Name: Deep Dish Pizza with Pretzel Crust
Prep time: 34 min
Cook time: 80 min
Total time: 115 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 0.75 cup warm water; 1 tsp active yeast; 0.25 tsp sugar; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1.5 cups flour; 0.5 tsp salt; 3 tbsp semolina flour or rice flour or almond flour; 1.5 tsp baking soda; 0.25 cup warm water; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 0.5 cup water; 1.5 cups vegan cheese sauce; 1 tbsp flour (to mix in the cheese sauce); 0.5 cup mushrooms (thinly sliced); 0.5 cup fresh basil or baby spinach (packed); 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil; null null pepper flakes (as needed)

Instructions

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1

To make the crust, add the warm water (0.75 cup), active yeast (1 tsp), and sugar (0.25 tsp) to a bowl. Mix well and let it sit for minutes (5) to activate the yeast. Then add the olive oil (1 tbsp), flour (1.5 cups), salt (0.5 tsp), and semolina flour or rice flour or almond flour (3 tbsp) and mix really well.
2

Press and mix to form the dough. If the dough is too sticky, add more [flour] tbsp (1) at a time. Cover the dough with a wet kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place or warm oven (110ºF to 130F) for at least minutes (45) to an hour until significantly risen.
3

Sprinkle some [flour] on the dough and transfer to a floured surface. Knead into a ball then transfer to a parchment-lined baking dish (7.5-inch cast iron, cake pan, or springform pan).
4

Using floured hands, push the dough to cover the pan and extend 1.5 to 2 inches up the sides. Let this dough rise near the warm oven for minutes (20).
5

Meanwhile, make the cornstarch slurry: mix the cornstarch (1 tbsp) in the water (0.5 cup) then heat the mix in a saucepan or microwave until boiling. Mix well to thicken evenly and set aside.
6

Make the baking soda wash: heat the warm water (0.25 cup) until hot. Mix baking soda (1.5 tsp) into the water. Brush the baking soda wash all over the crust, brushing twice on the edges.
7

Let the wash dry for 2-3 minutes. Then brush the cornstarch slurry all over the crust, especially on the edges. Bake the crust in a preheated 450ºF (230 C) oven for minutes (10) to minutes (11). Meanwhile, prep your toppings.
8

Add flour (1 tbsp) into the [vegan cheese sauce], mix well, and set aside. (If using a thick cheese sauce, you may not need the flour).
9

Remove the pizza crust from the oven. Fill it with the [vegan cheese sauce]. Spread the thinly sliced mushrooms (0.5 cup). Toss the packed fresh basil or baby spinach (0.5 cup) in extra virgin olive oil (2 tsp) and black pepper, then spread over the pizza. Add [pepper flakes as needed].
10

Optionally, brush the crust with a little [olive oil]. Return the pizza to the oven. Reduce heat to 400ºF and bake for minutes (16) to minutes (20) or until the sauce has thickened and edges are golden brown. Check at minutes (16) to prevent over-browning by adding parchment paper on top if needed.
11

Remove pizza from the oven and let it sit for minutes (5) for everything to settle. Slice and serve!