Recipe

Tomato Sauce

Step 1: If using fresh tomatoes, bring 4 quarts water to a boil in a 5- to 6-quart pot.

Step 2: Cut away the dry stem area of the tomatoes, leaving the core intact. Place 2 or 3 tomatoes at a time in the boiling water for 5-10 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and put on a rack to cool. Peel the tomatoes with a paring knife.

Step 3: Whether using fresh or canned, cut each tomato into several wedges and run them through a food mill over a medium bowl to create a pulp (not a fine purée; you want to retain some texture). If you don’t have a food mill, just squish them with your hands — it’s messy but fun.

Step 4: Stir in the olive oil and salt. The sauce will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Makes enough for about 8 pizzas

Tomato Pie

Step 1: Put the pizza stone on a rack in a gas oven about 8″ from the broiler. Preheat the oven on bake at 500°F for 30 minutes. Switch to broil for 10 minutes.

Step 2: With the dough on the peel, spoon the tomato sauce over the surface and spread it evenly, leaving about an inch of the rim untouched. Sprinkle with salt. Drizzle oil over the pie.

Step 3: With quick, jerking motions, slide the pie onto the stone. Broil for 3 minutes under gas (somewhat longer with an electric oven), until the top is bubbling and the crust is nicely charred but not burnt.

Step 4: Using the peel, transfer the pizza to a tray or serving platter before slicing it into wedges. Serve immediately.

Makes one 10″ to 12″ pizza

See more recipes from Jim Lahey.

Reprinted with permission from Jim Lahey’s My Pizza (2012 Clarkson Potter).