Loafers.

Made some focaccia bread to put my marmalade on. It's the only bread I make because it's so easy and delicious.

Classic Focaccia Bread
from my Betty Crocker cookbook

2 1/2	to 3 cups  all-purpose flour
2	tablespoons herbs (if desired)
1	tablespoon sugar
1	teaspoon salt
1	package regular or fast-acting dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1	cup water
3	tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
	Cooking spray to grease bowl and cookie sheets
2	tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
1/4	cup grated or finely shredded Parmesan cheese

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1.

In a large bowl, stir 1 cup of the flour, the herbs, sugar, salt and yeast with a wooden spoon until well mixed. In a 1-quart saucepan, heat the water over medium heat until very warm and an instant-read thermometer reads 120°F to 130°F. Add the water and 3 tablespoons oil to the flour mixture. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed 3 minutes, stopping frequently to scrape batter from side and bottom of bowl with a rubber spatula. With a wooden spoon, stir in enough of the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until dough is soft, leaves side of bowl and is easy to handle (the dough maybe slightly sticky).

2.

Sprinkle flour lightly on a countertop or large cutting board. Place dough on floured surface. Knead by folding dough toward you, then with the heels of your hands, pushing dough away from you with a short rocking motion. Move dough a quarter turn and repeat. Continue kneading 5 to 8 minutes, sprinkling surface with more flour if dough starts to stick, until dough is smooth and springy. Spray a large bowl with the cooking spray. Place dough in bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place 30 minutes or until dough has almost doubled in size. Dough is ready if an indentation remains when you press your fingertips about 1/2 inch into the dough.

3.

Spray 2 cookie sheets or 12-inch pizza pans with the cooking spray. Gently push your fist into the dough to deflate it. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a flattened 10-inch round on a cookie sheet. Lightly spray 2 sheets of plastic wrap with cooking spray; cover the dough loosely with the plastic wrap, sprayed side down. Let rise in a warm place about 30 minutes or until dough has doubled in size. Remove plastic wrap.

4.

Heat the oven to 400°F. Using your fingers, gently make 1/2-inch-deep depressions about 2 inches apart in dough. Carefully brush with 2 tablespoons oil, using a pastry brush; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or cooled.

 

I like to play around with the "extras" in this recipe. The original calls for rosemary, but I like thyme and a wee bit of oregano better. Another favorite is roasted garlic. Yum. Turns out perfect every time.