Monday, January 10, 2011

Books and Pizza

OK, just pizza.  I know this is primarily a book blog, but I was so proud of this creation, I had to post it for the whole world to see:


Yes, this is a genuine Chicago-style deep dish pizza made ALL BY MYSELF.  The larger one has sausage, mushrooms and peppers and the smaller one has pepperoni, mushrooms and sausage (for my husband, who ate the entire thing in one sitting).  It's pretty darn close to the real thing.  It's the closest thing you'd get to Chicago pizza in Texas.  Thank you for the recipe, Cooks Illustrated magazine!

Let's have another look:


Yep, that's pretty wonderful.  But it's all gone!  I made them for my husband (and children) in honor of the BCS football game, which they are currently watching.  I'm actually going to retire to the bedroom and watch the first season of Upstairs, Downstairs, which could not be more unlike football.  If you know me, this will come as no surprise.

17 comments:

  1. I'm a pizza junkie ... this looks delicious!!

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  2. I really need to have real chicago pizza sometime! Only not with mushrooms and peppers. :D

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  3. I....seriously wish I could have that pizza to eat while watching the BCS game. I am dreaming of that pizza. :p

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  4. Oh my goodness... these are perfect!! I make pizza, but have never tried Chicago-style. Surely these tasted as good as they look.

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  5. LOOKS SOOOOO GOOD! Makes me feel starving.

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  6. Jenners -- it was really good. I lived in Chicago for ten years so I was excited to make something so much like the real thing.

    Amanda -- did you get any pizza last year when you went to ALA?

    Jenny -- the recipe took time but it really wasn't that hard. I did make my own crust though. It was from Cook's Illustrated Jan/Feb 2010.

    Verity -- thanks! Do they have deep-dish pizza in the UK or mostly thin crust?

    JoAnn -- It is a Chicago specialty. I've even bought them mail order and they're pretty good, but it was fun to make it myself. Not difficult but time-consuming.

    Maiko -- Thanks! And I hope you're not starving!

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  7. Those look wonderful. I'm usually a thin crust girl, but I could be tempted!

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  8. Hmm, they look really good! I don't actually know how to make a deep-pan pizza, but as it happened, today I made a pizza (thin crust) with my kids. Even at 12 and 13 they love to help out with the preparation. I love home-made pizza!

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  9. Fleurfisher -- Chicago has two kinds of thick pizza, deep-dish and stuffed. This kind is my favorite. Knives and forks required!

    Leeswammes -- my kids couldn't be bothered to help this time, sadly. But this was the best homemade pizza I'd ever made.

    Coffee and a Book Chick -- now that I've mastered uploading my own photos I'll have to post more. Maybe something chocolate, finally.

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  10. Go you! I've visited Chicago a lot (went to college in Illinois), and I'm so glad I didn't develop a gluten intolerance until later. hehe

    Also, what a coincidence: the first DVD of season one of Upstairs, Downstairs is waiting for me at the library! Were you inspired by news of the remake? I was.

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  11. Looks absolutely delicious! I never even considered making a deep dish at home...is that a recent issue of Cooks Illustrated? I am like you...if sports are on the tube, I am either reading or watching something British:)

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  12. Eva -- where did you go to school? I did my undergrad in Illinois also, at Northwestern. I ended up staying for ten years, hence, my love of Chicago pizza. And I was inspired by the remake of Upstairs, Downstairs to watch the original. I liked the first episode but I wasn't in love with the second so I've stopped, but I really want to try it again.

    Stacy -- it wasn't hard, just time consuming. It was from Cooks Illustrated Jan/Feb 2010. And I never watch sports, when my husband is watching I usually watch a costume drama or see a movie he'd never watch. So it all works out.

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  13. Looks FABUlous! Mmmmmmmm. Would I have to have that kind of pan, though? oh well, I'll seek out the recipe and then make my husband create it. :)

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  14. I would say this is pretty impressive. I am going to try making clafouti-like you the one time I had it it was unbelievable I am not sure I could replicate it.

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  15. That is one extremely good-looking pizza! Am waiting for mine to be delivered as I write this (friday night is pizza and red wine night) and have become suddenly ravenous...

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