Pizza Recipe – Chicago Deep Dish
Chicago seems to be in the news quite a bit these days. Folks may not realize that Chicago has always been a great food town. I prefer deep-dish pizza. You can pack quite a meal in one pizza pie. With the tight economy, this meal will not break your budget and will allow you to possibly have leftovers.
Chicago-Style pizza is a deep-dish pizza style developed in Chicago. The term also sometimes refers to “stuffed” pizza, another Chicago style. True Chicago-style pizza features a buttery crust with generous amounts of cheese and chunky tomato sauce. If and when you are in Chicago, be sure to visit these deep-dish establishments:
- Aurelios
- Connie’s
- Edwardo’s
- Giordanos
- Gino’s East
- Home Run Inn
- Jake’s
- Lou Malnati’s
- Nancy’s
- Pizzeria Uno
- Rosati’s
Chicago Deep Dish
1 package rapid-rise active yeast (1/4 ounce)
1 cup warm water, between 105 to 115 degrees F
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
1 pound cooked Italian sausage, crumbled
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, well drained
1 teaspoon dried sweet basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1. In the mixing bowl add the warm water, yeast and sugar, stir with a whisk. Add 2 cups of the flour, salt, cornmeal and olive oil. Use the paddle and mix on speed 2 for 2 minutes. Put on the dough hook and add the remaining flour. Knead on speed 2 until the dough clings to the hook, then knead on speed 2 for 5 minutes longer. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover. Let rise for 1 hour.
2. With oiled fingers press the dough into a deep-dish pizza pan. Cover the dough with the mozzarella, then top with the sausage. Place the tomatoes over the sausage. Top with the basil, oregano and Parmesan cheese. Bake in a 500 degrees F oven for 15 minutes.
3. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F and bake for 20 minutes, or until the crust is brown.
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