### New York-Style Pizza Recipe for a 15-Inch Cast Iron Skillet with Fresh Herbs


#### Ingredients

- **For the Dough**:
- 3 cups (about 360g) high-gluten bread flour or Type 00 flour
- 1 and 1/4 cups (about 295ml) warm water (around 110°F or 43°C)
- 1 and 1/4 teaspoons (about 6g) sea salt
- 2 and 1/2 teaspoons (about 10g) sugar
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoons (about 22ml) olive oil, plus extra for the bowl
- 1 and 1/2 packets (about 10.5g) active dry yeast

- **For the Sauce** (Authentic New York-Style):
- 1 can (28 ounces or about 794g) high-quality crushed San Marzano tomatoes
- 1 and 1/4 teaspoons (about 6g) sea salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoons (about 22ml) olive oil
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons (about 7.5ml) red wine vinegar

- **For the Toppings**:
- 12 ounces (about 340g) low-moisture, whole milk mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
- Additional toppings as desired (e.g., pepperoni, sautéed mushrooms, thinly sliced onions), keeping them traditional and minimal

#### Instructions

1. **Dough Preparation**:
- Activate the yeast by combining it with warm water and sugar in a large bowl. Let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
- Mix in the flour, salt, and olive oil until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for about 10-15 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm area for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

2. **Sauce Preparation**:
- Combine the crushed tomatoes, sea salt, fresh oregano, fresh basil, finely minced garlic, olive oil, and red wine vinegar in a bowl. Stir well to ensure the herbs and garlic are evenly distributed throughout the sauce. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. The use of fresh herbs will contribute to a more vibrant and aromatic sauce compared to their dried counterparts.

3. **Baking Preparation**: (Safety unknown)
- Preheat your oven to its highest setting (500°F to 550°F or 260°C to 288°C) with the cast iron skillet inside for at least 20 minutes to simulate a pizza oven's heat.

4. **Assemble the Pizza**:
- Carefully remove the hot skillet. Spread the dough into the skillet, and _without severely burning your fingers_, form a thin layer that extends up the sides slightly.
- Apply a thin layer of sauce, leaving a border for the crust. Add a generous amount of cheese, followed by any additional toppings.

5. **Bake the Pizza**:
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
- Monitor closely, as the high heat will cook the pizza quickly.

6. **Finishing Touches**:
- Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves after baking for a fresh aroma and authentic touch.
- Let the pizza cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve.

#### Key Adjustments for a 15-Inch Skillet

- Increased dough quantity to ensure it can cover the larger skillet size, providing a thin, authentic crust.
- Adjusted sauce and cheese amounts to maintain the proper balance of flavors across a larger pizza surface.
- The ingredient adjustments ensure that the pizza remains authentic to New York-style characteristics, including thin crust, proper sauce-to-cheese ratio, and the ability to fold slices, with the addition of fresh herbs enhancing the sauce's freshness and authenticity.