I like pizza. It’s probably the most enjoyable food I eat. Most, however, associate pizza with the term, ‘junk’ or ‘bad’ food. They are labeling something they have NO idea about. Food is made up of macronutrients. Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates and Water. We can throw alcohol in that mix too. Like there are three primary colors with no morality attached to them [is blue evil?], there is NO morality to chemical substances. When you expose the planet to the deadly botulism toxin,.. you can end life. When you shoot it into the face of a woman in Boca Raton, you get paid a lot of money. Everything in context. Even pizza.
According to the book, “Blue Zones”, the people of Sardinia live longer on average. What component is a genetic marker that is more consistent in this island population. The other is the lifestyle, including diet. Strong family ties, relationships, physical activity and stress reduction are all deemed important. Their diet is the classic, “Mediterranean” diet. [note: there may be more than 20 types of Mediterranean diets]. Here is a description from the “Blue Zone” website.
Eat a lean, plant-based diet accented with meat. The classic Sardinian diet consists of whole-grain bread, beans, garden vegetables, fruits, and, in some parts of the island, mastic oil. Sardinians also traditionally eat pecorino cheese made from grass-fed sheep, whose cheese is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Meat is largely reserved for Sundays and special occasions.
Drink a glass or two of red wine daily. Sardinians drink wine moderately. Cannonau wine has two or three times the level of artery-scrubbing flavonoids as other wines. Moderate wine consumption may help explain the lower levels of stress among men.
So based on at least one long lived, healthy, group of people, pizza with wine fits very well into this diet. Rather than order out, I think making it at home is both time efficient and economical. There is also value in the stress reduction associated with cooking Italian food and sipping some wine as you do so.
Here is a recipe that has been varied over the years. It’s very modular, and is designed to be modified. I’d love to hear others suggestions.
1. Pre Made pizza crust. Boboli, Mama Marie, etc,.. many varieties available in your local market.
2. Spend some money on a good sauce,.. I like Basil in my sauce,.. you may like garlic or vodka.
3. First layer of cheese is either goat, blue or gorgonzola.
4. About a pound of protein. In this case, chicken breast cooked in wine, olive oil and ample spice.
5. A layer of cooked spinach, sun dried tomatoes, garlic and onions.
6. I top it with fresh whole milk, mozzarella cheese.
7. It cooks quickly at a high heat. [about 6 minutes at 400 degrees] Let cool for 3 minutes, then slice and eat. Drink lots of red wine for the polyphenols and stress reducing components.
Enjoy.
