Focaccia Bread Topping Extravaganza Food

THE EASIEST, BESTEST FOCACCIA BREAD EVER!!

Steps:

• Mix the yeast and water in a small bowl. Let proof for 10 minutes (until bubbles begin to form).
• In large bowl, stir together flour, salt, sugar, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, basil, and black pepper.
• Add the yeast mix and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients and combine.
• When dough has pulled together, turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.
• Lightly oil a large bowl, place dough in bowl, and turn to coat with oil.
• Cover with damp cloth and let rise in warm place 25 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Punch dough down, place on greased baking sheet.
• Pat dough into 1/2-inch thick rectangle (doesn't have to be perfect).
• Using your knuckle, make indentations in the dough about 1/2-inch apart, then prick dough with fork.
• Brush top with olive oil, then sprinkle with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
• Bake for 13-15 minutes until golden brown.

FOCACCIA BREAD WITH THREE TOPPING CHOICES

Steps:

• Add to bread machine in order specified by your owner's manual; set controls to DOUGH or PIZZA (mine goes for just under an hour).
• At the end of the cycle, place dough on a seasoned baking stone (mine is a rectangle) or a pizza pan.
• Preheat oven to 400.
• Press or roll dough out to edges of pan; let rise 10-30 minutes depending how patient and/or hungry you are! While this is rising in a WARM spot, prepare one of the toppings (below).
• Make random indentations with fingertips over top of dough; the toppings will fill these spots.
• HERBY TOPPING: In a small sauce-pan, heat olive oil, add herbs as this heats, then add garlic; allow to sizzle for about 30 seconds (do NOT burn); remove from heat; drizzle over bread dough; spread with back of spoon; sprinkle to taste with salt.
• ONION TOPPING: Melt butter in small sauce-pan, add onions, saute until golden (or transparent); remove from heat, add mayo; spread over focaccia dough.
• OLIVE TOPPING: Mix all ingredients, spread over dough.
• BAKING DIRECTIONS: Bake for 20 minutes (nicely tanned); cut or tear into serving portions.
• OTHER IDEAS: Use flat bread for panini sandwiches OR wedges to dip into soup or stew OR unbaked as a base for your pizza.

FOCACCIA BREAD

Steps:

• In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook, proof the yeast by combining it with the warm water and sugar.
• Stir gently to dissolve.
• Let stand 3 minutes until foam appears.
• Turn mixer on low and slowly add the flour to the bowl.
• Dissolve salt in 2 tablespoons of water and add it to the mixture.
• Pour in 1/4 cup olive oil.
• When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium.
• Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook.
• Mix until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary.
• Turn the dough out onto a work surface and fold over itself a few times.
• Form the dough into a round and place in an oiled bowl, turn to coat the entire ball with oil so it doesn't form a skin.
• Cover with plastic wrap or damp towel and let rise over a gas pilot light on the stovetop or other warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
• Coat a sheet pan with a little olive oil and corn meal.
• Once the dough is doubled and domed, turn it out onto the counter.
• Roll and stretch the dough out to an oblong shape about 1/2-inch thick.
• Lay the flattened dough on the pan and cover with plastic wrap.
• Let rest for 15 minutes.
• In the meantime, coat a small saute pan with olive oil, add the onion, and cook over low heat for 15 minutes until the onions caramelize.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Uncover the dough and dimple with your fingertips.
• Brush the surface with more olive oil and then add caramelized onions, garlic, olives, cheese, salt, pepper, and rosemary.
• Bake on the bottom rack for 15 to 20 minutes.

FOCACCIA BREAD TOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA!

Steps:

• Spread prepared focaccia bread on baking stone; use finger-tips to dimple the surface; let rest for five minutes; preheat oven to 375.
• Brush dough with olive oil.
• Sprinkle with Vegetable Choice, Cheese Choice, Herb Choice.
• Bake for 18-20 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
• Break or cut into portion-size pieces.