I use to think Focaccia bread was hard to make so honestly this was the first time that I had ever tried to make it. It was fantastic!! We have since had it twice because it is fast (for bread anyway) to make and goes perfectly with so many different things, including soup. This will dress up your dinner in no time and impress your family or guests--mine were in love with it. As a side-note, this bread works great on a stone but if you don't have one, don't worry it should turn out just fine on a cookie sheet.
3 1/2-3/4 c. flour (
1 t. honey or sugar
1 package active dry yeast
1 c. warm water
3 T. olive oil
1 t. salt
1 t. dried basil
1 t. dried oregano
1 t. garlic powder
1/3 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
Sea salt or kosher salt for sprinkling
Olive oil for drizzling
Corn Meal for sprinkling
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer add honey/sugar and yeast into warm water and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly. Add olive oil, salt, basil, oregano, garlic powder, and enough flour so that dough pulls away from the sides. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic and not sticky – about 7 minutes (it too about 2-3 minutes in my Bosch). Grease a large bowl and place dough in bowl and cover. Allow to rise until double, about one hour. May place in a warm oven (preheat to 150 degrees and then turn the oven off) to rise if room is cool.
2. After dough has doubled in size, deflate dough and roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/2 inch thickness. If using a pizza stone, place stone into oven and preheat to 400 degrees for about 20 -30 minutes. Cover the pizza paddle, cutting board or back of cookie sheet with a coating of corn meal and place dough onto the corn meal to rise again. If you are not using a pizza stone, generously oil the inside of a rimmed cookie sheet with olive oil and place rolled out dough onto cookie sheet for second rising.
3. Allow to rise for about 30-40 minutes. Before putting dough into oven use your finger to poke dimples into the dough (I did that but mine came out when I cooked it--oops!) and then drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and Parmesan cheese. Slide the dough from the paddle onto the pizza stone in the oven. Bake for about 15 minutes. Eat and Enjoy!