Fast and Simple Focaccia Bread

While making soup one day I thought, wouldn't this soup be great with some fresh bread? However, I had no desire of going to the store and the thought of making bread can sound so tasking and time consuming....and then I remembered FOCACCIA Bread. A thin bread, quick and easy to make, and it tastes as though it took all day to make! You can use it as fancy sandwich bread, Garlic bread, or even for a unique bread like pizza crust! you can top the bread dough with whatever herbs, spices, cinnamon sugar, you like to make it your own. Here is my recipe for some Italian garlic bread on a whim:

Simple Foccacia BreadIngredients1 teaspoon white sugar
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
(if you don't have whole wheat flour, just use all purpose, I like a bit of whole wheat flour for its nutty flavor)
2 tablespoons olive oil, canola oil, or melted butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
Have a cup of water set aside.
garlic salt to taste
fresh or dried rosemary to taste
Parmesan cheese to taste

Directions
In a small bowl, dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water.
Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl (or stand mixer with dough hook attachment), combine the yeast mixture with flour; stir well to combine (or mix on low speed).
Add 1/8 tsp of salt.
Stir in additional water 1 tablespoon at a time until all of the flour is absorbed.
(If you added too much water, add in more flour a little at a time just so the dough isn't sticky.)

When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly for about 1 minute. (If using a stand mixer, continue on low-medium speed until the dough climbs up the dough hook.)

Lightly oil a large bowl (you can use cooking spray if you like, and spray the dough as well instead of turning it to coat), place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil.

Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C).

Turn dough out onto a lightly greased baking sheet patting it down, spreading it out to about 1/2 -3/4 of an inch thickness or whatever you desire.

Brush the dough with oil or melted butter and sprinkle with garlic salt, fresh chopped (or dried) rosemary, Parmesan cheese.

Bake focaccia in preheated oven for 10 minutes. If you want it crispy add 5 minutes.

As I said before, you can adjust the seasonings to really whatever your in the mood for - even dessert! Enjoy!