In a medium bowl, swirl the yeast into the warm water and set aside for a few minutes to allow the yeast to swell and activate. Add the flour on top of the water and yeast, then the salt on top of the flour. Mix with your hands (or a large wooden spoon if you don't like getting sticky) until the ingredients are completely combined. The dough should be wet, tacky and sticking to your fingers. If it is not, continue adding warm water in 1 tbsp increments until you achieve the right consistency.

Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel and allow to rest for 20 minutes so the flour can absorb the water. After 20 minutes, stretch and fold the dough to tighten the gluten. Imagine the bowl is a clock. Starting at 12 o'clock grab a small amount of dough with wet fingers where the dough meets the bowl. Lift the dough, gently stretch it towards 6 o'clock and press it back down to the rest of the dough. Turn the bowl a little and repeat this process around the edge of the dough twice or until you can feel and see the dough tighten. Cover the bowl again and allow to rise at room temperature for 1.5 - 2 hours or until the dough has doubled in volume.

Using a dough scraper or spatula, remove the dough onto a well floured work surface. Lightly flour the surface of the dough, then divide it in half using a sharp knife or dough scraper. Shape each piece into a ball, then flatten each slightly to form a disk shape. Flour the top of each and cover with the dish towel for 30 minutes.

While the dough is resting, pre-heat the oven to 500 degrees F or as high as it will go (for those with gas ovens, use bake mode NOT convection mode). Place the oven rack in the furthest bottom position. Prepare desired sauces and toppings. Generously oil two round pizza pans or two 13 x 18 rectangular sheet pans with extra virgin olive oil.

After 30 minutes, flour your hands and flatten one disk of dough into a larger circle (or rectangle if you are using sheet pans). With floured fingers, dimple around the edge to create the crust, then gently stretch the middle over your knuckles before placing on the pizza pan or sheet pan. Repeat with the other disk of dough.

Add the sauce and toppings you desire (do not add cheese yet!) and bake one pizza at a time on the bottom rack for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, top with cheese and return to the oven for another 5 minutes or until the edges are slightly charred and the crust has puffed up and pulled away from the sides of the pan. Allow to cool for a few minutes then transfer it to a large cutting board to slice. Repeat with remaining dough.