Pizza Hut

Okay. I'll say it.

Ben and I LOVE Pizza Hut's pan pizza. We think it's part nostalgia, because clearly we have experienced the finest of what Chicago pizzerias have to offer us (which is a LOT). However, there is just something about the way pizza hut's crust is both crispy and soft. It's a poor man's pizza dream. And with all of these new commercials and $10.00 specials, pizza hut has become a part of our conversation again.

So, we got to thinking. Could we replicate a pizza hut pan pizza?

The answer is yes. Yes we can, and yes we did.

We found this recipe online, and tried it tonight. It literally has a profound amount of oil, so if you can't handle it I understand. But, you've just got to tell yourself that you've eaten this much oil every OTHER time you've had pizza hut. Why not now, even when you're aware of it? :)

Please, please try this when you don't have money to go out on a date night. (Or even when you do.) We are LOVING this tonight. Just LOOK at how much ours looks like the real deal!

Recipe:

Ingredients:
1 1/3 cup Warm water (105F)
1/4 cup Non-fat dry milk
1/2 teaspoon Salt
4 cups Flour
1 tablespoon Sugar
1 pk. Dry yeast
2 tablespoons Vegetable oil (for dough)
9 ounces Vegetable oil (3 oz. per pan)
Butter flavored Pam
***Sauce: ***
1 (8 Ounce) Can Tomato Sauce
1 teaspoon Dry Oregano
1/2 teaspoon Marjoram
1/2 teaspoon Dry Basil
1/2 teaspoon Garlic salt

Directions:

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 Pam. 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: 1. Preheat oven to 475F 2. Spoon 1/3 cup sauce on dough and spread to within 1" of edge. 3. Distribute 1 1/2 Oz. shredded mozzarella cheese on sauce. 4. Place toppings of your choice in this order: Pepperoni or Ham Vegetables Meats (cooked ground sausage or beef) 5. Top with 3 Oz. mozzarella cheese 6. Cook until cheese is bubbling and outer crust is brown.