Recipe: Claire's Corner Copia Deep-Dish Gourmet Pizza (batter bread dough, make ahead)

DEEP-DISH GOURMET PIZZA

"This pizza is actually a savory batter bread, baked with vegetables, cheese, and Marinara Sauce. It's wonderfully aromatic. You can prepare the batter up to a day in advance. At Claire's we sometimes bake a layer of ricotta or mascarpone in the middle of this delicious pizza."

FOR THE PIZZA DOUGH:
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
Salt and black pepper to taste
3 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup olive oil
FOR TOPPING:
1 cup Marinara Sauce
2 cups sauteed mixture vegetables of your choice
4 ounces shredded fontina or mozzarella

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, Parmesan, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and olive oil. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry, all at once, then stir to mix.

Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, using a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl and smooth the batter. Spoon the Marinara Sauce evenly over the batter.

Bake for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and spoon the sauteed vegetables evenly over the top of the pizza. Sprinkle the fontina or mozzarella evenly over the top. Return to the oven and continue baking about 10 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out nearly dry.

Cut into serving pieces. Serve with additional Marinara Sauce if desired.

Makes 4 servings
Source: Claire's Corner Copia Cookbook by Claire Criscuolo