Pizza Party at Home! Make it Yourself and Let Everyone Help ~ Dr. Domenico Pratico', MD, FCPP

Pizza is beloved around the world! Pizza perfectly adapts to every culture and every palette. As Italians, certainly each of us has a sentimental or regional favorite pizza. But what about a pizza party at home!?

If you have never had the experience of pizza in Naples; it is unparalleled and worth every calorie and every bite. Neapolitan pizza is unforgettable and I encourage everyone to experience it at least once in your lifetime, and as many times as possible. Sicily boasts an unctuous, traditional square pizza that perfectly blends anchovies, a rich and thick tomato sauce, herbs , and onions with a sprinkling of grated cheese. Rome, is famed for pizza "al taglio" or by the slice. You say how much; they weigh and you pay. The list goes on and on.... If you would like to learn more about the history of pizza, read this article from History Today or click on the Wikipedia link.

But what about pizza at home? Better yet a pizza party at home! Certainly, it is not likely that many home cooks have an outdoor pizza oven, a wood-fired or coal oven or even a home oven that can reach a temperature near that of professional ovens. However, you can make a exceptional and totally satisfying pizza at home and earn the title of pizzaiolo for your family and friends while sharing wonderful moments together.

Our homemade pizza with toppings.

Occasionally I share blogs that are more personal and food related. It is not to diverge from the importance of health blogs but rather I pepper in some other topics, often food. I hope to share some of the healthy and simple food that we prepare in my home. And in the case of pizza, to share that healthy eating also includes decadent splurges, just perhaps consumed in moderation. Also, remember that any food which you prepare has no additives or unknown ingredients. But cooking at home also brings loved ones together and that is always something to celebrate.

All vegetable toppings for this pizza.

My choice to include a blog about preparing pizza is because it offers so many ways to engage people in the process and everyone can lend a hand. If you don't have time to prepare your own pizza dough, it is easy to buy pizza dough in the supermarket and fast track the end result.

If you have young children or teenagers who want to invite friends for dinner, there is no better way to bring them to the kitchen, and spend time with you. Teens can really do it all, roll the dough, grate the cheese, prepare the toppings and everyone can personalize their slices and pies. Even young children are thrilled to add toppings. And, the aroma of pizza in the oven will put a smile on everyone's face. Pizza has a way of creating community.

If you have a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, helping to prepare pizza is a simple and easy way to engage the person and pizza might bring some fond memories to the conversation.

I encourage you to prep your own pizza sauce, since it is so simple and an easy way to avoid extra salt or additives. Just use your favorite high quality, crushed tomatoes, even from a can, and add, extra virgin olive oil and any herbs you like. It is that simple; no cooking involved.

A tomato pie, is delicious - here, sauce and EVOO

A pizza party at home is wonderful because it takes the most simple of components and raises them to exquisite. So don't order out the next time someone in your house craves pizza. Bring everyone to the kitchen of every age and make it a party and a time to share and create memories that are sure to last a lifetime.

From my home to yours, buon appetito!!

If you would like to read more of my blogs:

Check out the recent blog: Celebrating Olive Tree Day - Dr. Domenico Pratico, MD, FCPP

For more information on support groups, reach out to your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Or connect with other great resources, National Institute on Aging or American Federation for Aging Research.

Domenico Praticò, MD, holds the position of the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation Chair for Alzheimer’s Research and serves as a Professor and Founding Director at the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple, as well as a Professor of Neural Sciences at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.

For more information on the research conducted by Dr. Domenico Pratico, please visit this link.

Connect with Dr. Domenico Pratico through LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Medium.

Stay updated with the work happening at Dr. Domenico Pratico's lab by visiting the Pratico Lab website.