Classic Pizza Napolitana

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup light red or white wine, Fiano di Avellino
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 1/2 ounces fresh yeast
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 cups basic tomato sauce, recipe follows
• 1 pound fresh mozzarella di Bufala, sliced into thin medallions
• 12 fresh basil leaves

Directions

Place wine, water, and yeast in a large bowl and stir until dissolved. Add the honey, salt and olive oil and mix well to combine. Add 1 cup of the flour and mix with a wooden spoon until it becomes a loose batter. Add 2 more cups of the flour and stir for 2 to 3 minutes, incorporating as much flour as you can with the wooden spoon.

Bring the dough together by hand and turn out onto a floured board or marble surface. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes, until dough is smooth and firm. Place in a clean, lightly-oiled bowl and cover with a towel. Let rise in the warmest part of the kitchen for 45 minutes.

Knead the dough into 1 large round and let rest for 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.

Add oregano to tomato sauce and ladle the tomato sauce in an even layer over the dough. Distribute the cheese evenly over the surface of the pizza, press the basil leaves into the sauce and cook in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is golden brown.

Basic Tomato Sauce:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 Spanish onion, chopped in 1/4 inch dice
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves, or 1 tablespoon dried
• 1/2 medium carrot, finely shredded
• 2 (28-ounce) cans peeled whole tomatoes, crushed by hand and juices reserved
• Salt

In a 3 quart saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft and light golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the thyme and carrot and cook 5 minutes more, until the carrot is quite soft. Add the tomatoes and juice and bring to a boil, stirring often. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes until as thick as hot cereal. Season with salt and serve. This sauce holds 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer.

Yield: 4 cups