FOCACCIA

Absolutely Out of this World Foccacia Bread

1 1/2 t. rapid rise yeast

1/2 c. all purpose flour

1/2 c. water (105 to 115 degrees)

1 1/3 c. cooked potatoes (approx. 2-3) grated.

2 T. olive oil plus extra for bowl and pan.

1 1/4 t. salt. 

2- 2 1/2 c. all purpose flour

Cook potatoes in a microwave oven until softened, let cool and then peel and grate. 

Mix yeast, 1/2 c. flour and 1/2 c. water well and cover with plastic wrap, let sit for 20 min.  (it will rise)

Preheat oven to low, (200 degrees)

After the yeast mix has risen.  Add the grated potatoes, olive oil and salt.  Mix in an upright mixer, or mix well by hand.  Add flour 1/2 c. at a time (slowly), add as much as needed until the dough is sticky and hangs on the hook, holds well together without being too dry. 

In a clean bowl add 1 T. olive oil and grease bowl well.  place dough in bowl and toss to coat.  Cover with towel, turn off oven and place dough in oven and let rise to double.  Remove dough from oven.

Preheat oven to 425

Remove dough from bowl.  Oil a cookie sheet and spread dough on cookie sheet pushing the dough to the corners and filling pan.  Take a spoon and press down into dough every few inches to make indents in dough.  Spread olive oil on top of dough with a brush.  Sprinkle with Italian seasoning. 

Bake for 25 min. or until brown.

(you can also melt 1/4 c. of butter (or we use earth balance non-dairy butter) with 2 T. of chopped garlic, remove bread from oven after it has cooked 20 min.  spread butter mix on top and bake an additional 5 min., this makes great garlic bread)

(note:  this dough also makes great pizza dough and bread sticks).