Delicious Focaccia

I made bread. A while ago. But I can still share it with you now. My co-worker, Kathryn, shared this recipe with me, and it's so easy. I never knew bread could be this easy. Which reminds me, I need to make it again sometime soon.

Part of the reason I really wanted to make it at the time was because I got this...





And this might seem silly to you, but I love this little piece of cooking equipment. With a Silpat nothing sticks! It's pretty awesome, especially after a few times working with dough and you end up using a ton of flour just so that the dough doesn't stick all over your counter and then you have to scrape off the last of it and ultimately scratch your counters. Clearly, I've had some difficulties. Not anymore!

Alright, well grab your Silpat and make some bread. This is Kathryn's recipe, verbatim.

Focaccia

· 1/2 c water, "baby bath" warm
· 2 1/4 tsp or 1 package yeast
· 1 tsp sugar
Mix sugar into water and sprinkle yeast on top. Stir gently, then let sit for about five minutes, until yeast activates (gets poofy).
· 2 cups flour
· 1 tsp salt
· More water, 1 tb at a time
· Splash of olive oil

Dump flour and salt in a bowl. Pour yeast mixture into middle and stir gently with a wooden spoon. Add water 1 tb at a time until you can pull the dough together; usually about 5 or 6 tbs. Pull dough onto counter and knead for 7-10 minutes, adding water or flour if you need to. It should start looking smooth on the outside. The "done kneading" test is to poke the dough; if the hole fills itself in again, it's good and springy. Cover and let rise for at least 30 minutes.
· Preheated oven to 450 degrees F.
· Salt/herbs/toppings to taste
Dough should have doubled in size. Punch in the middle, then pull out and knead 1-2 minutes. Flatten into a rectangle (or star, or trapezoid) about 1 inch thick. Put on pan (cookie sheet is fine). Brush olive oil over top and sprinkle with salt, herbs, parmesan cheese, etc. Put in oven for 8-10 minutes; it'll be done when the top is golden brown.