roasted garlic and Balsamic glaze
- Ricotta cheese, Pesto and Sun-dried tomatoes
- Grilled chicken, BBQ sauce, and Pineapple
- Smoked salmon, Cream cheese, and Capers
- Mascarpone cheese, Honey, and Prosciutto
- Avocado, Jalapenos, and Sautéed mushrooms
- Sweet potato, Kale, and Bacon
- Brussels sprouts, Shaved parmesan, and Balsamic glaze
- Spinach, Feta cheese, and Olives
- Beef brisket, Red sauce, and Pickled jalapenos
- Ham, Pineapple, and Red sauce
- Lobster, Béchamel sauce, and Thyme
- Scallops, White wine sauce, and Leeks.
Conclusion
So next time you’re in the mood for pizza, don’t settle for anything less than the best.
Head to your nearest artisan pizzeria and enjoy a slice (or three) of heaven. With its unique flavor combinations and fresh ingredients, it’s an experience that you won’t soon forget.
Your taste buds will thank you.