Myth of Poison Tomatoes and Margarita Pizza Recipe

There have been movies, video games, and many other entertainment bits about killer tomatos. There is a story behind all of these. The tomato was feared by those in the Eropean elite circle for centuries after the vegetable was introduced to the continent. There may have been a bit of truth in the myth as the plates that the elite would eat on including nobility ate their foods from pewter flatware. These dishes had 30% lead which is a poisin when ingested. Tomatoes and other high acidity foods leeched through and became poisonous. 

It tood a farmer by the name of Colonel Johnson to prove that tomatoes were not poison. On June 28, 1820 the tomato farmer climbed the courthouse steps in Salem Massachusetts and ate a bucketful of tomatoes. He did not get sick and suffered no ill effects this move started to make individuals think. 

Those from Southern Eurpope as well as the less well off all ready knew and understood that tomatoes were not poison. Italy created tomato based dish and brought popularity to the tomato. Margarite pizzas were created to brng honor to the Queen Margarita Flatbread piled on with the three colors of the Italian flag red (tomato sauce), white (mozzarella) and green (basil) 

flatbread pizza crust - 12-inch, (store bought)

olive oil - 1 tsp, (or less)

mozzarella cheese

tomatoes - 2

basil - fresh, (thinly sliced)

clove garlics - 2

salt - (optional)

black pepper - (optional)

red pepper flakes - (optional)

Preheat oven to 450 F degrees. Brush or spray olive oil over flatbread. Sprinkle the garlic slices over flatbread. Top with mozzarella cheese and sliced tomatoes and 6-7 pieces of basil and then top with mozzarella cheese. Season with salt and pepper (This is optional). Bake for 10 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle fresh basil on top. Serve with red pepper flakes (optional)