Pizza Crust (optional, or use favorite ready made crust)

2/3 cup warm water, 105 - 115F, hotter will kill the yeast
1 pkg (2 tsp) active dry yeast fast acting if you can get it
1/2 tsp sugar - you need this to 'feed' the yeast
1/2 tsp salt - you need this to 'control' the yeast
1 tbs olive oil
2 cups flour

1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and let sit a few minutes to 'proof' - start to look foamy to prove that the yeast is still alive.

2. If you have a mixer with a dough hook put the yeast and all remaining ingredients in mixer bowl. Blend with dough hook attachment until well mixed then kneed for an additional 3 minutes. Cover bowl with cling film or a dishtowel and put in a warm place to rise, (75F, 24C) if possible.

3. If making by hand put yeast in large bowl along with all of the rest of the ingredients minus 1/2 cup flour. Stir to combine. Put remaining flour on work surface, add dough and kneed until smooth and elastic - about 10 minutes. As remaining flour is incorporated dough will become less sticky. Put dough in a bowl, cover with cling film or a dishtowel and put in a warm place to rise, (75F, 24C) if possible.

4. After dough has doubled in size, about 30 minutes, punch down. Lightly butter a pizza pan or large baking sheet. Roll dough out with a rolling pin as best you can. Then put on pan and stretch it to fit, patting it out with your fingers. If it keeps springing back wait a few minutes. Try not to put any holes in the crust. You are now ready to assemble.

Pizza Topping

1 onion
1/2 green bell pepper
1 tbs olive oil
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp dried oregano use fresh oregano if you have it
2 cloves garlic
3 - 5 tomatoes
8 - 10 slices good salami mine are about 3" in diameter (7.5 cm)
1/2 cup sliced green or black olives
1/2 - 3/4 cup shredded Emmenthal or other 'Swiss' cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan

1. Finely chop onion, pepper and garlic. Heat olive oil in medium nonstick skillet. Add chili powder and sauté 1 minute. Add onion, pepper, garlic, oregano and sauté until tender.

2. Slice tomatoes as thinly as you can - you should get 5 - 8 slices from each one, depending on how big they are.

3. Cut salami into quarters. Slice olives if needed. Tear oregano leaves off the stems if using fresh. Grate Parmesan.

4. To assemble pizza: On just-finished crust or your purchased crust: Spread onion/pepper mixture evenly over crust. Lay thinly sliced tomatoes evenly over crust - they should be touching and cover the entire crust. Lay salami slices over tomatoes. Bake at 450F (225C) for 15 - 20 minutes, until crust is just starting to color. Remove from oven and sprinkle fresh oregano, olives and cheeses evenly over top. Return to oven and bake an additional 5 - 10 minutes or until crust is brown and cheese bubbling. Remove from oven, slice and serve.h basil.