Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza

Lucas and I were watching Americas Test Kitchen and saw this recipe. I love pizza as much as the next guy, and this looked so good! I am so glad we tried it. The crust is different from any other pizza crust I have tried since it has the cornmeal baked right in. Our favorite part was definitely the sauce. So even if you use it in another pizza recipe, give it a try! It is so good!

Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza

adapted from Americas Test Kitchen

What you need for crust:
3 1/4 C flour
1/2 C yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
1 1/4 C warm water

Mix all crust ingredients together in mixer. (I used my Bosch mixer.) Since you are using instant yeast, you do not need to worry about activating the yeast first. Knead the dough in miser until it is fully incorporated and smooth Let dough rise in mixer until it has doubled in size, or you can transfer it to another bowl greased with some olive oil to let it rise. While it is rising, make your sauce.

For the sauce:

2 Tbsp butter

1/4 C grated yellow onion

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1 minced garlic clove

1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

1/4 tsp sugar

salt and pepper

2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil

Heat butter in pan. Add onion and oregano. Cook onion until moisture is drawn out and onion turns a golden brown. Add garlic clove, crushed tomatoes and sugar. Bring to a simmer, and reduce down for 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste and basil.

To put pizza together, divide the dough in to two, and spread out in two 9" cake pans. (I didn't have 9" so I used 8" and it worked fine.)  Make sure the dough goes up the whole side of the pan. Put about 1 1/2 C shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the crust. I know this is a little backwards, but I guess that is how they do it in Chicago! Then add half of your sauce. Put desired toppings on, we used turkey pepperoni, and sprinkle with some freshly grated parmesan cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes and 450 degrees, and let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan after you take it out of the oven. Slide the pizza out of the pan, slice and enjoy!!