Godfather's Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza

INGREDIENTS:

1 package (.25 ounce size) rapid-rise active yeast
1 cup warm water, between 105-115 degrees F
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
1 pound cooked Italian sausage, crumbled
1 can (28 ounce size) diced tomatoes, well drained
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

PREPARATION:

In the mixing bowl add the warm water, yeast and sugar, stir with a whisk. Add 2 cups of the flour, salt, cornmeal and olive oil. Use the paddle and mix on speed 2 for 2 minutes.

Put on the dough hook and add the remaining flour. Knead on speed 2 until the dough clings to the hook, and then knead on speed 2 for 5 minutes longer. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover. Let rise for 1 hour.

With oiled fingers press the dough into a deep-dish pizza pan.

Cover the dough with the mozzarella, and then top with the sausage. Place the tomatoes over the sausage. Top with the basil, oregano and Parmesan cheese.

Bake in a 500 degrees F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F and bake for 20 minutes, or until the crust is brown.

NUTRITION:
862 calories, 50 grams fat, 60 grams carbohydrates, 42 grams protein per serving.

Vegetable Pizza

INGREDIENTS:

16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1 package refrigerated crescent rolls
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped cauliflower
1/2 cup black olives

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Press out crescent rolls in a jelly roll pan and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

Mix together the cream cheese, mayonnaise and ranch dressing mix. Pour on top of cooled crescents. Spread the chopped vegetables over pan and top with shredded cheese. Chill several hours or overnight.

NUTRITION:
417 calories, 39 grams fat, 15 grams carbohydrates, 6 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in carbs.

Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried minced onion
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 tablespoons water
8 small (6-inch diameter) flour tortillas
1 cup shortening or cooking oil
1 can (16 ounce size) refried beans
1/3 cup diced tomato
2/3 cup mild picante sauce
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup sliced black olives

PREPARATION:

Cook the ground beef over medium heat until brown, then drain off the excess fat from the pan. Add salt, onions, paprika, chili powder and water, then let mixture simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Stir often.

Heat oil or shortening in a frying pan over medium-high heat. If oil begins to smoke, it is too hot. When oil is hot, fry each tortilla for about 30-45 seconds per side and set aside on paper towels. When frying each tortilla, be sure to pop any bubbles that form so that tortilla lays flat in oil. Tortillas should become golden brown.

Heat up refried beans in a small pan over the stove or in the microwave.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. When meat and tortillas are done, stack each pizza by first spreading about 1/3 cup refried beans on face of one tortilla.

Next spread 1/4 to 1/3 cup of meat, then another tortilla. Coat your pizzas with two tablespoons of salsa on each, then split up the tomatoes and stack them on top.

Next divide up the cheese, onions and olives, stacking in that order. Place pizzas in your hot oven for 8-12 minutes or until cheese on top is melted.

NUTRITION:
787 calories, 43 grams fat, 62 grams carbohydrates, 38 grams protein per serving.

Beefy Hash Brown Pizza

INGREDIENTS:

5 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
1 can (10.75 ounce size) cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can (4 ounce size) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 can (15 ounce size) pizza sauce
4 cups shredded Italian-blend cheese, divided

 

PREPARATION:

In a bowl, combine the potatoes, soup, egg, salt and pepper. Spread mixture into a greased 15-in x 10-in x 1-in baking pan.

Bake at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and mushrooms over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in pizza sauce; keep warm.

Sprinkle half the cheese over hot crust. Spread meat mixture over the top; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

NUTRITION:
987 calories, 67 grams fat, 47 grams carbohydrates, 50 grams protein per serving.

California Pizza

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon honey
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
10 ounces chicken breast, boned and skinned
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons barbecue sauce PLUS
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
2 cups Gouda cheese
1/4 small red onion, sliced into rings
2 tablespoons cilantro

PREPARATION:

To make the dough: In a small bowl, dissolve the honey in the warm water. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and stir until it dissolves. Let the yeast mixture stand for 5 minutes, until a layer of foam forms on the surface. In a large bowl, combine the flour and the salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the olive oil and the yeast mixture. Stir the flour into the wet ingredients, until all the flour is incorporated. If its too dry, add more water. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for 15 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a ball and put in in a well-oiled bowl. Cover with a moist towel and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk (about 1 1/2 hours).

One hour before baking the pizzas, start preheating the oven with pizza stones inside at 500 degrees F.

For the Chicken: In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil on medium high heat. Add chicken pieces. Saute until cooked (6 minutes). Chill. Coat chicken with 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce. Set aside in the refrigerator.

For the Pizza: Punch the dough down, and divide into equal serving portions. Roll out each portion into an 6-8 inch flat circle. Spread 1/4 cup barbecue sauce over the surface of the dough. Distribute 1/2 of the cheese over the sauce. Distribute 1/2 of the chicken over the cheese. Place half of the onion rings over the chicken pieces. Place the pizza in the oven (on top of pizza stones). Bake until crust is crispy and cheese is bubbling (8-10 minutes). Remove pizzas from the oven and sprinkle each with 1/2 of the cilantro.

NUTRITION:
708 calories, 22 grams fat, 84 grams carbohydrates, 42 grams protein per serving.

Pizza Hut

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/3 cup warm water (105 degrees F)
1/4 cup non-fat dry milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 package dry yeast
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for dough)
9 ounces vegetable oil (3 ounce per pan)
butter flavored cooking spray
***Sauce***
1 can (8 ounce size) tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dry oregano
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dry basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

PREPARATION:

Put yeast, sugar, salt, and dry milk in a large (2 qt.) bowl. Add water and stir to mix well. Allow to sit for two minutes. Add oil and stir again. Add flour and stir until dough forms and flour is absorbed.

Turn out on to a flat surface and knead for about 10 minutes. Divide dough into three balls. In three 9" cake pans, put 3 Oz. of oil in each making sure it is spread evenly. Using a rolling pin, roll out each dough ball to about a 9" circle. Place in cake pans.

Spray the outer edge of dough with cooking spray. Cover with a plate. Place in warm area and allow to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Sauce:

Combine ingredients and let sit for 1 hour.

For Each Nine Inch Pizza: Preheat oven to 475 degrees F Spoon 1/3 cup sauce on dough and spread to within 1" of edge. Distribute 1 1/2 Oz. shredded mozzarella cheese on sauce. Place toppings of your choice in this order: Pepperoni or Ham Vegetables Meats (cooked ground sausage or beef) Top with 3 Oz. mozzarella cheese Cook until cheese is bubbling and outer crust is brown.

NUTRITION:
1143 calories, 72 grams fat, 108 grams carbohydrates, 17 grams protein per serving.