Recipe: Gloria Pitzer's Buddy Pizza Clone (no yeast)

GLORIA PITZER'S BUDDY PIZZA CLONE

"BUDDY'S PIZZA is a Detroit based operation that has for years enjoyed a singular success for it's unusual crust. While his recipe remains a closely guarded secret, I couldn't help but try to imitate it at home -- Afterall, it's a hundred mile trip there and back to have the real thing.

Because I also like to avoid the yeast crust. it gave me a chance to experiment with a no-yeast recipe that can be mixed with a spoon and patted into a prepared pan --which in this case, Sicilian style, is made in a jelly roll pan (10x15x1-inches). Our 16-year old daughter can whip one up in no time, so surely the experienced cook can, tool!"

FOR THE CRUST:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry dill weed (optional)
1 tsp. dry oregano leaves
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
2 1/4 cups self-raising flour (no substitutes)

Combine all ingredients for the crust just as listed, using sturdy spoon to mix well. Be sure every dry particle is completely moistened.

Let dough rest while you prepare the pan, and here is the secret of the crust. First you grease a jelly roll pan and after applying a generous coating of Crisco over the entire pan, also spray it Baker's Joy or Pam. This will give the bottom of the crust a rich, almost buttery texture without affecting the top part of the crust --which is what Buddy's Pizza is all about! The top of the crust, should bake up just like bread if you do this.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F - while you assemble the other layers for the pizza.

After preparing the pan, wet your hands with cold water and pat the dough evenly over bottom of pan. If dough begins to stick the least bit to your fingers, wet your hands again, continuing to do so until the dough has been evenly patted over bottom of pan.

NOW THE REMAINING INGREDIENTS:
(1) Spread 2 cans (8 oz. each) pizza sauce over crust. (OR use instead a 10 oz. can Tomato soup mixed well with 1/4 tsp. Anise extract, 1/4 tsp. dry oregano leaves, 1/2 tsp garlic salt, 1/2 tsp. onion salt, dash of pepper)

(2) Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan over sauce in even layer.

(3) Over the Parmesan spread 8 oz. shredded Mozzarella.

(4) Spread 8 oz. sliced pepperoni over that.

(5) 8 oz. can drained mushrooms over that.

(6) You also have the option of adding 4 or 5 thin slices boiled ham, cut into matchstick pieces.

Pop it into the oven at 350 degrees F - for 15 minutes and increase heat to 400 degrees F - for another 10 minutes or till toppings begin to bubble and cheese is well melted. Let stand about 5 minutes before you attempt to cut it into serving pieces.

Serves 4 to 6 --OR one teenager!
Source: Gloria Pitzer's Better Cookery Cookbook, Page 113