A favorite of people from all around the world, Pizza has a long and rich history from originally being an ancient dish. Another dish with a long, rich history is Pinsa, a roman empire food very similar to the Italian invention of Pizza.
In ancient times, Pinsa was such a healthy and delicious food that Roman saints offered it as food to their gods. Now we can make the same food at home, using a similar approach (You can offer it to the gods if you like, that’s optional).
Let’s discuss more about Pinsa, aka Pinsa Pizza, and learn more about what it is, how to make it, and why it is a great alternative to traditional pizzas.
What exactly is Pinsa?
Many experts don’t categorize Pinsa as an actual pizza. Taking a precise look at it, you will find that Pinsa is enjoyed more like a pizza even today. Pinsa comes from the Latin word, ‘Pinsere’, which means pushing the dough by hand. Accurately speaking, Pinsa is a flatbread of Roman origins.
The structure of pizza itself proves that pizza is also a type of flatbread with sauce, cheese, and other forms of toppings. This similarity between Pinsa and pizza makes people often consider Pinsa as a form of pizza.
Pinsa is made from a blend of wheat, soy, and rice flour, and is known for its unique texture – it’s crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. The dough is also fermented for a longer period of time than traditional pizza dough, giving it a more complex flavor. It’s also said to be easier on the digestion than regular pizza crust.
The first difference that people tend to notice about Pinsa though, is its shape. Pinsa is not usually round as compared to regular pizzas. And the other major difference lies in the way the dough is made. And that dough in turn creates a completely different result.
The way people around the world are enjoying Pinsa, it is now easily available in a large number of pizzerias around the world.
What is the difference between pizza and pinza?
Well, both are delicious Italian dishes, but there are a few key differences.
As you can see in the below illustration, the first thing most people notice is that a typical Pizza is round, and a Pinsa Pizza is a rectangle in shape.
Pizza is typically made with wheat flour, yeast, water, and salt, and is known for its crispy, chewy crust. Pinsa, on the other hand, is made with a blend of wheat, soy, and rice flour, and has a different texture – it’s crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside.
Pinsa dough is also fermented for a longer period of time than traditional pizza dough, which gives it a more complex flavor. Pinsa also tend to be lower in gluten and more easily digested than traditional pizza.
Is it a better option?
In case you are not familiar with Pinsa, you might think about the pros and cons. Let me tell you the good news, Pinsa pizza is a way more healthy option than others, and here are the reasons why:
- Things like gluten, sugar, fat, and cholesterol are in considerably low quantities in a Pinsa. That is something to make it a healthy and easily digestible food.
- If you stick to the authentic recipe of making the dough for a Pinsa, no additives, or preservatives are added throughout the process. Natural olive oil is used for the most part hence reducing your worries further.
- The fermenting process for Pinsa is about 72 hours which eventually breaks down starches. Apart from that, Pinsa is cooked at low temperatures as compared to regular pizzas which keeps the base hydrated, and makes sure it passes easily through one’s digestive system.
We have now talked enough about the benefits of Pinsa pizza. Let us help you make one all by yourself. Here is a quick recipe to help you make delicious Pinsa pizza.
The process of making a Pinsa pizza
Before we begin with the steps involved in this recipe, here is a quick note. We assume that you are well aware of the process of making pizza and you understand the basic terminologies involved here.
Other than that, we also presume that you know the right amounts of salt, and olive oil to be added as per the quantity of the dough.
The major difference lies in the way dough is made. Once you are complete with the dough, you can go with the toppings as you prefer.
Getting started with the dough
- Mix rice flour, yeast, and all-purpose flour in a big bowl.
- Start whisking slowly and add cold water to the mixed flour.
- Add salt while whisking and then add olive oil to this mix.
- Once you are done mixing the dough to the level that is required, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it aside for 30 minutes.
- Unwrap the bowl and mix the dough and wrap it for the next 30 minutes. Do the same again after another 30 minutes.
- You may repeat this process one time again but usually, people are ready for the next step here. It is now time to put the wrapped bowl with the dough in your fridge for at least 24 hours.
- Just like long fermentation pizza, you should take the dough out of the fridge after 24 hours and split the dough into two equal pieces.
- Place both of them on separate parchment papers and dust them with rice flour. It is now time to cover both these doughs with a towel (preferably linen) for about 70-80 minutes.
- In the final stages, you need to uncover the dough and pour some olive oil on top of it. Then you will press the oiled region into the dough and stretch it outwards from the center. Keep on doing it until you transform the dough into a usual Pinsa pizza shape.
So you are now done with the part that differentiates a Pinsa from regular pizzas.
Working with the toppings is your next and final step. Now it’s time for you to add your favorite pizza toppings. If you need some inspiration, look through the hundreds of pizza recipes we have here on our website.
Prepare the toppings based on your preferences. Once your topping is ready, start the baking process.
The final step
We’re nearly done! Can you taste it in your mind yet? I’m getting peckish just writing about it.
- Get the dough that you just finished preparing and place it on the baking sheet and drizzle some extra virgin olive oil on it.
- Preheat the oven to 450F before you place the baking sheet in the oven.
- Place the dough with toppings into the oven and bake it for 10 minutes. It is safe to take out the pizza once the dough has become brown and the pizza cheese on the edges is melted.
- And you must be knowing the last step i.e. garnishing with freshly ground pepper and parsley. You may get even more creative and selective here if you want.
Health benefits of pinsa pizza?
As with any food, it depends on the ingredients and toppings, but generally speaking, pinsa can be a healthier option compared to traditional pizza.
For one thing, pinsa crust is made with a blend of wheat, soy, and rice flour, which can provide a variety of nutrients and is lower in gluten compared to traditional pizza crust. Also the dough is fermented for a longer period of time which can make it easier to digest.
Additionally, because pinsa tend to be thinner and larger than traditional pizzas, you may end up eating less overall. Of course, it’s always important to pay attention to portion sizes and toppings, but in general, pinsa can be a delicious and nutritious option for a pizza night.
Final thoughts
Hopefully you must have realized by now that making a Pinsa pizza is quite a simple process. Overall, pinsa pizza crust is a delicious and unique twist on a classic favorite that is worth trying out if you haven’t already! We shared a simple yet effective recipe to help you get a delicious Pinsa in your home.
Try adding healthy items to the topping to maintain the essence of an authentic Pinsa pizza. When you are trying something special, make sure you are maintaining its specialty. Being aware of the good qualities of Pinsa will help you get more creative with it.
