Pizza Napoletana!

Having returned from 3 months in Napoli where I trained in pizza-making through Verace Pizza Napoletan, I discovered this book which accurately describes the way pizza is consistently made throughout Napoli. It's well written and designed, and includes great images, recipies, and insights into a wonderful tradition.

This book has everything you need to make great pizza at home. It's beautifully presented, and the recipes are authentic, with enough variety to stop anyone from getting bored. In addition to the basic recipes, the mushroom and smoked mozzarella is delicious as is the shrimp and pesto.

Try the receipes in this book. I used the flour mixture, fresh yeast, the slow rise of the dough. Like the author states, the Pizza is the dough. The results is very satisfying. We are used to piling all kinds of toppings on our American pizza. Using fewer toppings, one can taste each flavor. If you want to get serious about making the Italian Pie, then this is the book to buy. You won't be disapointed! The author has done her homework.

Pamela Sheldon Johns' Pizza Napoletana! is more than just another pizza collection: the author toured Italy examining the history and culinary traditions of Neapolitan and regional pizzas, and provides a diverse selection of dishes with pair well with photos of the finished products. Pizza fans will find this packed with ideas and information.

This cookbook covers authentic Neopolitan pizza like I'd hoped to know without actually making a trip to Naples. Pizza history and traditions from the birthplace of authentic pizza are given along with techniques derived from the some of the oldest pizzerias in the world. Recipes are provided for classic pizza dough and Neopolitan pizza recipes (Margherita and Marinara) and a quicker dough version, specialty Neopolitan pizza recipes, and regional Italian recipes. The classic versions are strictly regulated in Naples by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, which is covered in detail in this cookbook. The cookbook photography is outstanding and includes lots of interior shots of Naples pizzerias at work and also excellent food photography. This is a 5-star pizza cookbook and a must-have for serious pizza makers!