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February 9th: National Pizza Day

Celebrate National Pizza Day with These Irresistible Recipes and Fun Facts!

National Pizza Day is celebrated on February 9th each year. This delicious holiday honors one of the most iconic and universally loved foods worldwide. The exact origins of National Pizza Day are a bit murky, but it’s believed to have been established as a marketing initiative by pizzerias and pizza enthusiasts to promote the enjoyment of pizza.

Fun Facts About Pizza:

  1. Ancient Origins: Pizza’s roots can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans. These early pizzas were simple flatbreads topped with ingredients like olive oil, herbs, and cheese.
  2. Pizza Margherita: The iconic Pizza Margherita was created in 1889 by pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito in Naples, Italy. He garnished the pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil to represent the colors of the Italian flag—red, white, and green—honoring Queen Margherita of Savoy.
  3. World Pizza Consumption: The United States is the leading consumer of pizza globally, with Americans consuming an estimated 3 billion pizzas annually.
  4. Guinness World Record: The largest pizza ever made was crafted in Rome, Italy, in December 2012. It measured an astonishing 13,580.28 square feet, surpassing the previous record held by a pizza made in South Africa.

Classic Margherita Pizza Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
  • 1/2 cup pizza sauce
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Olive oil, for drizzling
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.
  2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness.
  3. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza peel or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
  4. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
  5. Arrange the sliced mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
  6. Tear fresh basil leaves and scatter them over the cheese.
  7. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the pizza and season with salt and pepper.
  8. Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated oven, either directly onto the pizza stone or onto the baking sheet.
  9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
  10. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Enjoy your delicious homemade Margherita pizza!

BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound pizza dough
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Olive oil, for drizzling

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Place a pizza stone in the oven if you have one.
  2. Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness.
  3. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza peel or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
  4. Spread the barbecue sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border.
  5. Arrange the cooked chicken and sliced red onion over the sauce.
  6. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the toppings.
  7. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the pizza.
  8. Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated oven, either directly onto the pizza stone or onto the baking sheet.
  9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
  10. Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top. Let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Vegetarian Mediterranean Pizza Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound pizza dough
  • 1/2 cup hummus
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Olive oil, for drizzling
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.
  2. Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness.
  3. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza peel or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
  4. Spread the hummus evenly over the dough, leaving a small border.
  5. Arrange the cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and red onion over the hummus.
  6. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the toppings.
  7. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the pizza and season with salt and pepper.
  8. Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated oven, either directly onto the pizza stone or onto the baking sheet.
  9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the toppings are heated through.
  10. Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle chopped parsley over the top. Let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.

National Pizza Day is a fantastic opportunity to indulge in your favorite pizza creations or try something new. Whether you opt for a classic Margherita, a tangy BBQ chicken, or a Mediterranean-inspired delight, the possibilities are endless. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the oven, and celebrate this delicious holiday in style. Happy National Pizza Day!