Way back when, BA (before Annabelle), Matt and I went to Chicago for a friends wedding. We made a long weekend out of it and had tons of fun. One thing that was really good was the Chicago pizza. That deep dish, cheesy pie was wonderful!
When we got back home we decided to look up some recipes for making a Chicago style pizza at home. Now, lots of native Chicagoans will say to make a true Chicago pizza, you need Chicago water. Despite not having Chicago water, I think our pizza turned out quite nice.
Just a little FYI. In order to make Chicago pizza, you need about four hours (for the dough to rise).
Step One: Make the Dough
About a four hours before wanting to eat, start the dough. I use this recipe to make it.
Here is how my dough looks before it has risen.
It takes about 3 hours for the dough to rise.
Step Two: Make the Sauce
About 2 1/2 hours after you start the pizza dough, start on the sauce.
For the sauce put the following ingredients in a blender or food processor
~ 28oz can diced tomato, drained
~ small can tomato paste
~5-6 cloves garlic
~ 3 T oregano
~ 2 t Italian seasoning
~ Basil- liberal
~ dash of black pepper
Blend it up
Next dump everything into a sauce pan and add:
~ 1/2-1 cup of wine
~ some crushed red pepper (how much depends on how spicy you want it)
Let that simmer for about 30 minutes.
Step Three: Form the Crust
Pre- heat oven to 375
So, by the time you have the sauce simmering it should have been about 3 hours since you let your dough rise. Next up is forming the crust. Read more here about forming the crust.
First put dough in pan, let rest for 15 minutes.
When I do this I push the dough over the edge of the pan. I find it helps the crust stay in place better.
After letting the dough rest, punch some holes in the bottom with a fork and bake for 5 minutes.
Remove from oven and spread 1-2T olive oil on it, then salt and pepper the crust.
Step Four: Put the Pizza Together
First, layer fresh mozzarella cheese on the bottom, You can purchase it, or make your own, which is what we do.
Pepperoni goes on top of that.
Followed by the sauce.
Finally add about 2 cups of shredded mozzarella on top.
Step Five: Bake the Pizza
Finally bake the pizza for 45 minutes. In the end you will get a wonderful pizza!
Click here for a printable recipe of the pizza sauce.
Click here for a printable direction on making the whole pizza.