Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing
  • Kosher salt
  • 3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes with their juices
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
  • Yellow cornmeal, for dusting
  • 2 cups ( 1/2 pound) grated mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup ( 1/4 pound) grated fontina cheese
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Method

  • To prepare the pizza dough, pour the water into a large mixing bowl.
  • Sprinkle the yeast over it and let dissolve for 5 minutes.
  • Whisk in the oil and a pinch of salt.
  • Using a wooden spoon, mix in the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to make a soft and sticky dough.
  • Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth, about 8 minutes.
  • Brush another large mixing bowl with additional oil.
  • Divide the dough into 2 balls and transfer to the bowl.
  • Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 2 1/2 hours.
  • To prepare the tomato sauce, heat the oil over medium heat in a large nonreactive saucepan and saute the garlic until golden, about 2 minutes.
  • Do not let the garlic burn.
  • Add the tomatoes and their juices and salt and pepper to taste to the saucepan and simmer, uncovered, until the sauce is thickened, about 30 minutes.
  • Add the basil and cook a few minutes more.
  • Taste and adjust the seasonings, if necessary.
  • Preheat the oven to 450F and put a pizza stone or heavy-bottomed baking sheet in it to heat.
  • Flatten the dough on a surface dusted with cornmeal.
  • Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough to roughly 12 inches in diameter, about 1/4 inch thick.
  • Dust a pizza paddle or baking sheet with cornmeal and transfer the pizza dough onto it.
  • Working very quickly, spoon half the sauce over the dough and spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle half the cheeses evenly over the sauce, and top with half of the basil.
  • Slide the pizza onto the pizza stone or baking sheet and bake until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Repeat for the other pizza.
  • Some other great pizza combinations:
  • (These are just suggestions for preparations, so quantities of butter and oil for slow-cooking or sauteing are general.)
  • Caramelized red onions & gorgonzola cheese
  • Slowly cook 4 thinly sliced red onions in butter and olive oil for about an hour.
  • Spread the dough with the onions and sprinkle with about 1/4 pound of Gorgonzola cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Caramelized onions, goat cheese, & pancetta
  • Slowly cook 4 thinly sliced onions in butter and olive oil for about an hour.
  • Crumble about 1/4 pound of softened goat cheese into the onions.
  • Spread this mixture over the pizza dough and top with slices of pancetta.
  • Red & yellow bell peppers with mozzarella cheese & sausage
  • Slowly cook a mixture of 3 thinly sliced bell peppers, 3 thinly sliced onions, 2 thinly sliced garlic cloves, and salt and pepper in butter and olive oil for about an hour.
  • Sprinkle the dough with about 1/4 pound of mozzarella cheese and top with the pepper mixture.
  • Saute and drain about 1/4 pound of sausage meat and sprinkle over the pizza.
  • Tomato sauce, mushrooms, & taleggio cheese
  • Saute about 1 cup each fresh and wild mushrooms in butter and olive oil until browned and softened.
  • Spread the dough with tomato sauce and the cooked mushrooms.
  • Sprinkle with about 1/4 pound of Taleggio cheese and freshly ground black pepper.