The most well-known name behind Indian pizza is Dalvinder Multani.
Indian pizza, a fresh and crispy dough with sauce and ingredients from Indian cuisine, is gaining popularity in several metropolitan areas.
There are several versions of who first had the idea, but the most well-known name is Dalvinder Multani, an Indian man who, like many Italian Americans, went by the name "Tony." Multani was a chef who cooked North Indian and Italian dishes separately, until he decided to combine his two passions. He ended up owning a classic pizzeria with his own unique twist on the menu.
The philosophy was that you could put anything on pizza. Multani's Zante restaurant in San Francisco changed the way we understand fusion cuisine. That fusion makes perfect sense when you look at the ingredients of Indian and Italian-American cooking.
Indian and Italian cultures in the United States maintain their roots and share a history of immigration. Both are masters of baking from scratch: fluffy garlic naan and garlic bread enhance any dish, whether with an aromatic curry or a rich sauce. They also share ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, garlic, cream, olive oil, leafy greens, and seasonings.
The fusion flavors are incredibly diverse: spinach curry, tandoori chicken, samosa and tikka masala, or a murgh makhani (butter chicken) pizza. Some restaurants also add an Indian twist to their grilled chicken wings, with varieties like tamarind barbecue and spicy mango.
Many Indian and Italian dishes are vegetarian or can be. Indian pizza is, therefore, a creative way to introduce this cuisine to those unfamiliar with it, in a familiar format. Whether with paneer or Parmesan, it allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds.