Rosemary Focaccia Loaves

Rosemary Focaccia Loaves

Ingredients:

• 1 c. warm (105-115 degrees Fahrenheit) water
• 1 Tbsp. yeast
• 1 Tbsp. white sugar
• 1 tsp. Kosher salt, plus more for sprinkling
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 2 Tbsp rosemary (dried or fresh), divided
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano leaves
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 2 1/4-2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

Directions: 

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Allow to stand for 10 minutes or until bubbly. While the yeast is getting bubbly, combine 2 C of the flour, salt, 1 1/2 Tbsp. rosemary, oregano and garlic powder.

Add flour mixture to yeast mixture along with 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Mix well. (I put it in my stand mixer with the dough hook on). Slowly add remaining flour to make a very soft dough–try and resist the urge to add too much flour.  You want a soft, wet dough.

Cover and allow to rise 45 min- 1 hour or until double in size.

Lightly flour your work surface and transfer dough onto this surface. Divide in half. Shape each half into a rounded loaf and place on a greased cookie sheet or pizza stone. Cover and allow to rise another 45 minutes.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Use remaining tablespoon of olive oil to brush over tops of loaves, discarding excess if you have any.  Sprinkle with remaining rosemary and some Kosher salt.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until very lightly golden-brown. Serve immediately (if you can) with olive oil and balsamic vinegar (if you want).

Notes:

This is so easy and so yummy! Really does taste like macaroni grill. There's nothing whole wheat or nutrient dense about this, but it is simple and pairs perfectly with soups or pasta (or just on it's own!). I like it, too, because we usually have all ingredients on hand. Finally, I never let it rise for the suggested time and it still always turns out! (My kitchen here in NYC does get quite hot and is very conducive to rising though). I don't have a bosch or kitchen aide so I just mix it with a spoon and it works fine. The dough is wetter than you would expect, but turns out great! I think Amie originally shared this with us so add anything you want, Am! I just had to buy more rosemary today because we've been making it so much:) Those ladies at ourbestbites are lovely! I hardly ever change one of their recipes to suit my taste. If you click the link below there are additional pictures that go along with the directions. 

Picture and recipe from: http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/11/rosemary-focaccia/