FocacCia bread

A good bread to go with your Salmon
We used to make Salmon all the time and just have regular old bread with it.  Then, we came across this recipe from a friend of ours in the neighborhood and it changed the meal completely.  As long as you plan ahead of time (this take a couple of hours to make happen because you have to let it rise), it makes for a lovely paring with our carrots and Salmon.  an easy weeknight meal that everyone loves.  I mean, who doesn't love warm bread?
Ingredients
  • 1 cup of warm water
  • 1 TBSP active dry yeast
  • 1 TBSP sugar
  • 2.25 - 2.5 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 TBSP dried or fresh Rosemary (optional)
  • 2 TBSP olive oil
Directions
  1. In a mixer, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar.  
  2. Let it stand for about 10 minutes to get bubbly.  
  3. While waiting for the yeast to do its thing, combine 2 cups of flour, the salt, and desired spices (Rosemary is optional at our house, which is heresy or high treason, but so be it).  
  4. Add the flour mixture to the yeast along with 1 TBSP of the olive oil.
  5. Put your dough hook on, and mix until you get a soft, sticky dough.  To do this, keep adding the rest of the flour until you get it just right.
  6. Cover, and allow to cool for 45 minutes to 1 hour until it doubles in size.
  7. Lightly flour your work surface and take your dough and divide it in half.  
  8. Shape each into a ball or a square or a triangle if you are feeling randy.  
  9. Place on a greased cookie sheet, cover and let rise again for 45 minutes.
  10. Heat over to 375 degrees.  Use the rest of the olive oil and brush it on the loaves.  Sprinkle with salt and Rosemary (if you want).
  11. Bake for 15-20 minutes (in our oven its 16 minutes on the nose) until its light golden brown.
  12. Time it so that the rest of your meal is done at the same time so its warm and fresh.  Serve it with olive oil for dipping or spread some butter on it and enjoy!