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1
To prepare the pizza dough, pour the water into a large mixing bowl.
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2
Sprinkle the yeast over it and let dissolve for 5 minutes.
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3
Whisk in the oil and a pinch of salt.
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4
Using a wooden spoon, mix in the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to make a soft and sticky dough.
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5
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth, about 8 minutes.
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6
Brush another large mixing bowl with additional oil.
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7
Divide the dough into 2 balls and transfer to the bowl.
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8
Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 2 1/2 hours.
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9
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.
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10
Do not let the garlic burn.
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11
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.
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12
Add the basil and cook a few minutes more.
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13
Taste and adjust the seasonings, if necessary.
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14
Preheat the oven to 450F and put a pizza stone or heavy-bottomed baking sheet in it to heat.
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15
Flatten the dough on a surface dusted with cornmeal.
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16
Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough to roughly 12 inches in diameter, about 1/4 inch thick.
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17
Dust a pizza paddle or baking sheet with cornmeal and transfer the pizza dough onto it.
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18
Working very quickly, spoon half the sauce over the dough and spread evenly.
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19
Sprinkle half the cheeses evenly over the sauce, and top with half of the basil.
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20
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.
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21
Repeat for the other pizza.
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22
Some other great pizza combinations:
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23
(These are just suggestions for preparations, so quantities of butter and oil for slow-cooking or sauteing are general.)
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24
Caramelized red onions & gorgonzola cheese
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25
Slowly cook 4 thinly sliced red onions in butter and olive oil for about an hour.
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26
Spread the dough with the onions and sprinkle with about 1/4 pound of Gorgonzola cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
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27
Caramelized onions, goat cheese, & pancetta
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28
Slowly cook 4 thinly sliced onions in butter and olive oil for about an hour.
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29
Crumble about 1/4 pound of softened goat cheese into the onions.
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30
Spread this mixture over the pizza dough and top with slices of pancetta.
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31
Red & yellow bell peppers with mozzarella cheese & sausage
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32
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.
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33
Sprinkle the dough with about 1/4 pound of mozzarella cheese and top with the pepper mixture.
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34
Saute and drain about 1/4 pound of sausage meat and sprinkle over the pizza.
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35
Tomato sauce, mushrooms, & taleggio cheese
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36
Saute about 1 cup each fresh and wild mushrooms in butter and olive oil until browned and softened.
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37
Spread the dough with tomato sauce and the cooked mushrooms.
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38
Sprinkle with about 1/4 pound of Taleggio cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
