Make It: Super-Duper Easy Focaccia Bread

Our family loves all things bread and one of our favorites is this easy-to-make focaccia bread. They think I spoil them when I make it. Don't tell them how easy it is! 

We love to add sliced olives and/or capers to the dough before baking. The brininess pairs well with the rosemary and olive oil and adds different layers of flavor to the focaccia bread. We love bread with a little attitude! 

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 3 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 tablespoon chopped thyme
• 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 tsp garlic clove, finely minced

Optional ingredients:

• Chopped olives
• Sliced tomatoes
• Cheese
• Capers
• Sun dried tomatoes

Directions

Making the dough:

1. In a medium size bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic, thyme, black pepper, and rosemary. 
2. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup olive oil and 1 tsp minced garlic. (Oil and Garlic mixture)
3. In a large bowl, combine the water, yeast, and sugar. With a whisk, mix together. Let the mixture sit for 8 minutes.  
4. Mix the flour and salt, then combine with the olive oil mixture and the water, yeast, and sugar. Mix with a wooden spoon. 
5. When the dough comes together like a ball, flour your surface and knead the dough 10 - 15 times. 
6. Oil a large bowl. Add dough, then cover bowl with a warm, wet towel and let the dough rise for about 1 hour. I like to have the dough in a warm part of my kitchen but not in the sun!

Baking the dough:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
2. Oil a cookie sheet. 
3. Press the dough out onto the cookie sheet and let rest another 20 minutes. We like to make a rectangle shape in about an 1/2 inch thickness.
4. Use your fingers to poke indents into the dough and spread the oil and garlic mixture from Step 2 in directions. This is where you can also top with other ingredients like olives, capers or tomatoes if you'd like. 
5. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy!  We use this bread for a side to many of our favorite dishes, like spaghetti and meatballs, soups, or eggplant parmagiana. 

 🍴🍴🍴

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