Parmesan Focaccia Bread

This is an easy, yummy focaccia recipe to make with soup for a cold days' dinner.  I've made this recipe quite a few times and the family loves it.  It makes 2 round loaves, and they are baked in cake pans. 

Parmesan Focaccia Bread

adapted from Allrecipes.com

1 1/3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

2 teaspoons yeast
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
4 1/4 cups flour (I use one cup of whole wheat pastry flour)
1/3 cup olive oil (or to taste!)
1/4-1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (use more of less to taste)

1.  In a large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer) place the yeast and water.  Pour the warm water over it, and allow to bloom for 5-10 minutes.  Yeast should foam and bubble.  Mix in the  salt, olive oil, oregano, and 2 cups of the flour.  Mix together well, and then knead, adding in as much flour as necessary to form a smooth, firm, non-sticky dough.  I knead in my Kitchenaid, but you can also knead by hand- about 8-10 minutes. 

2.  Transfer the dough to an well-oiled bowl, and turn once to grease top.  Let rise about one hour.  Then, transfer the dough into two oiled, 8 inch, round baking tins (I use cake pans). Allow to rise until doubled in bulk (about 30 minutes).  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

3.Poke the loaves all over with your finger, right to the bottom of the tin. Allow to rest for another five or ten minutes.

4.Pour olive oil over the top of the loaf, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

5.Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) in center of oven for approximately 20 minutes, until golden.

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