Discussion Thread -> "On a Budget" Throwdown (Entries and Quality ON TOPIC *CLEAN* Discussion Only)

Our new TD category is...

"On a Budget"




As chosen by Charred Apron for winning the "Ribs" Throwdown.

CATEGORY DESCRIPTION - READ BEFORE ENTERING

CharredApron said:

For the next category, "On a Budget" hasn't been done in a while and with the Holidays looming I thinks its a good time for it. Last time the budget was $15.00 USD. I am thinking deflation, lets keep the budget the same!
Thanks
:clap2:

Click to expand...

Sounds like a no brainer to me! What could possibly go wrong? :biggrin1:


You may submit entries that are cooked from Friday 10/31 through the entry submission deadline of 12 p.m. Central US Time on Monday 11/10/14.

Entry pictures must be submitted by 12 p.m. Central US Time on Monday 11/10.


Click here to READ THE RULES for the BBQ Brethren Throwdown...

Click here to READ THE RULES for the BBQ Brethren Throwdown...

The ENTRY and VOTE threads will follow Q-Talk rules, meaning QUALITY ON-TOPIC discussion of the category or entries only, please. Discussion is encouraged to take place in the DISCUSSION THREAD, but if you want a recipe, or are looking for details or have QUALITY ON-TOPIC comments to make about an entry or the category you can make them in the ENTRY or VOTE thread. Non-quality posts that are made here will be deleted and the offending member will be asked why they couldn't just post in the DISCUSSION thread instead, and in extreme cases or repeat offenders, disciplinary action WILL happen.


Best of luck and even better eats to all!

***Please Accept This as My Official Entry in the "On a Budget" Throwdown***

It’s been a while since I’ve done a deep dish pie. I’ve been loving the Blackstone Pizza/Patio oven so much I haven’t revisited this pizza style, but a few weeks ago, felt it was time to cook up one of these savory, rich, and hearty pies, especially with the fall weather upon us.

This time, I found a respected source for an authentic style Chicago style pizza dough, which you can see here:





The difference between “pan style” pizza vs Chicago deep dish is the high amount of oil in the Chicago style crust, which renders a very flaky, almost buttery crust. I followed the recipe to the letter. In addition, the sequence of toppings and sauce is totally different, with cheese on the bottom, then followed by toppings, then finally, the sauce. The only difference is I cooked the pizza on the grill, and using a cast iron skillet.

So let’s get started!

We made the dough as prescribed, along with my own homemade sauce, and let the dough sit covered tightly for about two hours. While we did this, we served our local kids treats and tricks.

When the last of the trick or treaters left, we brought in our decorations and started working on pizza construction.





I also fired up a full chimney of coals, and while those lit, cooked up some spicy Italian sausage:









Time to build the pie:





Dough fully formed to pan:





Now the first layer of cheese – sliced provolone:





A layer of mozzarella on top of the provolone:





Now the sausage:





It's important to note here that the sausage is usually put on raw, in a single layer covering the cheese, however, I just didn't want to go that route and clog my arteries prematurely. :biggrin1:


Pepperoni:






And sauce:





Typically, the sauce is then topped with grated Parmesan and nothing else, but I added a bit of mozzarella as well to give the top a firmer texture:








Kingsford Oval ready for action:



And on goes the pie!





About 15 minutes later:







I pulled the pizza when it had cooked a total of 35 minutes, and then let it rest. The filling of the pie was so molten, I could literally see it “jiggle” as I brought the pie in. I then let it rest for 10 minutes.

Out of the cast iron skillet:





Now sliced:





And here’s a close up, complete with steam coming out the top:



Please use the pic above as my entry shot, please!

So how was it? Well, it was pretty fantastic! Talk about a perfect blend of gooey, cheesy, savory goodness. The crust was flaky and pastry like, which is to be expected. I may experiment with a hybrid crust next time that is more like a regular pizza with a bit less oil so the dough is more bread-like, but overall, it was just delicious, and mighty filling!

Time for the math!

Let’s look at the cost of ingredients:

AP Flour: $.35
Mozzarella Cheese: $2.50 for 8oz
Provolone Cheese: $3.99 8oz(we used the ENTIRE 8 slices)

Pizza Sauce: $1.85
Sausage: 4 links were normally $2.99, but I got them at a whopping 75% off at$.74 x 50%=$.37!
Pepperoni: Large package was $3.99, and only used about 10% so I’m estimating $.50

Total Cost of Ingredients: $9.56, well under $15.00!

Great entry, Ron! Your entry has been entered. :thumb:

:tape:

OK, folks, that's a wrap!

Some especially fine entries on this one! Poll by peeps to be erected soon..