Recipe thread

**Kate** · 10-03-08, 02:56 PM

I'm still getting to know you so I don't know who all are the experts at cooking, although I think BC is.

What I'm looking for is a GREAT recipe for Focaccia Bread. I found some online, but I'm looking for someone who's actually made it and can attest that it's freaking great.

Dying to have you all share your favorite recipes and if you don't mind, I'll share mine too.

So who's first, and who can help with the bread?

Thanks much.

Katey

**irishmick** · 10-03-08, 03:14 PM

Hey Kate! Here's the recipe I use (I'm sure BC will have a great recipe to share as well!). I absolutely love this and end up putting onions, cheese, and olives on top. Sometimes I'll even just throw whole garlic cloves into the batter (there's really no end to what you can put in it), and it's great! It's also great, if you want it a little sweeter, to leave the salt off the top and put dried fruit (cranberries, etc) on top...it's so versatile!

1 Tbsp honey (you can use sugar if you're in a pinch and out of honey)
2 cups warm water
1 Tbsp active dry yeast
1 Tbsp kosher salt
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 c diced onion
5 c all-purpose flour, or as needed (I tend to make this with wheat flour, but that's just my preference)
3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 c finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp kosher salt (this is for the topping, and I never use this much salt as I'm not a big fan and it makes it too salty for my tastes)

Dissolve honey in the warm water in a large bowl, then sprinkle yeast over the top. Let stand for 5 minutes or until the yeast softens and begins to foam. Stir in 1 Tbsp salt, 1 Tbsp olive oil, onions, and flour until the dough comes together. Knead on a well-floured surface until smooth and elastic (about 5 minutes). 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 20 minutes).

Preheat oven to 415 degrees F.

Place dough onto oiled baking sheet, and flatten to cover the whole sheet evenly. Use the tips of your fingers to make indentations all over the dough, spaced about 1 inch apart. Drizzle the focaccia with 3 Tbsp olive oil, then sprinkle rosemary, Parmesan cheese, onions, and remaining 1 Tbsp salt over the top. Let rise for another 10 minutes.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

**Cool Breeze** · 10-03-08, 04:55 PM

1) Go to Stop & Shop.

2) Proceed to the frozen section.

3) Choose your bread.

4) Pay for the item.

5) Follow directions for microwave cooking.

6) Eat.

**Kate** · 10-03-08, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by irishmick

It's also great, if you want it a little sweeter, to leave the salt off the top and put dried fruit (cranberries, etc) on top...it's so versatile!

Place dough onto oiled baking sheet, and flatten to cover the whole sheet evenly. Use the tips of your fingers to make indentations all over the dough, spaced about 1 inch apart. Drizzle the focaccia with 3 Tbsp olive oil, then sprinkle rosemary, Parmesan cheese, onions, and remaining 1 Tbsp salt over the top. Let rise for another 10 minutes.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

OMG, Irish, it sounds great. And the toppings are the best part. I'm a veggie type of person, so I'd love to smother it with red peppers, onions and mushrooms. YUM!

I'm wondering though if I substituted some finely shredded Locatelli cheese instead of the Parm if would taste just as good. I love the "bite" Locatelli has.

The dried fruit sounds just as good as veggies.

I definitely have to make some this weekend. YUM!

Thanks so much!

**Kate** · 10-03-08, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Cool Breeze

1) Go to Stop & Shop.

2) Proceed to the frozen section.

3) Choose your bread.

4) Pay for the item.

5) Follow directions for microwave cooking.

6) Eat.

Good God! This is exactly the reason why you need me to cook for you!

**irishmick** · 10-03-08, 05:48 PM

Kate, the cheese substitution should be fine. Just make it the way *you* like it.

**Kate** · 10-03-08, 05:51 PM

Thanks, Irish.

**Pinki** · 10-03-08, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by Cool Breeze

1) Go to Stop & Shop.

2) Proceed to the frozen section.

3) Choose your bread.

4) Pay for the item.

5) Follow directions for microwave cooking.

6) Eat.

My thoughts exactly

I gave up cooking when I got divorced and I dont remember how to

**Buttercup** · 10-03-08, 07:30 PM

Irishmick's recipe is very, very similar to one that I've used and it is absolutely great. Sometimes I'll top it with Parmesan, roasted peppers, and garlic, or goat cheese and figs or caramelized onion and goat cheese, it depends on what I have on hand and what else if anything I'm going to eat. Quite often I'll sprinkle crumbled blue cheese on top and then drizzle a little wildflower honey over it. If you like blue cheese, you will love it - that's one of my comfort food combinations.

Locatelli is a Pecorino Romano cheese and would be just as good as a Parmesan.