International Inspiration: Exploring Unique Pizza Styles and How to Create Them with Canmac Pizza Ovens

Introduction:

Pizza is a beloved dish across continents, with unique regional variations and mouth-watering interpretations found in every corner of the globe. Pizzeria owners seeking to offer their customers an exciting and innovative menu are wise to draw inspiration from these international flavours and techniques, showcasing the versatility of their pizza ovens beyond the traditional Italian styles. By diversifying your menu and pairing your culinary creativity with your Canmac pizza oven's exceptional performance, you can elevate your pizzeria's reputation and satisfy even the most discerning palates.

In our comprehensive guide to international pizza styles, we'll take you on a culinary adventure through a curated selection of flavours and techniques from across the globe. This informative journey includes:

1. New York-style pizza: Learn the secrets behind creating the famously thin and foldable New York slice, examining the dough technique, sauce, cheese, and pizza oven settings required to achieve authentic results.
2. Roman Pizza al taglio: Explore the unique Roman 'by the cut' approach to pizza making, which features a thick and crispy crust with a diverse array of toppings.
3. Chicago deep-dish pizza: Delve into the world of Chicago's iconic deep-dish pizza, analysing the construction, baking time, and pizza oven adaptations necessary to create this indulgent, layered feast.
4. Turkish lahmacun: Introduce your customers to the flavours of the Middle East with lahmacun, a thin, crispy flatbread topped with spiced minced meat and vegetables.
5. Indian naan pizza: Draw inspiration from the Indian subcontinent by using naan bread as a pizza base, pairing it with vibrant toppings and traditional Indian flavours.

By incorporating these unique pizza styles into your pizzeria's menu and utilising your pizza oven's versatility, you can offer your customers a memorable slice of the world.

International Inspiration: Exploring Unique Pizza Styles and How to Create Them with Pizza Ovens

Pizza transcends borders, with each region offering its unique flavour and style that sets it apart from others. In this culinary journey, we will explore diverse international pizza styles, equipping you with the knowledge and techniques required to recreate them authentically using your pizza oven, diversifying your menu and captivating your customers.

New York-Style Pizza: The Empire State of Slice

New York City is synonymous with its distinct style of pizza – large, foldable slices with a perfect balance of sauce, cheese, and toppings. Here's what you need to know about creating this iconic pizza style:

1. Dough: The foundation of a New York-style pizza is a thin, yet sturdy crust. Use high-gluten flour and a slow fermentation process to develop a strong gluten network with a subtle, yeasty flavour.
2. Sauce: A well-seasoned tomato sauce with crushed tomatoes, garlic, and a touch of sugar creates the classic New York-style base.
3. Cheese: Low-moisture mozzarella is the go-to cheese for this style. Evenly distribute the cheese, ensuring ample coverage.
4. Pizza Oven Settings: A high temperature (about 260°C) and a baking time of 10-12 minutes result in a crispy, golden crust with bubbling cheese and cooked toppings.

Roman Pizza al Taglio: A Culinary Cut Above the Rest

This Roman creation, known as "pizza by the cut," offers a delightful thick and crispy crust with a wide array of flavourful toppings:

1. Dough: Use high-hydration dough (around 75% water to flour ratio) to achieve a light and airy interior with a crispy exterior. A long fermentation of up to 72 hours enhances the crust's flavour and texture.
2. Toppings: Romans love variety in their pizza al taglio – think classic Margherita, roasted vegetables, cured meats, or even potatoes. Toppings are often spread edge-to-edge.
3. Pizza Oven Settings: Bake at a lower temperature (around 230°C) for 15-20 minutes, achieving perfectly crisp crusts with fully cooked toppings.

Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza: The Windy City's Layered Legacy

Bring a taste of Chicago to your pizzeria with their famed deep-dish pizza. This indulgent, layered creation is a feast for the eyes and the palate:

1. Construction: A unique feature of Chicago deep-dish is the "inverted" construction – toppings are layered on the dough, followed by cheese and sauce. The result is a deliciously gooey, saucy pie.
2. Dough: A buttery, flaky crust is essential for an authentic deep-dish experience. Incorporate melted butter or shortening to achieve this delectable crust.
3. Sauce: A chunky, well-seasoned tomato sauce with crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion, oregano, and sugar achieves the signature Chicago flavour.
4. Pizza Oven Settings: Keep the oven temperature moderately high at 220-230°C, with a longer baking time (about 30-40 minutes) to ensure even cooking through all layers.

Turkish Lahmacun: A Crispy Journey to the Middle East

Lahmacun offers a tantalising Middle Eastern flair to the art of pizza, showcasing a thin, crispy flatbread base with spiced minced meat and vegetables:

1. Dough: A thin and crispy base is crucial to lahmacun; high-gluten flour and a medium-hydration dough will result in the desired texture.
2. Toppings: Combine minced meat (lamb or beef), tomatoes, peppers, onion, garlic, parsley, and fragrant spices such as paprika, cumin, and allspice, creating a harmonious Middle Eastern flavour.
3. Pizza Oven Settings: A very high temperature (around 280-300°C) cooks lahmacun quickly (approximately 4-6 minutes), achieving that characteristic crispy base and slightly charred topping.

Indian Naan Pizza: Fusion Food at Its Finest

Indian naan pizza combines the best of Indian and Italian culinary traditions, creating a delightful fusion option for your pizzeria:

1. Base: Instead of a traditional pizza dough, Indian naan pizza relies on soft, slightly charred naan bread as its foundation, providing a flavourful twist to your pizza menu.
2. Toppings: Customise with classic Indian flavours like tikka masala, paneer, spicy chicken, or vibrant vegetables like cauliflower, spinach, and chickpeas.
3. Pizza Oven Settings: Cook at a moderately high temperature (around 240-250°C) for a shorter duration (approximately 8 minutes) to preserve the naan’s softness and the toppings’ integrity.

A World of Possibilities with Canmac Pizza Ovens

Exploring the vast array of international pizza styles with the help of your Canmac pizza oven is an exciting opportunity to diversify your menu and create one-of-a-kind culinary experiences for your customers. Armed with our guide, you can confidently embark on this world-spanning culinary adventure that will both tantalise taste buds and leave your guests craving more.