Active Time

　　1 hr

　　Total Time

　　3 hr (includes dough rising)

　　

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

　　

For crust

1 (1/4-oz) package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)

　　1/2 cup warm water (105-115°F)

　　1 teaspoon salt

　　1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus additional for kneading and dusting

　　About 5 cups olive oil

　　

For tomato sauce and toppings

1/4 cup olive oil

　　5 garlic cloves, 2 crushed and 3 minced

　　2 lb plum tomatoes, halved, seeded, and finely chopped

　　1/2 teaspoon salt

　　1/4 teaspoon black pepper

　　6 oz fresh mozzarella (not unsalted), cut into 1/4-inch dice

　　1 oz finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/2 cup)

　　2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or loosely packed small whole basil leaves

　　

Special Equipment

a deep-fat thermometer

　　

Make dough for crust:

Step 1

Stir together yeast and water in a measuring cup and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. (If mixture doesn't foam, discard and start over with new yeast.)

　　

Step 2

Stir together salt and 1 cup flour in a large bowl, then add yeast mixture and 1 tablespoon olive oil and stir until smooth. Stir in just enough remaining flour (1/4 to 1/2 cup) for dough to come away from side of bowl.

　　

Step 3

Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead, sprinkling with just enough flour to keep dough from sticking, until smooth, soft, and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes. Dust dough all over with flour and put in a bowl. Cover bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

　　

Make sauce and assemble toppings while dough rises:

Step 4

Heat oil (1/4 cup) in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat until hot, then cook crushed garlic, stirring, until pale golden, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and increase heat to moderately high, then cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper and transfer to a bowl. Discard crushed garlic if desired.

　　

Step 5

Put cheeses, basil, and minced garlic in separate bowls and keep, covered, at room temperature until ready to use.

　　

Fry dough:

Step 6

Heat 1 inch oil in a deep 12- to 13-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until it registers 350°F on thermometer.

　　

Step 7

While oil heats, divide dough into 8 portions and stretch each portion with floured hands, pressing on work surface, to form 4-inch rounds (don't worry if they are irregularly shaped).

　　

Step 8

Fry rounds 2 at a time, turning over once with tongs, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per batch, and transfer to a paper-towel-lined platter to drain. (Return oil to 350°F between batches.)

　　

Step 9

Spread each fried dough round with some sauce and sprinkle with toppings. Pizza should be eaten immediately, folded in half.