Deep Dish Pan Pizza

I have a husband who is not particularly fond of Pizza . . .  or pasta as you know.  He says he hate Italian food . . .  but he really just means he hates Pizza and pasta . . .  I keep reminding him that Italians eat a lot more than that!  Bake a pizza in a cake tin, and call it a tart and he is quite happy to eat it however.  A woman has to do what a woman has to do.  ☺

 

I made these deep dish pizzas the other day and he quite enjoyed them.  I told him they were tarts and he was oblivious.   He had two helpings without complaining.



I quite like these deep dish pizzas.  They have a nice chewy crust.   Todd doesn't like anything being too hard.  I make my own pizza sauce. I have done for years. It's a very good and flavourful one.  Nice and thick also.  You can find that recipe here. 

 

I think any pizza is only as good as it's crust and it's sauce.  If you get those two right, the rest simply enhances what is already a very good thing.



I like lots of cheese on mine and I am quite fond of olives, onions and peppers.  I like pepperoni also, but Todd doesn't.  I added a couple of hot dogs thinly slced the other day and they were quite good.

 

In any case, if you are looking for a good deep dish pan pizza recipe with a good crust and a well flavoured sauce, you need look no further.  This one will surely fit the bill.

*Deep Dish Pan Pizza*

Makes 2 9-inch pan pizzas 

Printable Recipe 

A delicious homemade pizza, with a lovely thick crust and just the right amount of toppings. 

180ml of warm water (aout 3/4 cup)

1 tsp active dry yeast

1 tsp caster sugar

245g of plain  flour (1 3/4 cup)

1 tsp salt
2 to 3 tsp olive oil

120ml of pizza sauce (1/2 cup)

120g of shredded strong cheddar cheese (1 cup)

130g of mozzarella cheese, grated (1 cup)

45g of finely grated Parmesan Cheese (1/4 cup)

freshly ground black pepper

other toppings as desired (onions, olives, pepperoni, sliced hot dogs, mushrooms, etc.) 

Heat the water to just warm.   Dissolve the yeast and sugar in the water.  Let sit to prove.  Combine the flour and salt in a bowl.   Slowly add the water and yeast mixture along with the olive oil.   Knead with lightly greased hands until you have a soft dough which comes together and is smooth.  Shape into a ball.   Transfer to a lightly greased bowl.  Cover and allow to rise in a warm location for 60 to 90 minutes. 

Preheat the oven to 230*C/450*F/ gas mark 7.  Lightly butter 2 9-inch cake tins.  Punch the dough down and divide in half.  Press into the bottoms of the cake tins to cover the bottoms and 1/2 inch up the sides.   Allow to rest for a few minutes.  Spread about 4 TBS of sauce on each.  Divide the cheese between each prepared crust.   Season with some black pepper and then add other toppings as desired. 

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until puffed and golden.  Slide out onto a board to cut into wedges.   Serve warm.



 *Marie's Pizza Sauce*
Makes enough for two pizzas
Printable Recipe



This is a really good pizza sauce recipe. After experimenting through the years with different types of tomatoes, sauces and spices I think I have come up with what is a real winner. Delicately spiced. The sauce is what makes a pizza in my opinion!



2 cups of tomato passata (seived tomatoes)
1/4 cup tomato paste (sundried tomato paste is nice sometimes for a change)
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp onion powder
1 1/2 tsp dried basil leaves
1 tsp dried oregano leaves
1/4 tsp chinese five spice powder
seasalt and freshly ground black pepper to taste



Put all the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid, slightly ajar and simmer on low for about 15 minutes. Let cool before using.