Rosemary Focaccia

Ingredients:

• 4 cups bread flour

• 2 tsp yeast

• 1 1/2 tsp sugar

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary

• 4 garlic cloves, grated

• 1 3/4 cups warm water, about 100ºF (you may not use all of the water)

• 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided

Topping

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary

• 1 to 1 1/2 tsp coarse sea salt

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add bread flour, yeast, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Attach the dough hook and stir ingredients until combined.

2. Stir in rosemary and garlic. Pour 3 tablespoons olive oil as you slowly increase the speed of the mixer. Slowly add in enough water to form a soft, sticky dough.

3. Increase mixer speed to medium and knead dough for 5 minutes. Dough should be sticky. Remove dough and place in an oiled bowl, cover and let rise until double in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the temperature of the environment.

4. Using 1 tablespoon olive oil, generously grease a 9" X 13" baking pan. Gently deflate dough and transfer unto the baking pan.

5. With oiled hands (olive oil), gently press dough onto the baking pan. Loosely cover and allow to rise for 30 minutes.

6. Preheat the oven to 450ºF (convection 425ºF).

7. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the dough and dimple the dough with your fingers. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKmNBi5zm7Q&ab_channel=Food52).

8. Sprinkle the dough with the remaining rosemary and 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt.

9. Place in the heated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

10. Let bread cool before serving.

Yields: 8 to 10 servings

Notes&Tips:

• Focaccia is a versatile bread. There are so many individual recipes out there. You can make this your own. Choose herbs, garlic, onion, cheese - it's an open book for you to decorate and it all depends on your taste. But one thing I can guarantee is that however or whatever you choose to add to Focaccia, it will be delicious!!

• Consume it as it, use it as your base for sandwiches, toast it for breakfast, let it be the center of an appetizer tray with several oils and or dips, or use with soups.