Pizza Margherita as comfort food — exactly what I needed

Some dishes exist to comfort and Pizza Margherita is absolutely in that category. The deeply savory quality works on something almost primal — you feel the warmth of it immediately. Parmesan does work that no substitute can replicate.

Italian cooking is intensely regional with little crossover between provinces. There's something about the a Neapolitan pizzeria context that reinforces the comfort effect. limoncello after the meal alongside is the traditional way and it makes complete sense. I come back to this dish when I need something dependable and restorative.