What is Authentic Italian Pizza?

When you have some of the best pizza ovens for sale in the world, you receive many different questions about pizza. Of course, one of the most common inquiries we get is, “What is authentic Italian pizza?” That’s a great question, and there are actually many viable answers depending on the region of Italy you’re asking about. Perhaps the better question is, “What makes an authentic Neapolitan pizza?” This refers to pizza cooked in the same style as pizza in Naples, which is where pizza was first served in the 19th century.

So, here’s the answer: If you want to make an authentic Neapolitan pizza, the key is simplicity. A classic pizza napoletana is very, very simple: dough, of course; then, a basic tomato sauce made from tomatoes and olive oil that may be seasoned with a little oregano and salt; and finally, topped with sliced (not shredded) mozzarella cheese, with a few sprigs of basil. If that sounds familiar – maybe, like a style of pizza you are used to hearing by a different name – that’s because it is! This style of pizza is also referred to as the margherita, which is named for Queen Margherita who enjoyed it in 1889 after a local baker created a pizza for her in the colors of the Italian flag.

Of course, the thick-crusted Neapolitan pizza is not the only authentic pizza there is. In Rome, pizza is slightly different; Roman pizza has a much thinner crust, and is known for its crisper bite. Of course, both should only be prepared in wood fired pizza ovens – no exceptions! If these are made in conventional ovens, they shouldn’t be considered authentic. To create authentic Italian pizza, it all starts with selecting one of the best pizza ovens for sale in the world: the wood fired pizza ovens of Fontana Forni. Take a look at our wide variety of pizza ovens now!

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How We’re Keeping Up with Food Trends

In early 2013, Forbes magazine asked several restaurant chefs about their culinary predictions for the near future. Chef Scott Conant (owner of the establishments Scarpetta and Montage Beverly Hills) made a prediction that one of the hottest food trends to hit the scene over the next couple of years would be, “More wood grilling; things that are seemingly rustic and, in the right hands, really elevate the product.” Of course, as leading importers of wood burning ovens from Italy, we agree!

Plus, you would have to live under a rock to be unaware that indeed, Chef Scott’s prediction was correct. Wood grilling is definitely all the rage, both in the commercial culinary world and home cooking. Whether it’s on an open flame in a humble backyard BBQ or in a high performance wood burning oven like the ones we carry, grilling over wood is something that any cook can do to elevate the quality of a dish. But that’s not all Chef Scott had to say, and we agree with his next forecast as well.

It’s in regards to chefs exploring cooking alternatives for cutting down on costs. “One way to do it is to choose vegetables over really expensive cuts of meat,” he said. “Heirloom vegetables and original strains of vegetables—those are super interesting.” That’s also a great idea, considering that our wood burning ovens are the perfect vessel for cooking vegetables to perfection. The Fontana Forni Facebook page has some incredible photos that walk users through the process of cooking delicious vegetable dishes, including:

• Stuffed Tomatoes (Pomodori Ripieni)

• Roasted Beets

• Eggplant Towers (Torrette di Melanzane)

These are authentic Italian recipes that are bound to be chef-approved, and they will certainly delight your family as well – especially if you’re looking for healthy side dishes or meat alternatives to prepare in your wood burning oven from Fontana Forni.

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Can Kids Make Pizza?

Of course they can! Although our wood fired pizza ovens are only for adults to use, kids can certainly make pizza dough and create their own specially-topped pizzas that you can put into the oven for them. If you teach your kids to make pizza, take note of the following tips:

Always work on a clean surface. Kids need to know that countertops can gather germs very quickly – and that this is not safe for food preparation. Let them help you clean the countertops before beginning, so you can teach them a lesson about safe food prep right off the bat.

Wash your hands before and after handling dough. Washing hands before keeps germs off the pizza dough, and washing them after handling the dough ensures that they will be clean enough to put on toppings. This is another important food preparation lesson.

Don’t get too fancy. Often, kids want to toss pizza dough in the air; after all, they’ve seen it done on TV. But doing it with the dough for every pizza increases the risk of wasting your dough when it all falls on the floor. Rather than letting them toss the dough for every pizza you’re making together, make one small ball of “tossing dough” that’s just for fun. Then, set the rest aside to prepare more carefully.

Think outside the box. Sometimes, kids think about pizza toppings that adults have never imagined. Other times, they limit their chosen toppings to what they are used to in the pizzas your family buys. Making pizza together is the best time to introduce new, healthy pizza toppings to kinds. Show them how to use their imaginations constructively when making pizza; it’s a great teachable moment!

Once your pizzas are put together, make sure that children are standing back at a safe distance while you load each pizza into the oven. Whichever model of our wood fired pizza ovens you have chosen, the pizzas are bound to come out spectacular!

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Pairing Wines with Pizza: Which Ones Go Together?

Pizza and beer may go together like peanut butter and jelly, but while cooking a pizza outdoors in a wood burning pizza oven on a warm summer night, you may prefer to pour a glass or two of wine. So, how do you select the correct wine to go with your pizza? Here are some considerations to make.

Acidity: Tomatoes are acidic, so the more tomato sauce you have on your pizza will determine how much acid you want in your wine. Some people follow a “red with red” rule that dictates pairing tomato sauced pizzas with red wine, while others prefer a clean white with bright citrus notes that nearly matches the acidity of the tomatoes. Which one you choose may depend on how much acid your palette can handle.

Herbs: The more herbs you have on your pizza (basil, oregano or even cilantro), the more you will want a wine that is rich with tannins. Experts often recommend a medium-bodied red wine to complement the flavors of any heavily herbed dish, but if your pizza is flavored with pesto, that could also work well with a floral wine such as Chardonnay or Riesling.

Cream: Pizza with alfredo sauce (“white” pizza) is popular, but the smooth texture and understated taste of a cream-based sauce needs the right wine to bring out its flavor. When cooking up a white pizza in your wood burning pizza oven, try a wine that offers a little spice; anything that claims to have notes of cinnamon, pepper or clove could be a great way to zest up a creamy white pizza.

Spice: Of course, some pizzas have more than enough spice on their own. If yours has lots of pepperoni, sausage or salami, you need a full-bodied or even earthy wine to tamper down the spice and smooth out your palette. This could be red or white, but many wine experts lean towards red anytime you are pairing wine with red meats.

Vegetables: Lighter pizzas with vegetables like zucchini, broccoli, asparagus or artichokes deserve an equally light wine. They can be outstanding with a clean white or a rosé; just choose a wine that seems to reflect the lightness of the pizza you are cooking in your wood burning pizza oven.

Once you find a good pairing, you’ll be likely to choose pizza and wine over pizza and beer quite often! If this your first time using your wood burning pizza oven, it may be helpful to watch this demo before you begin.

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