Classic New York Cheese Pizza | Homtone Pizza Oven

Product: https://homtone.com/products/10-in-1-electric-pizza-oven

Ingredients:

Pizza dough (8"-10")
Tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought, about 1/2 cup)
Fresh mozzarella slices (thinly sliced, about 6 oz)
Olive oil (extra virgin preferred, about 2 tablespoons)
Salt (preferably sea salt, to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (optional)
Cornmeal (for dusting the pizza peel or baking sheet)

Instructions:

Step 1. Preheat the Oven:

Set your oven to 600℉. Allow it to preheat for at least 15-20 minutes to ensure the oven reaches the correct temperature. This high temperature is crucial for achieving the crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese characteristic of a New York-style pizza.

Step 2. Prepare the Dough:

Take the pizza dough out of the refrigerator (if it was refrigerated) and let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to make it more manageable.
Lightly flour your work surface to prevent the dough from sticking.
Stretch the dough by hand to form a thin crust. Start from the center and work your way outwards, creating a thin, even crust. Aim for a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Avoid using a rolling pin to preserve the air bubbles in the dough, which will give the crust its characteristic texture and crispiness.

Step 3. Shape the Dough:

If you have a pizza peel, lightly dust it with cornmeal to prevent the dough from sticking. If you don't have a pizza peel, you can use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Transfer the stretched dough to the prepared pizza peel or baking sheet.

Step 4. Add the Tomato Sauce:

Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust. Use a spoon or a small ladle to apply the sauce evenly. Be careful not to use too much sauce, as this can make the pizza soggy. A thin layer is ideal for a balanced flavor.

Step 5. Layer the Cheese:

Add slices of fresh mozzarella evenly over the tomato sauce. Ensure the cheese covers the sauce completely, as this will help create a uniform melt and prevent the sauce from bubbling up excessively. The mozzarella should be thinly sliced to ensure it melts smoothly at the high temperature.

Step 6. Season and Drizzle:

Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the cheese. This adds a rich flavor and helps the crust achieve a beautiful golden-brown color.
Sprinkle with salt to taste. If desired, add a few grinds of freshly ground black pepper for an extra layer of flavor.

Step 7. Bake the Pizza:

Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated oven. If using a pizza stone, slide the pizza from the peel onto the stone. If using a baking sheet, place the baking sheet directly in the oven.
Bake the pizza for 8 minutes. Keep an eye on it through the oven window to monitor the cheese and crust. The high temperature means the pizza will cook quickly, and you want to ensure the crust is golden-brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

Step 8. Check for Doneness:

After 8 minutes, carefully remove the pizza from the oven using oven mitts. Check the crust for a golden-brown color and ensure the cheese is bubbly and slightly charred in spots. The crust should be firm and the cheese should be fully melted.

Step 9. Cool and Slice:

Let the pizza cool slightly for about 2-3 minutes. This allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to slice.
Once cooled, slice the pizza into wedges using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife.

Step 10. Serve:

Serve the pizza warm, ideally with a side of garlic bread or a simple salad. Enjoy your delicious Classic New York Cheese Pizza!

This recipe captures the essence of a classic New York-style pizza with a thin, crispy crust, a rich tomato sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese. Enjoy!