How to Make New York Pizza: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Ingredients:

·Pizza Dough:

 4 cups bread flour

1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast

1 1/2 cups warm water

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

·Pizza Sauce:

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil

Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings:

Fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

Grated Parmesan cheese

Fresh basil leaves

Pepperoni slices

Olive oil (for drizzling)

Cornmeal (for dusting)

Instructions:

1. Make the Pizza Dough:

 a.In a small mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

 b.In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.

 c.Mix the dough until it comes together. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

 d.Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.

     2.Prepare the Pizza Sauce:

 a.In a saucepan, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.

 b.Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce on low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

3. Preheat the Oven:

 a.Preheat your oven to the highest setting (usually around 500°F or 260°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.

4. Shape the Pizza:

 a.Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal parts. On a floured surface, shape each piece into a round pizza crust. For a thin crust, roll it out to about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.

 b.Transfer the pizza dough to a pizza peel or an inverted baking sheet dusted with cornmeal. This helps the pizza slide off easily onto the pizza stone.

5. Add Sauce and Toppings:

 a.Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

 b.Add sliced mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and any other desired toppings.

6. Bake the Pizza:

 a.Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone in the oven. If you don’t have a pizza stone, you can bake the pizza on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

 b.Bake the pizza for about 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

7. Garnish and Serve:

 a.Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a minute or two.

 b.Drizzle the pizza with a bit of olive oil, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, and add fresh basil leaves for a burst of color and flavor.

 b.Slice the pizza, serve hot, and enjoy your homemade New York-style pizza!

Feel free to customize the recipe according to your preferences, and don't forget to include helpful tips and tricks to ensure your readers can successfully recreate this classic New York pizza at home. Happy cooking!