Welcome to the latest installment of Next Chapter: Active & Engaged Over 60 in Bergen County, a new series on mybergen.com providing fun, useful, and engaging content for the 60+ crowd who aren’t slowing down anytime soon.
Whether it’s food, local events, or helpful tips on how to enjoy life in Bergen County, we’ve got you covered. And today, we’re covering a topic near and dear to many of us: a classic Margherita Pizza recipe and where to score some extra savings here in Bergen County.
Let’s face it—there’s something both hilarious and slightly annoying about the term “senior discount.” It’s like they’re trying to remind us we’ve hit some mythical age where life’s supposed to slow down. But for those of us here in Bergen County, who may have graduated from high school in the ’70s or early ’80s or earlier, we’re obviously not slowing down. That said, if a store wants to throw us a discount for being “seniors,” we’ll gladly take it—especially if it’s at a specialty type of place like Uncle Giuseppe’s in Ramsey.
So, while we’re in the kitchen whipping up a classic like a Margherita Pizza, it doesn’t hurt to know where to get fresh ingredients and maybe even snag a few dollars off the total at checkout.
Let’s Talk About This Margherita Pizza Recipe
Pizza is one of those things that never gets old. Whether you’re a master in the kitchen or someone who just likes to keep it simple, a good pizza recipe always hits the spot.
If you’ve been around Jersey long enough, you know that pizza is practically its own food group. And while we love our local Bergen County pizzerias, there’s something special about making a fresh, homemade pizza.
So, here’s a Margherita Pizza recipe that’s straightforward, delicious, and uses ingredients you can find at most grocery stores—including Uncle Giuseppe’s.
Uncle Giuseppe’s Margherita Pizza Recipe
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces fresh pizza dough
- 4 ounces pizza sauce
- 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh mozzarella cheese
- 1 ounce Uncle Giuseppe’s olive oil
- 1 ounce grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- Basil leaves
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Flour each side of the fresh pizza dough.
- Form a crust using your hands to desired thickness. Flatten the center of the dough.
- Repeat the crust and flattening on the reverse side of the dough.
- Place dough on pizza stone or cookie sheet.
- Add shredded mozzarella to the dough, then pizza sauce in dollops. Spread evenly through the dough. Add mozzarella, cut into even pieces and spread evenly throughout the dough.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown or 5 more minutes for well done.
- Remove from oven, add basil leaves, grated Parmigiano Reggiano and extra virgin olive oil.
Simple, right? It’s a great dish to share with family or friends—or to enjoy yourself with a glass of wine.
Navigating Senior Discounts Without Feeling Like a “Senior”
Here’s the deal: Uncle Giuseppe’s in Ramsey offers a 5% discount every Wednesday for people aged 65 and over. Yes, we’re not thrilled about the term “senior,” but who’s going to turn down a discount?
For many of us, shopping is an enjoyable outing, whether we’re picking up groceries for a home-cooked meal or browsing for something new. The 5% savings might not sound like much, but when you’re grabbing a week’s worth of fresh produce, some high-quality meats, and maybe a few bakery treats, it adds up.
Why Uncle Giuseppe’s? It’s More Than Just a Discount
There are plenty of grocery stores in Bergen County, but Uncle Giuseppe’s stands out for a few reasons beyond just the discount. First, their selection of Italian specialties is second to none—perfect for home cooks who want quality ingredients. Second, the shopping experience feels less like a chore and more like a fun outing. The friendly staff, fresh produce, and wide range of gourmet items make it an enjoyable trip every time.
So while the senior discount might get you through the door, the quality and experience keep you coming back. Whether you’re picking up pizza ingredients or something for a weekend dinner party, Uncle Giuseppe’s has it all.
What’s great about stores like Uncle Giuseppe’s is that they’re not just your average grocery chain. Whether you’re stocking up on essentials or hunting for ingredients for that Margherita Pizza, shopping here feels more personal. You can talk to the staff about the best olive oils, get recommendations for fresh mozzarella, and maybe even pick up something you wouldn’t have thought to try.
They also have live entertainment occasionally and even complimentary food samples to enjoy. It’s a fun place to shop.
And while this article isn’t meant to be an advertisement for Uncle Giuseppe’s, we appreciate a place where shopping feels like a community activity. Plus, taking advantage of their senior discount every Wednesday makes the experience a little sweeter.
View more recipes from Uncle Giuseppe’s
We’re Not “Old,” We’re Just Savvy Shoppers
Here’s the thing—grocery stores and other businesses will call it a “senior discount,” but we see it as smart shopping. After all, we’re the generation that grew up going to Two Guys! We know how to spot a good deal. So, when a store like Uncle Giuseppe’s offers a little bonus for being of a certain age, we might roll our eyes, but we’ll gladly take it.
Cooking for Fun, Not Necessity
For many of us, cooking has become a passion rather than a necessity. After years of making meals for families, it’s nice to take the time to really enjoy the process. Making a pizza from scratch is one of those things that’s both relaxing and rewarding, especially when you know you’ve saved a little on the ingredients.
Wrapping It Up
This Margherita Pizza recipe is a great way to enjoy a classic meal at home, especially when you’ve sourced your ingredients from a good local market. And while we may joke about the “senior discount,” it’s always nice to save a little while shopping for quality groceries.
So, here’s to great food, local businesses, and being part of an active and engaged community in Bergen County. Whether it’s cooking, shopping, or enjoying the perks of life, we’re still out here living it up—just with a little more wisdom (and maybe a better deal on pizza ingredients).
Older, Not Old
This article is part of mybergen.com’s Next Chapter: Active & Engaged Over 60 in Bergen County series, where we’ll share tips, recipes, local concerts and other events, healthy living advice, retirement planning, and more for our vibrant Bergen County 60+ community. Keep an eye out for more in the series!
