Focaccia is an italian flat bread that is seasoned with olive oil , coarse salt and herbs. It's a quick, simple bread, so it's a great way for those who have never made bread to begin. Focaccia is usually made from white flour, but I make a tasty whole wheat version. You can make this using the dough cycle of your bread machine, with a mixmaster using the dough hook, or by hand. Since it is a flatbread, it's pretty much impossible to mess this up. I used a leftover baked potato for this, but you can boil one for about 20 min. then mash it. This bread goes especially well with soups.
Run through dough cycle, or mix well, knead for 5 min. , then let raise about 20 min. till nearly doubled in size. Roll into a rectangle, place on oiled cookie sheet, brush liberally with olive oil. Set on top of stove while oven preheats to 425. When oven is ready, press fingertips into dough to dimple it, drizzle with:
1 T. olive oil
1 clove minced garlic
and sprinkle with:
sea salt
herbs of your choice-I used dried basil, but you can use oregano, fresh rosemary, or whatever else you like.
