Grandma Pie...

Originating from the Italian immigrant home kitchens of Long Island, New York, the Grandma Pie is an aromatic mix of tomatoes, fresh garlic and basil, topped with cheese. Typically prepared in an olive oil rubbed square pan, this pizza was served at home or in restaurants to hungry waitstaff and cooks and dubbed Grandma pie because of its use by first-generation immigrants.

 Humble origins and simple ingredients belie a wonderful combination of flavors. For those enjoying the sweetness of good quality tomatoes, the ordinary crushed canned variety which in some instances leave a tinny aftertaste, will not do. 

The best whole or chunk tomatoes, rinsed and added to fresh cut basil and garlic with a touch of olive oil and decent, thin dough that crisps in your home oven, is what you are striving for. An alternative to chunk tomatoes is homemade sauce. 

You won't run short of lutein, lycopene, vitamin C or other nutrients and your taste buds will thank you.

I enjoyed every morsel.

Cheers.