Rosemary Foccacia

Since the domestication of wheat, bread was central to the formation of early human societies. To this day, there is no smell more comforting then freshly baked bread coming out of the oven. No matter where you live, bread plays a main role in our food scene. Whether its French Baguette, German sourdough, Mexican tortillas or Indian Roti. We all have a bread version we cling on to that makes us feel comfortable. Breads been around since 8,000 BC and for most part has the same basic ingredients, flour, water and salt. In modern days, bread has gotten more sophisticated in flavor, shape and variety, but the basic ingredients stay the same; flour, water salt.

Ingredients

1 pkg. dry yeast

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1-1/4 cups water, room temperature

3-1/2 cups bread flour

2 teaspoons salt

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/8 cup fresh rosemary leaves

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

Directions

Dissolve yeast and sugar in water. Place flour in a bowl and make a well in center of flour. Pour the yeast mixture into well, and begin to mix.

Add salt and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Continue to mix until the dough forms a mass. Remove dough from bowl and knead on a lightly flour surface until smooth.

Form dough into a ball and place it in a light oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to rise until double. Then punch down and remove from bowl.

Generously coat a baking pan (13x9 inches) with olive oil. Place dough in oiled pan, spreading it evenly with your finger tips into the corners of the pan. Brush surface with olive oil and sprinkle with Kosher salt and fresh rosemary leaves.

Again, allow to rise until double and bake at 400F˚ for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 1 loaf

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