Name: Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: pizza dough -; pizza sauce -; pepperoni -; mozzarella cheese -; olive oil -; garlic powder -; oregano -; parmesan cheese -

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Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza is dripping with Mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, pepperoni all topped in a thick deep crust.

Friday nights were "Boomers" Pizza Nights back in the world. "Boomers Party Store and Pizza" is this little unassuming convenience store that has everything from groceries, beer, bait and the best pizza you have ever had. My family thinks it is in the alkalinity of the well water that makes the crust so delicious. I think it is their homemade sauce and garlic buttery crust. Whatever the reason, if you ever stray to Brighton in your world travels a must stop is Boomers Party Store and Pizza located at 8999 Hamburg Rd, Brighton, MI 48116.

History of Pizza

Pizza in Italian is the word for pie. Pizza was a delicious treat that first invented in Naples around the medieval times and is generally made with a thin crust with tomato sauce, cheese and toppings baked in a stone oven. Pizza came to America with Italian immigrants of the 19th century but has enjoyed its American boom principally since World War ll. It first became popular in port cities like New York and San Francisco, gradually moving inland until today it is featured at more than 15,000 pizzerias from Boston to San Diego – even in Hawaii. It is more popular in America than in Italy, where it is most frequently served as an appetizer. However, the Chicago-style "deep-dish" pizza was invented at Pizzeria Uno, in Chicago, Illinois in 1943 by Rudy Malnati. Chicago style deep dish pizza is an amazing invention with a thick deep crust, about 1 pound of mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, and all of the fixings in a deep dish pan. This little creation must be eaten with a knife and fork and not with your hands because of all the delicious overflow of toppings.

Making Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza with friends and family is an easy and fun activity to do together. To my dear Pine Valley Athletic Club members this is a tribute to you.

Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza
As the goal of the weekend is to have fun I have used some easy prep/ pre-made ingredients so you can have more time enjoying family and friends and less time laboring in the kitchen.

1 cast iron pan or deep dish pan- greased
2 packages of pre-made pizza crust (made according to directions)
1 (15 ounces) jar pizza sauce
6 ounces thinly sliced pepperoni (or any other toppings you wish like cooked italian sausage, olives, green peppers, onions, mushrooms- whatever you wish)
16 ounces (approximately 4 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
garlic powder (optional)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
parmesan cheese (optional)

Step 1: Preheat oven to 475 F (246 C) and invite your friends and family into the kitchen to help with the fun preparation.

Step 2: Make 2 pre-made pizza crusts with warm water and follow directions on package

Step 3: Let pizza dough rest for 5 minutes covered and then work the dough

Step 4: Grease iron skillet with olive oil

Step 5: Place pizza dough in iron skillet and spread out evenly on bottom and sides of pan.

Step 6: Add ⅓ of the mozzarella cheese directly on top of dough

Step 7: Add ½ the pepperoni or ½ of any toppings you wish

Step 8: Add ½ pizza sauce and spread evenly on top

Step 9: Repeat steps by adding ⅓ mozzarella cheese, the other half of pepperoni, sprinkle of dried oregano, parmesan cheese, or any other toppings, and the last half of the pizza sauce.

Step 10: Final topping is the last ⅓ of mozzarella cheese or as needed to completely cover the top of pizza

Step 11: Very lightly brush side top crusts with small amount olive oil and shake on small amount of garlic powder- optional.

Step 12: Put Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza in oven for about 30 minutes. (if top or sides of pizza start to brown too quickly tent over a piece of aluminum foil to prevent burning.)

Step 13: Take pizza out of oven, let set for 5 minutes to rest, then take sharp knife and run around the edges of the crust.

Step 14: Cut into pizza wedges with fork and knife and enjoy. One piece of Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza is very filling and along with a nice tossed salad makes a very delicious and fun weekend meal.