What’s not to like? Seriously. Have you ever met anyone who didn’t like pizza? This humble dish has been around for centuries. That’s right: centuries mate. And not just in Italy – in ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt flatbread with toppings were all the rage. Simple, quick food. It’s said that soldiers of Darius the Great (521-486 B.C.) baked a kind of flat bread on their shields and covered it with cheese and dates.
A little later the ancient Romans got in on the action, topping their flat, round dough with olive oil, herbs and honey. This ancient version of pizza had a bit of a makeover in the 16th Century after tomatoes made their way to Europe from Latin America.
In Naples in the 1700s, street food for the poor consisted of flatbread with different toppings like tomatoes, cheese, oil, garlic and anchovies.
So where did the Magherita pizza get its name? King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples in 1889. According to urban legend they were bored as batshit with their usual diet of fancy French food and requested a selection of pizzas. The queen took a shine to a pizza topped with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, and from then on this combo was called the Margherita.
While pizza was huge in Naples the rest of the world was pretty slow to catch on until Italian immigrants travelled to the United States and started tossing pizza dough in their new home. In the late 19th and 20th Century pizzerias began opening in Brooklyn and the Bronx in New York.
From there the rest really is history. Pizza’s popularity grew, not just across the United States, but to over 60 countries around the world. These days you can find those delicious traditional recipes alongside gourmet combinations of awesomeness.
At Delivery Hero we have a soft-spot for pizza and we’re stoked that we can share the best places with you!
Here are a few of our top tips:
Red Horn Pizza in Rockdale has been rocking the region with their mind-blowing gourmet pizzas for years. Try the Mediterranean lamb pizza with slow roasted marinated lamb, fresh capsicum, spanish onions, tomatoes, Feta, oregano, topped with mint yoghurt & wedge of lemon, on a garlic and olive oil base. Or how about the char-grilled eggplant pizza with mushrooms, Spanish onions, fire-roasted capsicum, baby spinach, Kalamata olives & brie topped with fresh herbs on their home style eggplant relish. Save room for a honey dessert pizza topped with fresh banana, grated orange zest sprinkled with icing sugar. That’s a party in your mouth.
For an entertaining pizza experience, head to Elvis Pizza in Rushcutters Bay. Let Elvis serenade you as you chow down on a Viva Las Vegas pizza with chicken breast, mushroom, capsicum, onion, BBQ sauce & cheese, or a Kentucky Rain pizza topped with tomato, bocconcini, roast pumpkin, potato & fresh rosemary. FYI: rumour has it their ribs are to die for.
Vinni’s Cafe Pizza & Pasta in Glenroy serves up those traditional classics like the aforementioned Margherita, Napolitana, Marinara and Cappricciosa. In addition to pizza, they also whip up a mean Carbonara pasta and Chicken Parmigiana. You know you’re in good hands because Mum’s the boss in this kitchen and this place is all about the love.
What crazy pizza toppings have you tried that totally work? or are you a hardcore traditionalist? Please send us your tips or give a shout out to your favourite pizza place!