Pizza with Basil and Pepperoni

This is an easy pizza to make at home, and every time I make it I am surprised at how great it is, especially considering how fast it is to prepare. Get creative on toppings!

Great served with a green salad and Chianti or other red wine of your choice.

Rustic Pizza with Basil & Pepperoni:
(makes 8 servings)
16 oz fresh pizza dough (sold at Trader Joe's or at your local pizza restaurant - or you can make your own dough)
1/2 can of whole roma tomatoes, crushed into a tomato sauce
8 oz shredded part-skim mozzarella
4 oz shredded pecorino romano
1 large bunch of fresh basil, leaves torn of stems and separated from bunches
1 package pepperoni
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Dried minced onion
Dried minced garlic
Paprika
Fennel seeds
Crushed red pepper
Thyme
Oregano

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450.

Spread pizza dough on pizza pan lightly greased with olive oil with your hands. It will look rustic and not perfect. Sprinkle dough with salt and pepper, spread tomato sauce over dough. Spread basil leaves evenly over entire surface of pizza, not overlapping. Sprinkle entire pizza with spices. Top with mozzarella cheese, then spread pepperoni evenly over surface. Top with pecorino romano.

Place into the oven, cook for 8-12 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling and the crust is browning and appears done. Serve hot.