AS PROMISED; “ERNIE`S "IMOS" PIZZA”

                        Here in St Louis there is a large variety of pizzas available, Domino's, Imo's, Pizza Hut,
Papa Johns, Guido's, Happy Joe's, Cecil Whittaker's, Little Caesar, etc., etc, to mention a few.

                        Over the years, Donna and I have probably tasted most of them and our favorite by a long, long shot is Imo's. I believe, the thin crust and incredible flavorful pizza is also the favorite of 8 people out of 10 here, which makes Imo's the most famous in St Louis. The Problem, it is also the most expensive one.

                        So my mission was to duplicate Imo's pizza for a fraction of the price. After several tryouts, changing around some ingredients, cheese mixtures and oven temperature, I arrived to the perfect pizza, approved by my “picky” family.
Here it is:

                       CRUST:                               10 oz flour all purpose
                                                                    ½ tsp salt
                                                                     1 tsp baking powder
                                                                     2 tsp olive oil
                                                                     2 tsp dark corn syrup
                                                                     5 oz water

                                      Place flour in bowl, mold a hole in the middle and add the rest of the ingredients,

mix with wooden spoon and end up kneading the tough with your hands. Cut dough in 2 parts and form into wheels.This recipe makes two 16 inch pizzas. Use a rolling pin and flour to roll out dough. Place dough on

pizza pan sprinkle with cornmeal.You can freeze left over dough and use whenever you like.

Dough ready to be rolled out or stored in freezer

for a later date

                      SAUCE:                              16 oz can whole tomatoes, drained
                                                                   6 oz tomato paste
                                                                  1.5 tbs sugar
                                                                   1   tsp basil
                                                                  1.5 tsp salt
                                                                 1.25 tsp thyme

                                    Place all ingredients in food processor and blend.This will be enough sauce
for four 16 inch pizzas



                       CHEESE:                             4 oz grated white cheddar cheese
                                                                   2 oz grated Swiss cheese
                                                                   2 oz grated provolone cheese

                                   Mix before placing on pizza, This 8 oz mix is perfect for a 16 inch pizza unless you like extra cheese.


                     ASSEMBLE PIZZA:

                                   Spread sauce on dough, sprinkle 2 0z of cheese, then your favorite toppings,
(Donna and I prefer sausage, bacon, onions and jalapeños) add the rest of the cheese.
                                  Mix oregano, thyme and basil and sprinkle a little over pizza before baking
Bake for 12 minutes in 400 degree oven on the bottom rack so the dough gets crunchy.
To be authentic, cut pizza in to squares.

Enjoy