Authentic New York Pizza

Begin by sprinkling yeast over the surface of warm water in a large bowl. Allow it to sit for 1 minute, then gently stir to dissolve the yeast mixture. Combine flour, salt, and olive oil in the bowl, mixing until a dough forms. If the mixture becomes too thick to stir, transfer it onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes. To achieve the perfect consistency, add a small amount of flour if necessary to prevent stickiness.

Next, place the dough into an oiled bowl, cover it with a lid or plastic wrap, and set it aside in a warm location to rise until it has doubled in size. This process should take about 1-2 hours, depending on the environment.

Preheat your oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C), making sure it's at the correct temperature. If you're using a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven as well and place it on the lowest shelf.

Once the dough has risen, roll it out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a 12-inch circle. Place the dough on a baking pan or, if using a pizza stone, cover it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Spread an even layer of tomato sauce over the dough, followed by a sprinkle of oregano, mozzarella cheese, basil, Romano cheese, and red pepper flakes.

Finally, bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the bottom crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove it from the oven, let it cool for about 5 minutes, and then slice and serve.