Chicago Tavern Style Pizza

Chicago Tavern Style Pizza is a is a crispy, thin crust pizza cut into squares as opposed to wedges. 

You will need:

Dough:

• 720g all-purpose flour
• 50g cornmeal
• 10g sugar
• 12g salt
• 6g yeast
• 70g Olive Oil (plus more for coating)
• 380g room temp water

Sauce:

• 1 (28 oz) can Ciao San Marzano Whole Tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed, peeled
• ½ tbsp salt

Toppings:

• Low moisture mozzarella, grated
• Grated Parmesan
• Pepperonis
• Italian Seasoning

Directions

Mix Dough

STEP 1:

Combine all dry ingredients in a food processor. Drizzle water and oil while the processor is running.

STEP 2:

Let the dough form into a ball and transfer it to an oiled container.

Knead Dough

STEP 1:

Dump the dough onto your work surface, knead by hand until smooth.

STEP 2:

Form into a ball, transfer to an oiled container, cover, and refrigerate for a minimum of 24 hours and up to 5 days.

Roll Dough Balls

STEP 1:

The day before baking, turn the dough out onto the work surface, divide into two portions, and roll into dough balls.

STEP 2:

Place each in a small oiled bowl, cover, and let rest for 2-3 hours.

Roll Out Dough

STEP 1:

Transfer each dough ball to a floured surface and roll it out to 12-14” in diameter. Use a dough docker or fork to dock both sides, and let it chill uncovered in the refrigerator for 8 to 24 hours until cured and visibly dry on top.
*If pressed for time, this process can be done at a cool room temperature, though re-rising issues may arise. This process entails placing the thin rolled skins on parchment and on wire racks and letting them sit out on the counter for a minimum of 6 hours, uncovered. This will dry the dough out and help to achieve the cracker-like crust.

Combine Sauce Ingredients

STEP 1:

In a bowl, combine all sauce ingredients. Preheat a pot on the cooktop, add olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.

STEP 2:

Pour in the pre-mixed sauce and cook until thickened, then refrigerate to cool completely.

Preheat oven

STEP 1:

Preheat your oven to 475-500ºF and let it preheat for 30-45 minutes.

Roll out dough and layer toppings

STEP 1:

Transfer the dried pizza dough disc to your work surface (flour may be required if dough is still fairly wet). Top with sauce, sprinkle Italian seasoning and parmesan, add mozzarella, pepperonis, and finish with more parmesan.

Prepare pizza pan and launch pizza

STEP 1:

Dust a peel (if needed), slide the peel under the pizza. Launch the pizza into the oven and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes.

Brown and turn pizza

STEP 1:

After a couple of minutes, rotate the pizza for even cooking.

STEP 2:

Continue cooking until the cheese is browned and the bottom is crispy but not burnt (7-9 minutes).

Remove pizza from oven and serve

Slice into squares and enjoy your homemade pizza!