Rules For Making a Better Pizza

Anyone can do better in their home by combining a handful of fresh ingredients and following a few simple steps. And believe it or not, pizza made the right way can make for a truly well-balanced meal. Preheat the oven and follow along.

Pizza Rule #1

The Hotter, the Better! True Italian pizzas are cooked in about 2 minutes in 1,000 degree fahrenheit ovens. Preheat your oven for 30 minutes at 500 degrees fahrenheit (the max temp for most home ovens) for a light, crispy crust.

Pizza Rule #2

Fire Up the Grill!  Have your ingredients ready, slide the raw dough directly onto the hot grates, and grill until lightly chared, about 4 minutes. Flip and immediately add sauce and cheese, then cover the grill and wait for the cheese to melt.

Pizza Rule #3

Go Easy on the Toppings! Pizza isn't about how much cheese you can cram onto a slice; it's about the subtle interplay of bread, sauce, cheese, and topping. Don't use more than 2 ounces of cheese and a few pieces of meat or vegetable per slice.

Pizza Rule #4

Break Out of the Box! Nontraditional ingredients—barbecue sauce, chorizo, pistachios—can elevate a humble pie to new heights.

Source: MensHealth.com, "Eat This Not That" book