Detroit-Style Pepperoni Pizza

Baked in a rectangular cast iron pan with the sauce on top and bubbly cheese that goes all the way along the edges, this Detroit-Style Pepperoni Pizza features two kinds of pepperoni as well as Provolone, Mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheese. With an unbeatable texture and mix of flavors, Detroit Style Pizza might be Chef Tom’s new favorite kind of pizza.

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Recipe from Chef Tom Jackson
https://www.atbbq.com

INGREDIENTS

  • 185g warm water (110°F)
  • 5g dry active yeast
  • 255g Antimo Caputo “00” flour
  • 7g (1 1/2 tsp) Jacobsen Black Garlic Salt
  • 5g granulated sugar

  • RED SAUCE
  • 2 tbsp Saica Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Cattleman’s Grill Italiano Seasoning
  • 1 can Ciao San Marzano Tomatoes, crushed by hand

  • TOPPINGS
  • 6 oz provolone slices
  • 3 oz low moisture mozzarella, grated
  • 3 oz monterrey jack, grated
  • 12 large sandwich size pepperonis (50g/1.8 oz)
  • 40 small cup n crisp pepperonis (67g/2.33 oz)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Install the Yoder Smokers Wood Fired Oven inside the Yoder Smokers YS640S Pellet Grill and set the grill temperature to 500ºF.
  2. In a small measuring pitcher combine the warm water, sugar and yeast. Let still to bloom/foam for about 5 minutes. Transfer to the Vitamix food processor. Blitz briefly, just until dough is formed and fairly smooth. Transfer to a proofing container/bowl coated with extra virgin olive oil. Proof until doubled in size.
  3. Transfer the dough to a Lodge Cast Iron Casserole Dish coated in extra virgin olive oil. Press to flatten and stretch, but don’t tear. It doesn’t need to cover the entire bottom of the pan yet. Cover with plastic. Let rest 20 minutes, then uncover and press and stretch the dough until it reaches the edges of the pan.
  4. To make the red sauce, first heat the oil in a Lodge Enameled Dutch Oven. Add the garlic and Cattleman’s Grill Italiano and fry over medium heat until fragrant and just starting to brown. Add the hand crushed tomatoes and sugar. Cook to reduce down to 2 cups.
  5. To build the Detroit Style Pepperoni Pizza, first lay out the large pepperonis over the dough, covering most of the surface. Top the pepperonis with the cheeses, making sure the slices and shredded cheeses are spread all the way to the edges of the pizza. Top the cheeses with the red sauce, pouring/spooning it over the top without spreading it out. Spread out the small pepperoni cups over the top of the sauce.
  6. Transfer the baking dish to the wood-fired oven. Cook with the door closed for 12-14 minutes, spinning halfway through. You can check for doneness by lifting the edges/bottom with a spatula. The bottom should be golden brown and the edges beginning to blacken with the cooked cheeses.
  7. Remove the baking dish from the grill. Using a spatula, transfer the Detroit Style Pepper Pizza to a wire rack over a sheet pan to cool slightly. This is help keep the bottom crispy until ready to serve. Transfer to a cutting board and slice into 12 square slices while still warm.