Focaccia Bread

Ingredients:

3 cups of flour
1 cup plus 1 TBSP warm water
2 tsp Active dry or instant yeast
2 TBSP olive oil
1 1/4 tsp of salt (I used fresh cracked pink salt)
For topping: garlic powder, dried thyme, olive oil, salt

Directions: 

1. Add warm water to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the yeast into the water and let bloom for 30-60 seconds until dissolved. 

2. Add oil and salt

3. Add roughly half of the flour and start mixing with a wooden spoon. Add remaining flour and keep mixing. 

4. When it's just barely together, pull out of the bowl onto the counter and start kneading by hand for 8 minutes. I didn't need any extra flour here, it came together nicely. But, if you dough is too sticky, add just a sprinkling of flour to help it stay together. 

5. Generously oil a large bowl. Rub the dough around in the bowl with olive oil to coat the dough completely. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for at least 30 minutes. If it's the winter or it's cooler in your house, you may need 45-60 minutes. 

6. Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper. Oil the pan so the parchment paper sticks to the pan, then oil the paper where you're about to put the dough. 

7. Carefully stretch dough out into the pan, being careful not to deflate the dough too much and press too hard. Once the dough is stretched in the pan, poke your finger tips all around. 

8. Brush the dough with olive oil. Sprinkle with thyme, salt, garlic powder. Let rise again for 30 minutes. 

9. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake the bread for about 18-20 minutes or until just golden on the top 

10. Let cool in the pan, on a rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.  

To grill - cut into pieces, brush with butter and grill on high heat for 1-2 minutes per side.