Focaccia Bread

This bread is good just as is or use it as a pizza crust, make a sandwich out out it, or dip it in flavored olive oil. Even if you have little or no experience with making bread, you can make this.

FOCACCIA BREAD

 (serves 12)

Ingredients:

*1 tablespoon active dry yeast

*1 teaspoon white sugar

*1 cup warm water (110 degrees)

*2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

*2 garlic cloves, minced

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon dried rosemary

*1 teaspoon dried oregano

*1 teaspoon dried thyme

*1 teaspoon dried basil

*1/2 teaspoon black pepper

*1 tablespoon olive oil

*1 tablespoon olive oil

*1 1/2 tablespoon fresh grated parmesan cheese

*1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.

Directions:

~In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in the warm water.

~Stir in the yeast and allow it to proof until the yeast resembles a off white creamy foam.

~Mix salt and 1 tablespoon olive oil into the yeast.

~Stir in flour, minced garlic, oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, and black pepper, until the dough as pulled together.

~Put dough on a lightly floured surface.

~Knead dough, until smooth and elastic.

~Place dough into a lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat both sides of bread.

~Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.

~Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

~Punch down dough, and place on a greased cookie sheet.

~Gently press into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.

~Brush top with 1 tablespoon olive oil.

~Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

~Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

~Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

~Serve warm or cold.

Variations:

~Spoon Pizza Sauce on it before adding cheese.

~Place very thinly sliced tomatoes on top before cooking.

~Sprinkle course salt on top before cooking.

Helpful Hint:

If you have problem with breads browning on the bottom for you. Spray pan with pam and sprinkle corn meal on it, then place your dough over that. It will help make it a toasty, pretty golden brown on the bottom.