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Italian


3 tablespoons olive oil
1 batch Pizza Dough, recipe follows
8 ounces sliced pepperoni, about 1/8 inch thick (look for smaller-size pepperoni sticks) or
(3 links grilled Italian sausage, chopped
6 strips smoked thick-cut bacon, cooked
6 to 9 thinly sliced sopressata (depending on the size) )
16 ounces brick cheese (or whole-milk mozzarella), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Pizza sauce, store-bought or homemade, recipe follows

Pizza Dough:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (or pizza flour)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon rapid rise yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
Olive oil, for oiling the bowl

Pizza Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
2 cloves garlic, minced
One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 teaspoons sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Pizza Dough:
Put the flour, salt, yeast and sugar in a food processor with a metal blade attachment and pulse to combine. Add 1 cup warm water, then process until a ball forms, about 30 seconds (if a ball does not form, add a bit more flour). Process for another 30 seconds, then roll into a tight ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Proof in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 2 hours.

Pizza Sauce:
Yield: 2 1/2 cups
Heat a small saucepot over medium heat and add the oil. Add the Italian seasoning and garlic and saute until fragrant; do not let the garlic burn. Add the tomatoes and sugar and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and simmer until concentrated, about 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Position an oven rack in the bottom of the oven and preheat to the highest temperature setting, 500 to 550 degrees F.
Pour the oil in a large, square metal cake pan and spread/swirl around (or, ideally, an authentic Detroit-style pizza pan). Put the Pizza Dough in the pan and gently stretch it out to fit so the dough reaches the corners. If the dough is being temperamental, set it aside for another 10 minutes to relax and try again. Place the pan in the oven for 4 minutes. Remove from oven.
Layer the pepperoni or meats on the dough. Then lay the cheese cubes all over, especially around the perimeter up to the edge of the pan (this creates the coveted crispy cheese crust). Dollop the pizza sauce on top in 3 lines.
Bake in the ultra-hot oven until bubbly and golden and a crispy cheese crust has formed, 10 to 15 minutes. Using a fish spatula, loosen up the edges and place on a cutting board. Slice into squares and serve!

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