Kim's Focaccia

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups flour (all purpose or bread flour)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 (1/4 ounce) packet active dry yeast (scant tablespoon of bulk yeast)
• 2 tablespoons italian seasoning
• 1 dash ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons granulated garlic or 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• optional sea salt

Recipe

• 1 mix the yeast, sugar and water in a small bowl. let proof until bubbles begin to form.
• 2 in large bowl, stir together remaining dry ingredients.
• 3 add the yeast mix and one tablespoon of oil to the dry ingredients and combine.
• 4 when dough has pulled together, turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.
• 5 if you are using a stand mixer, proof the yeast mixture in the bowl and add the mixed dry ingredients to the bowl.
• 6 oil a large bowl, place dough in bowl and turn to coat with oil.
• 7 cover with damp cloth and let rise in warm place 25 minutes.
• 8 preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• 9 punch dough down, place in 10" cast iron skillet. drizzle dough with remaining oil. alternatively, place dough on a greased baking sheet and pat dough into 1/2-inch thick rectangle (doesn't have to be perfect).
• 10 using your fingers, make indentations in the dough about 1/2-inch apart, then prick dough with fork.
• 11 allow dough to rise another half hour.
• 12 optional: lightly sprinkle dough with kosher or sea salt.
• 13 bake for 13-15 minutes on a baking sheet, or 22-30 minutes if you are using cast iron. it should be a deep golden brown; use a wooden skewer or toothpick to test doneness.
• 14 notes: you may use less oil in the baking dish, i like the richness the olive oil gives the bread. a single batch fits the 10" skillet perfectly; the bread should rise at least 3/4" of the way to the rim.