Video:Rosemary Focaccia Bread

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Transcript:Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Hi, I'm Heidi Dehncke-Fisher and welcome to About.com. Today I am going to show how to make rosemary and cheese focaccia bread.

What is Focaccia Bread?

The name of this bread is taken from the Roman phrase "panis focacius," which refers to flatbread cooked over an open fire.

Often baked with herbs, cheese, or other seasonal ingredients, some folks view focaccia as the forefather of the modern-day pizza.

Focaccia Bread Ingredients

To make this focaccia bread, you will need:

• 1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 sprigs chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2/3 cup mozzarrella cheese

Make the Focaccia Bread Dough

Take the yeast, and combine with 1/2 cup of warm water. Let it sit until it becomes frothy, or about 10 minutes.

Combine the flour, salt, yeast mixture, and remaining water in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly, and then use your hands in order to blend all of the ingredients together.

Allow the Bread Dough to Rise

Flour your work space, and knead the dough by hand until smooth. Well oil a bowl for the dough to rise in and transfer. The rising takes 1 1/2 hours, until the dough is double its original size.

Bake the Rosemary Focaccia Bread

You can use a baking sheet or pizza stone for the next part, and shape the bread either in a circle or rectangle, depending on your preference.

Push your fingertips into the surface, making sure to leave indentations across the dough, and then drizzle with oil and sprinkle with coarse salt, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and rosemary.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake approximately 20 minutes or until it reaches a golden color.

Add Toppings to the Focaccia Bread

Many seasonal or regional variations include substituting 2-3 tablespoons of fresh chopped sage, or basil, or using sliced olives, or thinly sliced veggies like zucchini or onion.

I bet even capers would taste good. Many folks also top with Fontina cheese. That smells delicious. Be sure to serve warm or room temperature for the ultimate focaccia experience.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the Web at food.about.com.