Focaccia Bread With Cherry Tomatoes And Onions

Making focaccia bread is easier than you might have thought. This simple bread can be topped with anything you want before baking. Try onion and cherry tomatoes as a topping or perhaps some thinly sliced mushrooms and Italian cheese. Wonderful served still warm from the oven, focaccia is a great side dish whatever the main course happens to be. The subtle yet distinctive rosemary flavor makes this focaccia extra-tasty.

Treat your taste buds to a traditional Italian treat. Focaccia bread pairs wonderfully with some Italian olive oil for dipping.

Focaccia Bread Recipe

Ingredients: 

• 4 cups all-purpose flour 
• 2 teaspoons salt 
• 2 teaspoons dry yeast 
• 1 tablespoon sugar 
• 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F) 
• 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling 
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped 
• Cherry tomatoes, for decoration
• Red onion, for decoration
• Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling 

Instructions: 

1. Prepare the Dough:
   In a large bowl, combine the flour and 2 teaspoons of salt. 
   In a separate small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes frothy. 
   Pour the yeast mixture and 1/4 cup of olive oil into the flour mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a dough forms. 
2. Knead the Dough: 
   Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning it to coat all sides. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. 
3. Shape and Second Rise: 
   Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to an oiled baking sheet. Stretch the dough out to cover the sheet. 
   Cover with a damp cloth and let rise again for about 20 minutes. 
4. Preheat and Garnish: 
   Preheat your oven to 400°F. 
   Use your fingers to dimple the surface of the dough. Drizzle it with more olive oil and sprinkle generously with chopped rosemary and coarse sea salt. 
5. Bake: 
   Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top. 
   Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on a wire rack.