The Pizza itself was a tribute to Italy and being a true Margherita,
it is one of the better known vegetarian pizzas in the world. The Pizza
history began with the Greeks rather than the Italians. It was the
Greeks who first baked large, round and flat breads which they "annointed
with oil, herbs, spices and dates. "Eventually, the `flat breaded' idea
made its way to Italy in the 18th century and they had the great name
for it - "Pizzas". These were sold on the streets and in the markets but
were not topped with anything. Since they were relatively cheap to make,
were tasty and filling, they were sold to the poor all over Naples by
street vendors and boys. The acceptance of the tomato by the Neapolitans
and the visit of the Queen contributed to the Pizza as we know and enjoy
it today.
 In about 1889, Queen Margherita, accompanied by her husband, Umberto
I, took an inspection tour of her Italian Kingdom. During her tour in
Italy she saw many people, mostly peasants, eating this large, flat
bread. Curiousity got the better of her and the queen ordered her guards
to bring her one of the Pizza breads. The Queen loved the bread and
would eat it every time she was out among the people, which caused some
consternation in Court circles for it is not seemly for a Queen to dine
on peasant's food.Nevertheless, the Queen loved the bread and decided to
take matters into her own hands. Summoning Chef Rafaelle Esposito from
his pizzeria to the royal palace, the Queen ordered him to bake a
selection of pizzas for her pleasure.
To honour the Queen who was so beloved by her subjects, Rafaelle
decided to make a very special pizza just for her. He baked a Pizza
topped with tomatoes, Mozarella Cheese, and fresh Basil (to represent
the colours of the Italian flag: Red, white, and green).
This became Queen Margherita's favourite pizza and when word got out
that this was one of the Queen's favourite foods, she became even more
popular with the Italian people. She also started a culinary tradition,
the Pizza Margherita, which lasts to this very day in Naples and has now
spread throughout the world.Once a great Queen of Italy, Margherita
Maria Teresa Giovanna di Savoia or Margaret of Savoy was born on the
20th of November 1851 in Turin and she died on the 4th of January 1926
in Bordighera. She was the Queen consort of the Kingdom of Italy during
the reign (1878-1900) of her husband, Humbert I. In 1889 the Margherita
pizza, whose red tomatoes, green basil, and white cheese represent the
Italian flag, was named after her. Her name means "daisy" in Italian.
History has not made it clear whether Rafaelle began to sell this
creation from his own pizzeria but it is known that the Pizza, in much
the same form as we now know it, was thereafter enjoyed by all the
Italian people.
Variations began to be made in different parts of the country. In
Bologna, for example, meat began to be added into the topping mix.
Neapolitan Pizza became quite popular and it brought garlic and crumbly
Neapolitan cheeses into the mixture as well as herbs, fresh vegetables,
and other spices and flavourings.
So fill the coupon below and get ready to tantalise your tastebuds!
- Nilma
 Ingredients
* 1 kg Mutton, minced
* 2 Eggs
* 5gm White pepper
* Salt to taste
* 30 ml Vegetable oil
* 60 gm Ginger finely chopped
* 50 gm chopped green chillies
* 50 gm Onions, chopped
* 30 gm Green coriander
* 20 gm Garam masala (powder of clove,cinna mon, cardamon, mace, nut meg)
* Vegetable oil for basting
* Butter (unsalted) for brushing
Method
 1. Drain out the water from mutton minced with the help of muslin
cloth and rub it nicely with your palm. Whisk the eggs, white pepper
powder, salt, and oil. Add to the mince and mix well. Keep aside for 10
minutes.
2. Add ginger, onions, green coriander, and garam masala. Mix well.
3. With wet hands, wrap on iron skewer.
4. Arrange iron skewer in side of tandoor clay pot.
5. Roast in a moderately hot tandoor or charcoal grill for about
6 minutes until golden brown in colour, or roast in a pre
heated oven at 150 degrees C (300 degrees F) for 8 minutes, basting
with oil just once.
6. Remove from skewers and brush with butter.
7. Serve hot, garnished with onion rings and lemon wedge and mint
chutney.
Serving amount
Serves: 4 portions
Santosh Chaniyal
Indian Chef Hotel Holiday Inn Colombo.
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