Pizza is delicious and it's even better when you make your own from scratch. Try out this special deep dish pizza which is simply a tall, thick crust with lots of cheese and your choice of ingredients. This variety of pizza hails from the Chicago, where the the deep dish style was first created. This is definitely not for the light hearted or for those afraid of heaps of cheese!
Start out by gathering all of the ingredients needed for each component of the pizza.
For the pizza dough:
600 grams strong flour
15 grams sea salt
20 ml olive oil
15 ml milk
410 ml water
10 grams yeast
For the sauce:
1 clove garlic
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 oz tomato paste
8 oz tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon olive oil
A dash of Tabasco for a kick (optional)
Toppings:
Mozzarella cheese
Tasty cheese (optional)
Cheddar cheese (optional)
Any additional toppings that you love. For the deep dish, it's recommended to stick with the classics like pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, black olives but the beauty of pizza is the freedom to put your favourite toppings on it.
First, to make the dough mix all ingredients on low speed with an electric mixer for three minutes or until it has a silky, smooth texture. Place dough into a bowl that's been sprayed with olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to rise for at least one hour.
While the dough is rising, mix all of the ingredients for the pizza sauce in a bowl. Though a thicker sauce is recommended it is fairly flexible in that you can add a little extra tomato sauce if you want a thin mix or a bit more tomato paste to create a thick concoction. If you're a fan of hot and spicy, add a bit of Tabasco or your favourite hot sauce. Set aside.
When you are ready to start assembling the pizza, preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
Ensure that the dough has been given enough time to prove otherwise it will expand even more once it's put into a hot oven and you'll end up with more of a loaf of bread rather than a pizza crust! Place a thin layer of flour onto the kitchen bench or a tray. With a rolling pin, roll the dough out so it's fairly flat but not too thin so that it breaks when you pick it up. Using a spring form pan, mold the dough around the pan creating a "deep dish." Suggestion: A spring form pan will make serving the pizza much easier at the end. You'll be able to unhook the clip and it's ready to go.
Next comes the really fun part! Once you have formed the dough around the pan lay your choice of cheeses at the bottom. Don't be shy here since cheese is the key ingredient. Be creative - mix it up with mozzarella, tasty and cheddar cheese. Or stick with the classic mozzarella. After you have covered the bottom with cheese then pile on your selection of toppings.
After you've decorated your pie with your choice toppings, cover it all up with the sauce made earlier. If you feel artistic, garnish the top with spinach or parsley just to add a little green.
Place the pizza into the preheated oven for 30 - 40 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Deep dish pizzas will typically take a little bit longer to cook given their depth so be patient. When the crust looks golden and the sauce is starting to bubble just a bit, take the pizza out to cool for 5-10 minutes.
After it has set for a bit, unhook the sides of the spring form pan, cut the pizza and serve!
Something to aim for with your deep dish creation!
