Foccacia Bread

So my family loves nothing more than walking in and smelling fresh baked bread!!! They know that with that smell is something comforting and yummy to go with it. Here is a simple and quick recipe for some homemade Foccacia Bread...

 FOCCACIA BREAD

5 Teaspoons Yeast

1 Tablespoon Sugar

1 3/4 Warm Water

5 Cups Flour

1 Teaspoon Salt

3/4 Cup Olive Oil

Make the starter by Whisking the Water, Yeast, and Sugar together... Cover and let sit for about 5 minutes.

After about 5 minutes it should double in size and be spongy looking.

In a large bowl combine Flour, Olive Oil, Salt...

Combine the Starter and work all together in the bowl.

As you knead the dough it should become smooth and the bowl edges should be clean.

Take the dough out, and add a little bit of Olive Oil in the Bowl... and put dough ball back in the bowl.

Pour a little Olive Oil over the bread to prevent sticking during the first rise.

Cover and set in a warm place to rise.

A little trick I learned a while ago is to fill a mug about 3/4 of a way with water and heat for 4 minutes.

After the 3-4 minutes are done, set the mug in the corner of the Microwave and put the bowl in the microwave. DO NOT TURN THE MICROWAVE ON!!! Just let it sit there with the moist warmth and let it rise about 45 minutes.

After 45 minutes.... this is what you will have.

A huge ball of bubbly dough!

Prepare your baking pan my pouring some Olive Oil, and using your hands or a Pastry brush spread all over the pan bottom and sides.

Place dough and push down and spread evenly across the bottom of the pan.

This is what it should look like.

Cover and set in Warm place to rise again for another 45 minutes.

This is what it will look like after the second rising.

I use my fingers and make little holes, careful not to go through the dough.

Bake at 400 for 17 minutes... I put under the Broiler for 2 minutes to lightly brown the top. Make sure you set timers. I am famous for burning things in the broiler!

Let cool and cut with bread knife.

This is a basic Foccacia Recipe... You can get as creative as you wanna be with this.... before the second rising you can add dry or fresh herbs... you can add some brown sugar and cinnamon and make a sweet foccacia... before you put it in the oven you can add some carmelized shallots, some sun dried tomatos, or sprinkle some fresh grated parmesan cheese... the possiblities are endless.