Autumn Focaccia Bread

Autumn signifies change. The lazy days of summer are coming to a screetching halt, the beginning of a new school year is a couple days away and it is time to hone things in. I love baking bread all year long, but there is something about freshly baked bread in the Fall. It is the fragrant smell of yumminess combined with fireplace fires, piles of leaves and shorter days that makes everything just that much more delightful!

Photo Credit: Kim Harris

Focaccia Bread
Lisa Pearson





Ingredients:

2 cups warm water

1 Tbsp. active dry yeast

3 cups bread flour

1 cup all purpose flour {I use half white/wheat}

1 Tbsp. sea salt

olive oil

rosemary

Herbes de Provence...if you are making the Herbes de Provence Sandwich {with Roasted Veggies}

salt and pepper to taste


Directions:
In a measuring cup, add yeast to warm water.

In a large mixing bowl, mix flour and salt. Add yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon
until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is smooth.


Cover dough and let rise for 1 to 1 ½ hours.


Pour dough onto Silpat


Spread out with oiled hands and dimple using your knuckles.


Brush with olive oil and add chopped rosemary, salt, pepper etc. OR Herbes de Provence if you are making the Herbes de Provence Focaccia Sandwich {with Roasted Veggies}


Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

*This may also be made on a well-oiled baking pan for crispier bread.

*These can also be made in individual pans as well.
The ones pictured I made in a "twinkie" pan.

Variation: Want healthy croutons packed with flavor and no preservatives and chemicals? Cut leftover bread into 1 inch cubes and toss in olive oil...not too much oil... and place on SILPAT and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Let cool and store in covered glass container.


*****I am reposting this recipe, because you are going to need it for our ROASTED VEGGIE FOCACCIA SANDWICH we will be making next week.

If you love ingredients from the south of France...this special Autumn lunch will be sure to be your new favorite!