Meal for a Winter Evening

Had some delicious homemade Chicken and Rice soup and Focaccia Bread for dinner tonight. It was the perfect meal for a cold winter evening. It was the first time I tried this particular Focaccia recipe. It was quick and easy, and tasty. I may try some others recipes as well, but I did enjoy this one. I added sea salt and herbs on top of the olive oil, and without that I feel it would have been too bland.








Easy Focaccia Bread

Ingredients

1 teaspoon white sugar
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt (I added a bit more salt, because some of the reviews said it was bland.)

*** Pay close attention when it tells you to add additional water one tablespoon at a time. You must do this to bring it all together to a nice consistency.
Directions
1.In a small bowl, dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2.In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with flour; stir well to combine. Stir in additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until all of the flour is absorbed. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly for about 1 minute.
3.Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes.
4.Preheat oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C).
5.Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface; knead briefly. Pat or roll the dough into a sheet and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Brush the dough with oil and sprinkle with salt.
6.Bake focaccia in preheated oven for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on desired crispness. If you like it moist and fluffy, then you'll have to wait just about 10 minutes. If you like it crunchier and darker in the outside, you may have to wait 20 minutes.

**** Before baking, I took my fingertip and made little "dimples" in the bread. I then coated it with olive oil, and covered with herbs and some sea salt. I used rosemary and a bit of basil and oregano.)