Pizza Sauce
Description
Pizza sauce is the cornerstone of a great pizza, enveloping the dough with a rich, herby tomato base. It's a versatile condiment that combines tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and various seasonings to enhance and unify the flavors of your pizza toppings. The sauce is typically simmered to meld the flavors and can be found in both smooth and chunky varieties, depending on personal preference.
Common uses
Pizza sauce is primarily used as a base layer on pizza dough before toppings are added. It can also serve as a dipping sauce for breadsticks, a spread for calzones or stromboli, and a flavor enhancer for pasta dishes.
Nutritional value
Calories
Typically, pizza sauce contains about 20 to 30 calories per tablespoon (about 15 to 20 grams).
Protein
Pizza sauce usually provides around 0.5 grams of protein per tablespoon.
Fat
Pizza sauce is generally low in fat, with less than 0.5 grams per tablespoon.
Carbohydrates
There are approximately 3 to 4 grams of carbohydrates in a tablespoon of pizza sauce, mainly from sugars naturally present in tomatoes.
Vitamins
Pizza sauce is a good source of vitamin C and provides some vitamin A, thanks to the tomatoes.
Minerals
It also contains essential minerals like potassium and iron in small amounts.
Health benefits
Its tomato base makes pizza sauce rich in lycopene, an antioxidant linked to heart health and reduced cancer risk. The herbs and garlic in the sauce can also offer anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits.
Potential risks
Store-bought pizza sauce can be high in sodium and added sugars, which might pose health risks when consumed in excess. Homemade versions can control these levels more effectively.
Common recipes
Pizza sauce is, of course, used in traditional pizza recipes, from Margherita to Pepperoni and beyond. It's also used in various Italian-American dishes such as lasagna, meatball subs, and as a marinara dip.
Cooking methods
The sauce is either simmered on the stove to develop flavor or used raw and cooked directly on the pizza as it bakes in the oven.
Pairing with other ingredients
Pizza sauce pairs well with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, sausage, vegetables, and a variety of herbs like basil and oregano.
Summary
Pizza sauce is a flavorful, tomato-based condiment essential to pizza-making. It's rich in vitamins and antioxidants and can be made with a variety of seasonings. While it is most commonly associated with pizza, it's also versatile enough to be used in many other culinary applications.