Gritty Naples and the Margherita Pizza!
Eating a pizza at Brandi's means eating a piece of history. This pizzeria has been managed by the Pagnani family for two generations, since about 1780, and it was mere steps from our hotel!
In 1889 was when the Margherita was born. It was baked a pizza especially for the visiting Queen Margherita. To give the pizza a patriotic appearance, the chef used the colors of the new Italian flag: tomato sauce for the red; basil for the green; and for the white, a key ingredient - mozzarella di bufala. The queen loved the pizza, and an international delicacy was born.
Through-out the trip I felt it my "duty" to taste the varieties of Margherita pizzas ~ whereas in Rome the crust is crispy, in the area in/near Naples the crust bubbles and is chewey. Since I got home I have been trying various pizza crusts recipes to replicate...not quite there, but close.... My fave? Hmmmmm, think I may need to go back and taste test more!
Below are pix as we were eating, and of course the token photo with the waiter (who thought we were from Russia!).
In 1889 was when the Margherita was born. It was baked a pizza especially for the visiting Queen Margherita. To give the pizza a patriotic appearance, the chef used the colors of the new Italian flag: tomato sauce for the red; basil for the green; and for the white, a key ingredient - mozzarella di bufala. The queen loved the pizza, and an international delicacy was born.
Through-out the trip I felt it my "duty" to taste the varieties of Margherita pizzas ~ whereas in Rome the crust is crispy, in the area in/near Naples the crust bubbles and is chewey. Since I got home I have been trying various pizza crusts recipes to replicate...not quite there, but close.... My fave? Hmmmmm, think I may need to go back and taste test more!
Below are pix as we were eating, and of course the token photo with the waiter (who thought we were from Russia!).