Giadas Deep Dish Pizza Recipes

NONNO'S PIZZA

Steps:

• Combine the tomato puree, basil, kosher salt and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a small bowl. Allow to sit for 1 hour to let the flavors marry. Remove the pizza dough from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature for an hour as well.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil on a 9-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet. Stretch the dough in the oil, flipping it back and forth and stretching it to fit the baking sheet. Use your fingers to make a few dimples in the dough. Spread the sauce evenly over the top all the way to the edges. Bake until bubbly and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with the ricotta salata, oregano and flake salt. Cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Add the honey and yeast to 1 cup warm water. Stir to dissolve. Let the mixture to sit for 3 minutes to make sure the yeast is alive; it should foam and start to bubble.
• Place the flour and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the yeast mixture and mix on low speed until the mixture starts to come together. Turn the speed up to medium and mix for 8 minutes. The dough should start to pull away from the sides but still remain soft and slightly sticky at the bottom of the bowl. Add 1 extra tablespoon of flour if needed. Coat your hands in a bit of olive oil and form the dough into a ball. Place the dough in a bowl that is coated in olive oil. Cover with a towel and proof the dough in a warm place until it doubles in size, 1 hour.
• Knock down the dough and cut into 4 equal pieces if making small pizzas or simply reform into a ball if making one larger pizza and proof the dough for an additional 1 hour.
• The dough is now ready to use.

DEEP-DISH CHEESE PIZZA

Steps:

• Make the dough: Sprinkle the yeast over the hot water in a small bowl. Let stand until dissolved and slightly foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk the bread flour, all-purpose flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the yeast mixture into the well and add the olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, dust the dough with flour and knead, dusting with more flour as needed, until very smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Divide the dough into two 1-pound balls; wrap one ball in plastic and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature before using. Transfer the other ball of dough to a 9-inch round cake pan coated with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Cover and let the dough rise again until almost spread to the edges of the pan, about 1 hour.
• Make the pizza sauce: Combine the tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, sugar and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a medium bowl; season with more salt and sugar if needed. (Makes about 1 1/2 cups.)
• Make the pizza: Preheat the oven to 500˚ F (use the convection setting, if available) with a pizza stone, baking steel or inverted large baking sheet in the lower third of the oven. Press the dough to reach the edge of the pan, then press the dough up the sides to create a lip 1/2 to 3/4 inch higher than the center of the dough. Top the dough with 2 tablespoons Parmesan and sliced mozzarella, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Spread a heaping 1/2 cup pizza sauce over the cheese, almost to the edge. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
• Place the pan on the hot stone and bake the pizza until the crust is deep golden brown and any cheese poking through the sauce is lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, then loosen the edges with a small offset spatula and remove the pizza to a cutting board.