Thursday, May 26, 2011

Focaccia bread















Focaccia bread is a flat loaf of bread said to be the predecessor of our modern pizza.
Unlike our common breads, it has cheese and herbs added to the dough.

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 1/2 tablespoon fresh basil
  • 1 pinch ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella

  • Direction:

In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt,garlic powder.
Chop the herbs and add to flour mixture
Dissolve yeast in water mixed with sugar. In a few minutes, the mixture will froth, add the vegetable oil.
Mix together flour mixture and yeast mixture and knead until smooth and elastic.
Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl,cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes or until it is double in size.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Punch dough down; place on greased baking sheet. Pat into a 1/2 inch thick rectangle.Using your finger tips,punch the dough creating small craters. Brush top with olive oil. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.