CHICAGO PIZZA OR STUFFED BREAD
Analysis on the most-loved concoction in the wind city. Is it a pizza or a bread pie filled till no end, difficult to digest?
Flavors and Knowledge
{Deep-dish pizza Image attribution | © Brent Hofacker / Alamy Stock Photo}
Buongiorno amici:
In the everlasting rivalry between pizza, one that has created much discord is the Chicago pizza, also known as deep-dish pizza, which originated (you guessed it) in Chicago, Illinois. The folks in that state believe it is widely recognized and appreciated as one of the world’s most popular and unique pizza styles until you go to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. These four East Coast states will challenge anyone for the prestigious title.
I must admit that it was new to me when I arrived here from Italy. Still, it did have a widespread reputation for being thick, hearty, and delicious. Unfortunately, it looked similar to a heavy overstuffed basket of bread, with all types of ingredients, primarily off-balance. Cooking is about equilibrium!
So let’s explore its history, ingredients, and cultural significance and make some culinary sense to an otherwise heavy dish, loved by many, and followed by cult-like deep-dish fans.
History
Chicago Pizza can trace its roots back to the early 1900s when Italian immigrants began to settle in Chicago. These immigrants brought traditional pizza-making techniques from their homeland. Still, they adapted them to suit the tastes of their new American customers. The result was a thick, hearty pizza with a buttery crust piled high with toppings. The first pizzeria in Chicago was opened in 1905 by Italian immigrant Gennaro Lombardi. However, it was in the 1940s that the deep-dish pizza we know today began its journey to the American tables.
The credit for this invention goes to Pizzeria Uno, opened in 1943 by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo. Sewell and Riccardo wanted to create a pizza different from the thin, crispy pizzas that were popular then. So they devised a deep-dish pizza baked in a high-sided light steel perforated pan, allowing them to pile on the toppings without the pizza becoming soggy. The popularity of Chicago pizza continued to grow throughout the 1950s and 1960s, and today countless pizzerias in Chicago and around the country serve this familiar specialty.
The question that arises at all times is about the identification of authentic pizza versus the Chicagoan style. Is it a pizza or a tomato, cheese, and bread pie?
The ingredients are straightforward and mainly concentrate on the crust. Unlike traditional pizzas with a thin, crispy crust, Chicago Pizza has a thick, buttery crust, almost like a savory pie crust. Unfortunately, because the word pizza was never registered legally, we must call it pizza.
To make the thick crust, you will need all-purpose flour, yeast, water, butter, and cornmeal. After two hours of raising, expansion punched down for another hour and gently fitted into a deep, high-sided pan into the airy sponge-like dough. Finally, the sauce is topped with the cheese and baked in a hot oven for 30-40 minutes. A good friend in Chicago says whole peeled tomatoes are hand crushed and combined with marine salt, a dash of sugar, spices, oregano, and garlic powder. Finally, the sauce gets spooned over the crust with a generous amount of cheese.
Most pizzerias and restaurants rely on mozzarella as the cheese of choice. Still, other types of cheese, such as cheddar or provolone, appear on many of the menus. The vital aspect is melting, and you want a select a cheese that melts well with miniature burnt bubbles around the crust once heated. Chicago Pizza is known for its hearty toppings, which often include sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, and peppers. In addition, some pizzerias offer vegetarian options, such as spinach, artichokes, or roasted vegetables. There is a style for everyone and every palate.
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Cultural Significance
Chicago pizza has become an iconic symbol of Chicago culture. It is often considered a must-try dish for visitors to the city. It has also been featured in countless movies and TV shows, including the classic 1980 comedy “The Blues Brothers,” John Belushi famously declared, “I’ll have four whole fried chickens and a Coke, and some dry white toast…and five Chicago pizzas.” In addition to its cultural significance, Chicago pizza has become a source of pride for the city. Chicago-style pizza is so unique and beloved that it has inspired pizzerias worldwide to try to replicate it. However, true Chicagoans will tell you that there is nothing like the real thing.
What to remember!
Chicago Pizza is a delicious and iconic dish synonymous with Chicago. Its thick, buttery crust, hearty toppings, and generous cheese make it a favorite among pizza lovers. So whether you’re a Chicagoan or just visiting the city, trying a slice of authentic deep-dish pizza is an experience for you.
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