Focaccia Bread

Focaccia Bread! You can make it at home. And it's easy! It's just like having a Panera in your kitchen, except better, because YOU made it! Can you tell I'm excited about this? This turned out beautifully and was absolutely delicious eaten on its own or as a base for a sandwich. And with different topping options, the varieties are practically endless. This time, I made the garlic-cheese variety, but I'll also give you the ingredients for the Greek topping. I think you could do a lot of experimenting, though, with great results every time.

I used my bread machine to make the dough. Start by adding in all the ingredients to the bread pan: first the flour, then sugar, salt, olive oil



water and yeast.



Turn the machine on to the dough setting. My machine will "beep" partway through the dough setting. At this time, add the Italian seasoning.



If your machine doesn't beep, add the seasoning at the final 'punch down' stage, just before the rising stage. (Honestly, I don't know what harm there would be in adding it with the other ingredients but I followed the instructions!)

After the cycle is complete, grease a 9x13 pan, then coat your hands lightly with olive oil. Remove the dough from the pan and press into the pan. With your finger tip, make indentations in the dough.



Cover the pan with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until almost double in size. While it's rising, prepare the topping.

Heat the olive oil in a skillet, then stir in the oregano and garlic



and let cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat.

Once the dough has risen, make the indents again if necessary, then spoon the garlic mixture evenly over the dough.



Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top,



then bake for 20 minutes or until the bread tests done.



This bread would go wonderfully with soups and stews, and made a very tasty base for a steak sandwich!



This bread freezes well, also. You can slice it into individual portions and toss into a freezer bag to use whenever you need it.

There are more recipes at Mouthwatering Mondays , Tempt my Tummy Tuesdays, Tuesdays at the Table, Tasty Tuesday and the Krazy Kitchen.

Focaccia Bread

3 cups bread flour
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar
1/3 cup olive oil
1 cup water
1 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast
1 tsp. Italian seasoning

Garlic-Cheese topping:
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. oregano
1/3 cup garlic, coarsely chopped OR 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Greek topping:
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced onion
1 1/2 tsp. oregano
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup sliced black olives

Combine the first six ingredients in a bread machine pan in the order recommended by your breadmaker manufacturer. Set the machine for the dough setting and turn on. At the sound of the beep, or just before the punch down stage, add the Italian seasoning.

When the dough is processed, remove from the bread pan with lightly oiled hands. Press into a greased 9x13 pan and make indentations with your finger, about every inch. Cover with a damp cloth and set in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

While the bread is rising, prepare the topping.

For the garlic cheese topping:
Heat the olive oil in a skillet. Add the garlic and oregano and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Make indents in the bread again, then spread this over the risen bread, then sprinkle with the cheese.

For the Greek topping:
Heat the olive oil in a skillet. Add the onions, and cook and stir until tender, abotu 3 minutes. Stir in oregano. Remove from the heat. Make indents in the bread again, then spread the onion mixture over the risen bread, then sprinkle with olives and feta.

Bake the bread at 400 for 20 minutes or until done.