One of the best things about making your own pizza is choosing the toppings. You can go for a traditional pizza like cheese or pepperoni, or you can go completely wild and try something you’ve never put on a pizza before.
Imagine all the different toppings you could put on a vegetarian pizza, for instance. Sure, you can use the typical zucchini, olives, mushrooms and onions, but why not try something a little different? Add some sliced beets, spring peas or small cubes of yellow squash. Roasted sweet potato might go well with some mushrooms and roasted garlic. Dare to be different!
With all the different types of pizza you can make, your choice of toppings is unlimited. Obviously a thin crust pizza would need toppings that are not in danger of sliding off, while a thick deep dish pizza could handle a wider variety of flavorful additions.
When you study history of pizza, you will see they started with a few of their favorite toppings. One of the first pizzas ever made featured basil, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Known as Pizza Marghareta, it was named in honor of Italian royalty. The ingredients were specially chosen because they had the same colors as the Italian flag. Pick a theme if you wish to make your next pizza.
Cheese lets you truly create a masterpiece. Don’t settle for a single variety. Mix many different cheeses to add depth as they melt together. For example, for a traditional pizza, you may enjoy the flavors of mozzarella, provolone, parmesan and smoked gouda. If you want to broaden your horizons, think about goat cheese or adding the unique flavor of a blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Stilton. Cheese will set off the flavors of other ingredients.
Why not try some nuts on your pizza? Crunchy almonds, peanuts, cashews and pine nuts can all add a new dimension to your average, everyday pizza. Think about the ingredients you’ve already chosen and choose nuts that complement them. For example, pecans may go well with a gourmet pizza featuring flavors from the American South.
Have you heard of dessert pizza? You can easily make a fruit pizza recipe using baked cookie dough for the crust. Top with cream cheese and your favorite fruit to make a delicious, refreshing summer treat. You can also add fruit to a traditional pizza. Pineapple, apple slices, peaches and many other fruits that bake well are excellent choices.
Meats and seafood also give you more leeway than you may think. Beyond pepperoni and sausage you can find a whole new world of turkey, venison, and duck. Borrow from another recipe and use buffalo chicken or chicken marsala to the top of your pizza. Try adding some tuna or oysters to a seafood pizza. Lobster, Cajun prawns or smoked salmon can also make an unusual choice for toppings. Pair them up with a compatible sauce or just drizzle a little olive oil or cheese on the crust. Don’t feel like you must follow all the traditional rules when you make a homemade pizza.