" Sweet Life" Sweet Potato Focaccia

Buster's friend's Note:

This recipe was submitted by Jessie Grearson, of Falmouth, Maine, in the first-ever National Festival of Breads bread-baking competition, sponsored by King Arthur Flour and Kansas Wheat. She was a finalist in the Time-Saving & Easy Breads category. What a knock your socks off bread! I love the use of savory ingredients with sweet potatoes & the use of King Arthur's Italian-style flour (have to order it from King Arthur). This recipe is a winner in my book! Thank you Ms. Jessie!

• Total Time: 7 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 7 hrs
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 24

Yield: 1.0 loaf

Dough

• 1 cup warm water (100 to 110 F)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 teaspoons yeast (Fleischmann's Active Dry)
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon rosemary, finely chopped fresh
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning (Penzey's Italian spice )
• 1/2 cup sweet potato, mashed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (coarse, Kosher & sea salt fine)
• 1 cup whole wheat flour (King Arthur Traditional 100%)
• 1 cup flour (King Arthur Italian‐,,Style)
• 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, divided (King Arthur)
• 2 -3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Topping

• 1 -2 tablespoon yellow cornmeal
• 1 garlic clove, large fresh, finely minced
• 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, fresh, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons asiago cheese, shredded
• black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
• 1 dash red cayenne pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• coarse salt, to taste

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, stir together warm water, honey & yeast. Let stand 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Add olive oil, rosemary, Italian spice, sweet potatoes, salt, ww flour & Italian-style flour. Stir vigorously for about 2 minutes. Gradually stir in enough ap flour to make a soft dough.
3. Turn out on lightly floured surface and knead in enough of the remaining ap flour to make a workable dough. Knead 5 to 8 minutes. Dough will be sticky but workable. Place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover. Let rise 1 1/2 hours in a warm place; alternatively cover dough & refrigerate 6 hours or overnight.
4. Allow dough to warm at least 30 minutes before shaping. .
5. Line a 18 x 13 1 inch pan with parchment paper & sprinkle with cornmeal. Gently press dough over the cornmeal dusted paper, stretching dough into a 15 x 11 x 1 inch rectangle. Cover dough & let rise 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Preheat oven to 400°F.
7. Dimple the dough vigorously with your fingertips, leaving up to 1/2 inch deep indentations. Sprinkle garlic, rosemary, Asiago cheese, black pepper & cayenne pepper over top. Drizzle with olive oil; sprinkle with coarse salt.
8. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Serve warm or at room temperature.