Buddy's Pizza

WJBK) -

Buddy's Pizza uses what's called a lean dough to make its famous 2-3 inch thick Detroit-style pizza crust. No oil or sugar is added. They proof it, or let it sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours until it rises, before it hits the oven.

Unlike most pizzas, Buddy's signature sauce sits on top of the cheese, not below it. Here is the recipe for the Lake Huron pizza from the Made in Michigan Great Lakes Pizza Collection, which features the Motor City Cheese Blend and the spinach artichoke blend:

Toppings

Motor City Cheese Blend (Fontinella, Asiago and brick cheeses)

Spinach artichoke blend (recipe below)

Roasted tomatoes

Fresh spinach

How to make the spinach artichoke blend

Ingredients

1 lb. artichoke hearts

1 ¼ cups mayonnaise

1 ¼ cups light mayonnaise

2 ½ oz. breadcrumbs

1/3 cup asiago cheese

2 tsp minced garlic

2 tsp minced Spanish onion

1 ½ tbls kosher salt

2 tsp white pepper

6 oz. fresh baby spinach

Step 1: Drain artichoke hearts and roughly chop. 

Step 2: Blanch the spinach by placing it in boiling water for 3 minutes.  Drain and cool by placing under cold running water.  Strain under all excess water has been removed. 

Step 3: Chop the drained spinach, making sure the stems have been thoroughly chopped.

Step 4: Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

How to re-create the Lake Huron pizza at home

Step 1: Make a lean dough – don't use oil or sugar. Weigh the dough into 10-16 ounce portions depending on your preference and roll each portion into a round ball.

Step 2: Place the dough ball in the square pan and press evenly until it covers the complete bottom of the pan completely, making sure that the sides are slightly pushed up around the perimeter.

Step 3: Spread shredded or ground cheese on the dough. Proof the cheesed pizza at room temperature for 1-2 hours, depending on preference.

Step 4: Lightly sauce the pizza with the spinach artichoke blend, on top of the cheese (not on the dough as traditional pizzas are usually made). Place pizza in a pre-heated oven at 450 degrees and bake to desired doneness. It will take approximately 20-30 minutes.

Step 5: Remove the pizza from the oven. Take a spatula and run along the inside of the pan to loosen the pizza from the sides.  Lift pizza out of the pan and cut to desired size pieces and serve. Enjoy!