Rosemary Focaccia

I love focaccia and it is one of the easiest breads to make. It doesn't require much kneading and it really only needs one rise. It may be the high fat content in the bread, but whatever it is, it's darn good. It's basically a pizza dough without out the work and you can still top it with yummy things like kalamata olives, caramelized onions or just herbs, as I did. I served it along side a meal, so I just used rosemary from my garden as a topping.


I used Tyler Florence's recipe.

Ingredients:

1 pkg yeast
1 cup warm water (110-115 degrees)
2 T sugar
3 1/2 to 4 c flour
1 T salt
1/4 cup olive oil
2 T Rosemary
Cornmeal, for dusting
Cooking spray

Directions:

Proof yeast by stirring it in a large bowl with sugar and the warm water. If you have a standing mixer just put it in the bowl of the mixer for 5-10 minutes until it gets foamy.
Add the salt and stir to combine.
Add the flour a 1/2 c at a time.
Add the olive oil.
If you're using the stand mixer just turn it on medium for 5 minutes and let the mixer do the work, you will only need to knead for a minute at the end. If you are kneading the dough, just knead for 5 minutes on a floured surface until the dough is a little stretchy. Add flour if needed
Roll the dough into a ball and place into a bowl sprayed with cooking spray
Spray the top of the ball with cooking spray and cover with plastic wrap or wet towel
Let rise for 45 minutes until doubled
Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray and dust with cornmeal
Remove dough from bowl and stretch into an oblong shape and place on the sheet
Flatten it out somewhat uniformly then press finger prints into the dough
Sprinkle with rosemary
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Cover dough with plastic wrap and let rest for 20 minutes
Remove plastic and bake on the bottom rack for 15-20 minutes