Traditional pizza, such as Neapolitan pizza, always has tomato sauce. Nowadays, however, the aforementioned dish has undergone so many modifications since its inception that many new variants are still being created. This is evidenced, for example, by the creation of pizza bianca or pizza al pesto. In the case of the latter, the cake is topped with green pesto sauce instead of tomato sauce. It’s a fairly healthy alternative that has a lot of followers. Pesto is an Italian sauce made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. This solution appeals primarily to fans of intense flavors and aromas. To try different varieties of pizza, it is worth visiting pizzerias in Larnaca. The best pizza in Larnaca is our specialty.
Pizza al pesto and its origin
Each pizza was started with an authentic Neapolitan pizza. In 1889, Naples was visited by Margrethe II of Italy. It was then that the master chef Raffaele Esposito prepared a pizza for her referring to the colors of the Italian flag, which was later named pizza margherita in honor of the queen. Pesto Genovese, on the other hand, is a traditional Italian sauce, one of the most important ingredients of which is basil. The first recipe for pesto alla genovese also dates back to the 19th century. The record was found in “Vera Cuciniera Genovese”, a cookbook by Emanuele Rossi (1852). The homeland of pesto was Liguria – aromatic herbs added flavor to the miserable soups eaten by the poorer part of the Ligurians. It was they who created the pesto, which was disseminated by the crews of merchant ships and ship passengers who sailed from the port of Genoa to emigrate to the Americas. All due to the presence of garlic – a natural antibiotic. Some time later, with the creation of various modifications of Italian pizza, a variant containing pesto instead of the traditional tomato sauce was also created. To enjoy your favourite flavour in your own home, order an al pesto pizza or a Neapolitan pizza delivery.
Characteristics of pizza
A distinctive feature of al pesto pizza is simply the presence of pesto sauce instead of tomato sauce. In addition, it is distinguished by its thin dough, its obligatory ingredient is mozzarella, while other elements depend on the taste of a given person. Such pizza is considered a good alternative to the traditional counterpart among people who want to eat healthier. Pesto contains valuable nutrients. Basil improves digestion and stimulates the production of gastric juice, making it well tolerated by people with digestive problems as well. Pine nuts contain vitamin K, vitamin PP (B3) or vitamin E, as well as phosphorus and zinc. Parmesan cheese provides protein, while olive oil provides unsaturated fatty acids. Garlic, on the other hand, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. In addition, pizza with a pesto base has a distinctive, intense flavor. Of course, it may not be to everyone’s taste because of this, but it certainly stands out from traditional pizzas such as authentic Neapolitan pizza. When visiting pizzerias in Larnaca , you can find an option on the menu that will appeal to everyone. Those who prefer to enjoy the delicacy at home can order pizza al pesto or Neapolitan pizza delivery.
Ingredients & Preparation
The most important ingredient in al pesto pizza is pesto consisting of basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil and Parmesan cheese. When preparing pizza, you can use the sauce you buy or prepare it yourself at home. Other accessories are a matter of taste – there is a lot of freedom here. The dough is made from flour, water, yeast, salt and olive oil. You can put mozzarella, fresh or dried tomatoes, mushrooms, onion, arugula, basil on top and pour olive oil over the pizza. The first step is to sift the flour and pour water into it, add the yeast and let it sit for 10 minutes. After this time, salt and olive oil are added to the dough. Knead the whole thing for about 10 minutes until the dough is elastic and does not stick to your hands. The kneaded dough is covered with a cloth and left to rise for about an hour. They can then be kneaded again briefly. The finished dough should contain the spread of pesto and the other ingredients prepared. The pizza is then placed in an oven preheated to 220 degrees Celsius for 10-12 minutes. Once the pizza is out, you can sprinkle it with arugula, pour olive oil over it, cut it into pieces and serve. However, the best pizza in Larnaca is on our menu, so you don’t have to prepare the dish yourself – just visit our restaurant.
Neapolitan pizza is not the only noteworthy version of the popular dish. Most pizzas contain tomato sauce, which can be replaced with pesto sauce, for example. It is a healthy, aromatic and intensely flavored variant of pizza. There is a lot of freedom when it comes to toppings – it is worth visiting a pizzeria that uses high-quality ingredients, which will offer an appetizing composition.