Pizza Margherita

Make the dough: In a small bowl, whisk together yeast and 3⁄4 cup plus 2 tbsp. water heated to 85º. Let sit for 10 minutes. Put flour and sugar into bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Mix on low speed to combine. With mixer on, add yeast mixture, 1 tsp. oil, and 1 1⁄2 cups ice-cold water; knead until smooth and a dough forms around hook, 7 minutes. Add salt and continue kneading for 2 minutes more. (If dough feels dry, add a few tbsp. cold water.) Divide dough into four portions, roll into tight balls, and transfer to a lightly floured baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Remove dough from refrigerator and let come to room temperature. Put a pizza stone on lowest rack in oven and heat oven to 500º; heat for at least 40 minutes.

Make the pizzas: Working with one piece of dough at a time, dust with flour; using your hands, stretch and shape dough into a 11–13-inch circle. Transfer dough to a sheet of parchment paper. Drizzle oil around rim of dough. Spoon about 1⁄4 cup tomato sauce onto dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Season with salt. Arrange one quarter of cheese evenly over pizza. Drizzle pizza with more oil; using a pizza paddle or grasping the edges of the parchment paper, transfer pizza to pizza stone. Bake until golden brown, about 13 minutes. Slide parchment paper onto a pizza paddle or the back of a baking sheet and transfer to a work surface. Top with basil, drizzle with more oil, if you like, and slice. Repeat with remaining dough and toppings, and reserve remaining sauce for another use, such as pasta.