Herbs and Garlic Focaccia Bread

The weather is getting so much cooler and its time for soup and stew again. I baked this focaccia to eat it with our beef stew. Focaccia is a flat Italian bread traditionally flavored with olive oil and salt and often topped with herbs, onions, or other items. I top this focaccia bread with loads of garlic and rosemary. This is a great alternative to garlic bread.

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups of flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp of sugar
1 packet (7 grms) dry yeast
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried parsley
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup lukewarm water


Topping:

4 cloves garlic - chopped
2 tbsp chopped rosemary
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp olive oil

1. Mix yeast and the sugar into the lukewarm water. Set it aside until it is foamy. Place the hook attachment to the mixer. In a mixing bowl, add flour, salt, oregano and parsley. Slowly add in the yeast mixture to the flour. Knead till the dough pulled together. Add in the oil. Continue to knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
2. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for an hour or until double it size.
3. Punch the dough down and place the dough on greased baking sheet. Pat the dough into a 1/2 inch thick rectangle. Mix all the topping ingredients together. Put the topping all over the bread.
4. Bake the bread in a preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.