The Secret Behind Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

Summary

In this video, the host embarks on a journey to Chicago to explore the famed Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza, widely considered one of the best in the world. After a hands-on tour of the kitchen and learning the secrets behind the pizza's creation, including a hefty amount of cheese and sausage, the host attempts to make his own version of the iconic dish. Along the way, he learns the meticulous art of pizza-making, compares Chicago's deep dish to New York's style, and even gets a chance to taste the real thing. The video offers a fun, behind-the-scenes look at what makes Lou Malnati's pizza so beloved.

Takeaways

• 😀 Chicago is known for its iconic deep dish pizza, with Lou Malnati's being one of the most famous spots to try it.
• 😀 Making deep dish pizza is a meticulous process, involving layers of cheese, sausage, and tomatoes, with a focus on quality ingredients.
• 😀 The pans used for deep dish pizza are specially seasoned, creating a 'Patina' that enhances the flavor over time.
• 😀 The oven used for baking the pizzas is a bread oven, emphasizing the slow, methodical cooking process, which takes about 30 minutes for each pizza.
• 😀 Chicago deep dish pizza is distinct from New York-style pizza with its layers of cheese on the bottom, creating a thicker, more filling pizza.
• 😀 A critical part of deep dish pizza is its crust, which should be flaky and buttery, providing a complex texture.
• 😀 Making the pizza involves a sense of competition and skill, with an emphasis on precision and speed in the kitchen.
• 😀 The pizza dough is worked with a unique technique, ensuring the right thickness and consistency for a successful deep dish pizza.
• 😀 The sauce used in deep dish pizza is chunky and very juicy, contributing to the pizza's overall richness and flavor.
• 😀 Lou Malnati's staff takes pride in their deep dish pizza, with a fun and informal kitchen atmosphere, reflecting Chicago's food culture.
• 😀 Deep dish pizza is a hearty, filling meal best enjoyed slowly, and is perfect for sharing, often leaving leftovers.
• 😀 The pizza-making process is a blend of tradition and personality, with humorous moments and personal stories woven into the experience.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the video?

The video showcases a journey to Chicago to explore Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza and to understand what makes it one of the best in the world. The host also learns how to make a deep dish pizza from scratch.

What is the significance of the kitchen and the pizza pans at Lou Malnati's?

The kitchen at Lou Malnati's features specialized pizza pans that are seasoned over time, giving them a unique flavor. The 'patina' built up on these pans is essential for creating the distinct taste of their deep dish pizza.

Why do they use bread ovens at Lou Malnati's?

Lou Malnati's uses bread ovens because deep dish pizza takes about 25 minutes to bake, similar to baking bread. The ovens are specifically designed for long cooking times to achieve the perfect pizza.

What makes Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza unique compared to New York-style pizza?

The key difference is in the construction of the pizza: Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza has a thick layer of cheese on the bottom, followed by sausage, tomatoes, and a variety of seasonings, while New York-style pizza is much thinner and cooks much faster.

What is the cooking process for a deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's?

The pizza is baked in two stages. First, it cooks for about 25 minutes in a 500°F bread oven. Then, it's moved to a warming oven at 400°F for an additional 10 minutes to ensure the crust is fully cooked and crispy.

Why does the host refer to the pizza dough as 'bread dough'?

The dough for deep dish pizza is similar to bread dough in terms of consistency and preparation. It's panned out and pushed to the sides of the pizza pan, just like how bread dough is handled when making loaves.

What is the 'sewing machine' technique mentioned during pizza making?

The 'sewing machine' technique refers to the process of rolling sausage by hand and placing it around the pizza, ensuring it evenly covers the surface. The host compares it to the motion of a sewing machine's needle.

Why is there a large amount of sausage used in the pizza?

Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza is known for its rich, hearty layers, which include a generous amount of sausage. The host’s preference for extra sausage is part of creating a satisfying, filling pizza.

What makes the sauce in Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza different from other pizzas?

The sauce used in Lou Malnati's pizza is made with whole chunks of tomato, which are packed and sourced from California. The sauce is also quite wet, adding to the juicy texture of the pizza, which is a hallmark of deep dish pizza.

How does the host feel about the difference between New York-style and Chicago deep dish pizza?

The host acknowledges that New York-style pizza is faster and lighter, but deeply appreciates the hearty, filling nature of Chicago deep dish pizza. He compares the experience of eating deep dish pizza to having a complete meal rather than a quick snack.