NEW YORK-STYLE PIZZA INSPIRED BY TMNT II: SECRET OF THE OOZE

In a food processor, pulse together the flour, sugar, and instant yeast until well combined. Slowly combine the water through the feed tube, until a sticky ball of dough forms. Let rest for 10 minutes. Add kosher salt and vegetable oil then knead for 60 seconds. Transfer to an oiled surface and knead until smooth about 2 minutes. Transfer to an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide it into two pieces (you only need half the dough for one pizza). Wrap each piece of dough in plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 1 hour. While the dough rests, prepare the sauce. In a food processor, combine the tomatoes, garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, basil, and salt. Process until smooth, then transfer to a saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, then cover and cook for 30 minutes.

Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 550°F (or its highest setting) for 40 minutes.

Dust a pizza peel with half of the semolina flour. Generously flour a work surface and place one of the doughs on top. Pressing gently using your fingertips, push the dough out to form a disc, leaving the edge slightly thicker.  Once the dough is about 8 inches wide, pick it up and drape it over your knuckles, letting gravity stretch out the dough. Pass the dough hand-over-hand, until it’s stretched into about a 14-inch round. Place the dough on a pizza peel and reshape into a circle, if needed, leaving the edge slightly thicker. Ladle about ½ cup of sauce onto the dough and spread around until evenly coated. Scatter half of the mozzarella over the top, making sure not to get any sauce or cheese on the edge of the dough crust. Slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone and bake until the crust is well browned and the cheese is bubbly and browned in spots, about 12 minutes. Use the pizza peel to remove the pie and transfer to a large cutting board or pizza pan. Slice into 6 pieces and serve.