by Eileen Grace

Created on: March 25, 2009   Last Updated: March 26, 2009

Easy spiced focaccia bread

This is a very quick home made yeast bread recipe, just an hour from start to finish and no kneading required. It's excellent cut into small pieces and eaten for a snack, served with soup or salad for a light meal, with pasta instead of garlic bread, sliced in half and used for sandwich bread or with only slight modification to the toppings as a base for home made pizza.

Not quite a traditional focaccia recipe, it's still one of my favorite breads. With varied toppings and seasonings, I make this at least once a week.

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon yeast

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup water

4 tablespoons canola or olive oil, divided

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

2 - 4 cloves minced garlic, to taste

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Possible Toppings:

1/2 medium green bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)

1 tomato, thinly sliced (optional)

1.4 cup sliced olives (optional)

sliced peperoni or salami, if desired

1/2 cup shredded cheese (I use an Italian cheese blend)

Tomato paste or pizza sauce

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, salt and seasonings. In a saucepan, heat water and 2 tablespoons oil to 120 - 130 F. Add to dry ingredients; beat on low speed just until moistened. Beat on medium until batter is elastic and pulls away from sides of bowl. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (do not knead). Cover and let rest for 20 minutes.

2. Press 1/2 inch thick onto baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray or a thin coating of olive oil. Brush with remaining oil; top with whatever toppings you like and the cheese. Let rest for 15 minutes.

3. Bake at 425 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

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