Project Food Challenge: Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza

Wow, just wow.  I've tried my hand at many different kinds of pizza, including New York style pizza.  Well, I figured, just to be fair, it's about time that I try my hand at the classic Chicago style deep dish pizza.  I must say, I was successful!  With a flaky, buttery, melt in your mouth crust, and topped with mozzarella, pepperoni, and sauce (in that order) it was simply incredible!  

Ingredients:

• 3 teaspoons of yeast
• 1 teaspoons of sugar
• 1 1/4 cup warm water
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon corn oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
• sliced mozzarella
• toppings of choice (Off The Menu used Aidells pineapple and bacon chicken sausage, green and red pepper, and mushrooms)
• pizza sauce (I use this recipe minus the meat and water)

Steps

Put the yeast and sugar into a medium sized bowl.

Add the water to the yeast and sugar.

Let sit for 10-15 minutes or until frothy.

When the yeast mixture is foamy, add the flour, sea salt, and the corn oil.

Mix until all of the ingredients are blended.  Be careful not to over mix.

Coat a  Deep Dish Pizza Pan with a little bit of corn oil.  2 cake pans also work well if you don't have a deep dish pizza pan.

If using 2 cake pans, split the dough into two equal parts.  If using a deep dish pizza pan, don't split the dough.

Pat the dough out to cover the pan.

Cover with a towel, and allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 8-10 hours.  I would suggest making your dough first thing in the morning, and come dinner time, your dough will be ready for you.

Pre-heat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork.

In the pre-heated oven, bake the crust for 10 minutes.

While the crust is baking, slice the cheese, (do not shred as you want the cheese thicker).

When the crust comes out of the oven, top with a your desired amount of sauce first, cheese, toppings...

and then don't be afraid add a little sauce after you put all your toppings on! 

Bake in pre-heated oven for 20-25 minutes.

Slice and enjoy!

This pie has definitely earned a spot in our menu.  I can't wait to make this pizza again!