Make your own Pizza
Use the basic Italian bread dough as the base for your pizza.  Then top with anything you choose.

Ingredients:
1 quantity Italian Bread Dough (see recipe below)
1 quantity Homemade Marinara Sauce or Spaghetti sauce
2 cups grated Mozzarella cheese
Toppings of your choice: pepperoni, Italian sausage (cooked), bell peppers, mushrooms, onion,
spinach, basil leaves etc.
Extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Follow directions for the Italian Bread Dough, up to Step 7.
2. Prepare Marinara sauce, see directions below.  For a smoother sauce, it may be put into a
   food processor or blender for 1 minute.
3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
4. Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces.  Shape each into a ball.
5. Roll out dough balls on clean work surface to  9 inch rounds.
6. To make Calzones: Spread tomato sauce over half of each round, leaving 3/4 inch border.
7. Cover with cheese, then add toppings of your choice.
8. Fold plain dough halves over filling, forming half circles.  Pinch the edges of dough firmly together to seal.  Pierce tops in several places with small knife.  Brush tops with olive oil. 
9. If making Pizzas: Cover the entire round with sauce, cheese and toppings of your choice. 
   Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
10. Using spatula, transfer to baking sheets lightly sprinkled with cornmeal.  
11. Bake Calzones and Pizzas for 15 - 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Italian Bread Dough
To activate the yeast, this recipe starts with making a "Starter" or "Sponge"

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon dried yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup warm water (100 -110 degrees F)

5 - 6 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
1 cup warm water (100 - 110 degrees F)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the first 3 ingredients for the "Starter".  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a small plate.  Set aside to allow the yeast to activate, 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Place the remaining ingredients into a large mixing bowl and add the sponge mixture.  Using a large spatula, stir until a sticky dough forms.
3. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough into a large oiled bowl and turn to coat.
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a tight fitting lid or plate.
6. Let the dough rise in a warm place, until doubled in size - about 1 hour.
7. Punch the dough down and knead lightly until smooth.
8. The dough can be used for Pizza, Calzones or Focaccia.