Geralyn's Thin Crust Pizza

1. Set the oven at 550 degrees. Place a pizza stone in the top third of the oven. Let it heat for 45 minutes.

2. Punch dow nthe dough. Divide it into 4 equal balls. Dust each lightly with flower and cover three of them with a clean towel.

3. Using a rolling pin, roll the remaining ball of dough firmly and evenly flattening it to a 5-inch disk. Dust with flour when the dough becomes sticky. Using your palms and fingertips, stretch the dough, shaping it into 7-inch round. Slip it under the towel and shape the remaining rounds. Let them rest under the towel for 15 minutes.

4. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil with the garlic over medium heat. Cook the garlic for 2 minutes or until it is fragrant but not colored. Add the tomatoes, salt, and sugar. Simmer gently for 20 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of the basil leaves and set the sauce aside.

5. Scatter coarse semolina or cornmeal onto the surface of a wooden pizza peel, cutting board or rimless baking sheet. Place one piece of dough on it. With the back of a spoon, spread about 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce on the round, then add 4 small pieces of mozzarella. Sprinkle with extra oil.

6. Slide the pizza off the board or sheet onto the hot stone. Bake for 3 minutes or until the crust is firm and golden. remove the pizza from the oven with a wide spatula and transfer it onto a plate. Sprinkle a few of the remaining basil leave on top. Repeat with the other three rounds of dough.