Ingredients (11)
For the dough:
- 1 cup warm water (110°F to 115°F)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 (1/4-ounce) packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more as needed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
For the pizza:
- 1 (14-ounce) can whole or diced tomatoes and their juices
- Kosher salt
- 1 pound whole-milk mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 4 cups)
- 10 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
The addition of whole wheat flour to the dough gives this pizza a chewy, yet crispy, crust. It’s baked on a regular baking sheet, so no special pizza stone or pan is needed. And you can fancy up the simple mozzarella and fresh basil toppings with some caramelized onions or sautéed broccoli rabe.
Game plan: You can make the dough ahead through step 5, wrap each dough ball tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze in resealable zip-top bags for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to make the pizza, place the frozen dough balls on a lightly oiled work surface, cover with plastic wrap, and let them come to room temperature, about 2 hours. Then proceed with shaping the dough and topping it.
Instructions
- 1Whisk the water and honey together in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, then sprinkle the yeast on top. Set aside until the mixture bubbles, about 10 minutes.
- 2Add the flours, measured oil, and salt and mix on low speed until the dough just starts to come together and looks shaggy, about 2 minutes.
- 3Increase the speed to medium and continue to mix until the dough is elastic and smooth, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, coat a large bowl with a thin layer of oil and set it aside.
- 4When the dough is ready, form it into a ball, place in the oiled bowl, and turn to coat with the oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rest in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 1 hour. (Alternatively, let the dough rise in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 2 days.)
- 5Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly oiled work surface. Divide the dough into 2 pieces and form each piece into a ball.
- 6Place the dough balls on a lightly oiled work surface, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes. (If you let the dough rise in the refrigerator, let it rest until it’s room temperature, about 30 minutes.) Meanwhile, heat the oven to 525°F and arrange a rack on the bottom.
For the pizza:
- 1Place the tomatoes and their juices in a blender or a food processor fitted with the blade attachment and process into a coarse purée, about 10 seconds; set aside.
- 2Transfer 1 dough ball to a baking sheet. Using your hands, stretch and shape it into a rough 14-by-10-inch rectangle.
- 3Using the back of a ladle or large spoon, spread half (about 2/3 cup) of the tomato purée in an even layer over the dough, leaving about a 1/2-inch border. Season with salt and evenly sprinkle with half of the cheese.
- 4Bake until the crust is browned and charred in spots and the cheese is brown and bubbly, about 12 to 15 minutes.
- 5Transfer the pizza to a cutting board and sprinkle it with half of the basil. Let the baking sheet cool and repeat with the remaining dough and toppings.
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