Thursday, January 15, 2009

"Baking Bread"


This is one of the easiest and best tasting breads I have ever made.
I have a Kitchen Aid mixer so I don't shy away from breads that require kneading
but this is a no knead, all in one bowl bread!
It is so aromatic that the whole house smells heavenly.
And one of the best parts is making panini sandwiches out of it later.
Because it is thin, it slices perfectly through the loaf
and heats up through and through when you use a
panini maker or even a pan with a lid.


Right out of the oven, I pulled some off and
dipped into a mixture of softened butter and olive oil!
OH MY!
My hubby is making a BIG POT of spaghetti sauce as I write and we are having that over Ron Zoni thin spaghetti with a few organically grown brussel sprouts on the side.....
with a nice glass of Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon!

It's cold outside but warm in our home tonight!
The couple that cooks together........eats well......
and loves well, too!


Rosemary Focaccia Bread

2 cups warm water
2 Tbsp yeast
4 cups bread flour
1 tsp salt

extra-virgin olive oil
2 stalks fresh rosemary
kosher salt to taste
pepper to taste

In a large mixing bowl, mix yeast into warm water (with one tsp sugar),
then mix in flour and salt.
Blend with a spoon just until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Don’t beat!
Cover, allowing the dough to rise, for approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
Brush a baking pan ( I use a cookie sheet or pizza pan) with olive oil.
Pour half the dough onto the pan, then gently brush the surface of the bread with olive oil.
With your fingers, pull small holes throughout the dough.
Chop fresh rosemary.
I use some fresh, some dried and thyme to sprinkle over the top,
along with the sea salt and pepper.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 17 minutes.

Turn the broiler on for just a minute to brown the top if needed.

Makes 2 flat loaves

Tonight to make it even better, I used 1 cup of whole wheat flour and 2 Tbsp of flax meal.
You don't even notice a difference but it's healthier!
ENJOY!

13 comments:

Happy@Home said...

Oh wow - does that ever look yummy. I have a huge rosemary bush outside my kitchen door and I must try this bread. It sounds easy.

It seems as though you and your husband had a perfect evening.

Unknown said...

I stopped to by to say hello and tell you I've made my puzzle easier! The hint is in the clue itself. Another one just from me - flickr. I am so glad I stopped by because I have to make this bread. My daughter who graduated from culinary school is a baker. It seems too intimidating to me, but if this a no knead, I am going to give it a try! Thank you so much for reading my stories. It means so very much to me! Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

Mmm...Focaccia bread is my favorite bread ever. Especially love the ones with lots of olive oil and garlic. yummy.
Just wanted to stop by to say thank you for your input at my blog about my giveaway I hope to be doing soon.:)
Take care!
~Salina

Linda Q said...

Oh that looks Soooo good! Enjoy and eat some for me too!
Linda

Catherine Holman said...

That looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Hugs,
Cathie

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Welcome back! We will have to get together soon...There is another blogger who lives in Greenville, SC that I have met and I would love the three of us to get together...wouldn't that be fun?

Your bread sounds good. I am going to try it!
Penny

Phyllis said...

I'm going to have to try this - I'm a breadaholic from way back.

It's so cold in the house, I wonder if I can even get the yeast to rise?? I'll give it a shot.

Thanks for sharing!

Chanda said...

Yum, your bread looks scrumptious. The lady I know who makes dolls sculpts is Diana Effiner. i'm not sure if I have spelled her last name right or not and I don't have the phone book handy right now. there is usually several of her dolls for sale on ebay by some collectors down sizing and such. you might even google her name, it is so worth it. If you ever come to town for a doll making and painting class, we can get together at the cafe for a cup of joe.

Unknown said...

Dianne, I am going to try it this weekend. Me and baking, well, not very successful but I have eaten and love this bread. Somehow, I think it's easy peasy..if I dont have kosher salt can I use the normal salt, what's kosher BTW? yummy :D

Lallee said...

This looks SO delicious. I can almost taste it.

Thank you for your very kind words on the loss of our kitty Winston. I am so very, very sorry for the loss of yours too. {{{HUGS}}}

I'm tagging you for a picture meme so check my blog later.

Cory said...

yummy...will visit again

Can not find your email for the giveaway, please send

Cheryl said...

This bread looks so yummy! I love breads so I very may well give this a try. The healthier version of course!

Janet said...

This recipe sounds soooo good! I copied it and will try it soon. Thanks for sharing it with us.