Sicilian Pizza

Step 1

Pour 1.25 cups of warm water (around 110°F — it should feel warm on your wrist but not too hot) into a large bowl.

Step 2

Sprinkle 0.5 teaspoon of instant yeast into the water and let it sit for 1 minute until foamy bubbles appear on the surface.

Step 3

Add 2.5 cups flour and 1.5 teaspoons salt to the bowl with the yeast water.

Step 4

Stir with a wooden spoon until all the flour is wet and a shaggy, sticky dough forms — no dry flour should be visible at the bottom.

Step 5

Let the dough rest uncovered on the counter for 30 minutes until it becomes softer and slightly puffy.

Step 6

While the dough rests, peel and slice both yellow onions lengthwise from root tip to root tip into thin half-moons, about 1/4 inch thick.

Step 7

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat until it shimmers.

Step 8

Add all the sliced onions to the hot oil and stir with a wooden spoon until every piece is coated.

Step 9

Cook the onions, stirring once every 2 minutes, for 20 minutes until they are a deep golden-brown color and soft enough to break apart easily with the spoon.

Step 10

Set the oven to 450°F and wait until the indicator light or beep tells you it has finished preheating, about 10 minutes.

Step 11

Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil evenly across a 9-by-13-inch baking sheet, coating the entire bottom and sides.

Step 12

Lift the dough from the bowl with oiled hands and place it in the center of the prepared baking sheet.

Step 13

Gently stretch the dough with your fingertips, pushing it outward from the center toward the edges, until it fills the entire baking sheet and is about 1/2 inch thick — it will resist slightly.

Step 14

Spread 1 can (14 oz) of canned crushed tomatoes evenly across the dough with the back of a spoon, leaving a 1/2-inch border uncovered around all edges.

Step 15

Scatter the caramelized onions evenly over the tomato sauce.

Step 16

Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella in an even layer over the onions, covering the surface.

Step 17

Place the baking sheet in the preheated 450°F oven and bake for 15 minutes until the crust is light golden-brown and the cheese is bubbling around the edges.

Step 18

Remove the pizza from the oven using oven mitts and let it cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes before slicing and serving.