Foccacia Bread

This is the most delicious foccacia bread I've had, and I'm very grateful to the friend who gave me this recipe. There are endless ways to make it depending on your favorite toppings of course. I like to add garlic and parmesan to the dough, and top with herbs and more cheese. It makes two baking sheets full of bread.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 30
• Yields: 2 sheets

Ingredients

• 3  cups water (warm 110 degrees)
• 5  teaspoons sugar
• 1⁄2 tablespoon  yeast
• 4 1⁄2 cups flour (plus more for dusting)
• 1 3⁄4 cups semolina flour
• 2 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 1  tablespoon garlic (minced) (optional)
• 1⁄4 cup parmesan cheese (grated) (optional)

Directions

1. Proof the yeast in the warm water and sugar for about 10 min, until foamy. In mixer bowl, combine the flour, semolina, salt, and garlic and parmesan if adding (or other ingredients you would like inside the dough). Add the olive oil to the yeast water and pour into the flour mixture. Mix with the dough hook until a smooth dough forms. It will be sticky.
2. Heavily flour a smooth suface such as a cutting board. Pour dough onto the suface, and roll dough around a bit to coat the outside with flour, then place into a large oiled bowl. Cover, and let rise until doubled.
3. When doubled, dump the dough out onto your floured surface again and coat a large knife with oil, cut the dough into 2 equal portions. Fold each dough piece into a rectangle shape the best you can, it doesn't have to be perfect, then place seam side down onto each baking sheet. Let the dough rest for a few minutes. Then with well oiled fingers spread the dough out, it may not fill the entire pan, don't spread it too thin. Brush the tops with olive oil and add your favorite toppings. Let rise again until doubled. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes.