A Plain Pizza Pie

Directions

1. 1
   At least 45 minutes before cooking, preheat the oven and pizza stone to 550 degrees.
2. 2
   Drain the tomatoes over a fine-mesh strainer, reserving the liquid for another use.
3. 3
   Break up the tomatoes and drain the juices, pressing them with a wooden spoon.
4. 4
   The tomatoes should be fairly dry.
5. 5
   Place the dough on a heavily floured surface and stretch and pull, using your hands or a rolling pin, into about a 14-inch round.
6. 6
   Place on a lightly floured pizza peel or rimless baking sheet.
7. 7
   Cover with the toppings, being careful not to press on the dough and weigh it down: the crushed tomatoes first, then the cheese, leaving roughly a 1/2-inch border.
8. 8
   Shake the pizza peel slightly to make sure the dough is not sticking.
9. 9
   (Gently lift any sections that are sticking and sprinkle the peel with flour.)
10. 10
    Carefully slide the pizza directly onto the baking stone in one quick, forward-and-back motion.
11. 11
    Cook until the crust has browned on the bottom and the top is bubbling and browning in spots, about 7 minutes.
12. 12
    Top with the basil, and season with olive oil, salt, pepper and Parmesan.
13. 13
    Serve hot.
14. 14
    Makes 1 pizza.