Foccaccia

A Must try !
Bread making has always intrigued me. Always thought it would be a tough job, especially if you didn't  have a bread maker. 
Foccaccia , appeared to be an interesting preparation. My  tendency to try new and difficult things    forced me to try Foccaccia . I read several recipes on the net and also in cookbooks and this is a mish-mash of all the knowledge that I collected about baking a Foccaccia .

It turned out to be an amazing experience. Before it cooled completely , half was gobbled up by my family. You can play with the toppings based on your liking.

Gives one loaf measuring 8 by 12, serves 4 to 5.

Ingredients :

Flour	3 cups
Salt.	2tsp
Sugar	2tsp.
Dry active yeast	2 tsp
Water	1 cup
Olive oil	1 1/2 tbsp
Oregano	1 tsp
Thyme.	1 tsp
extra olive oil for brushing the dough.
Topping :
Onion.	1 chopped
Garlic.	1 tsp crushed
Olive.	10 halved
Garlic	5 -6 cloves thinly sliced.
olive oil	1 tbsp.

Method:

1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and let it sit for 10 min. It will froth up.
2. Mix flour, thyme oregano  and salt in a big bowl.
3. Make a hole in the centre of flour and pour yeast mixture and oil into it.
4. Knead well till everything comes together. You may have to add a couple of tablespoons of water more depending on your flour' s soaking capacity.
5. Next knead the dough on a floured counter for 7-10 min. , depending on your strength. 
6. The dough by this time would become smooth and pliable.
7. Keep it in an oiled bowl, roll it over to smear oil all over. Cover it with cling film and let it rest till doubled. Will take  1 to 2 hours depending on weather.
8. Take the dough out on the floured counter and punch it to release all the trapped air.
9. Knead it again for a couple of minutes.
10. Stretch it  a rectangle of 1/4 inch thickness and carefully place it on a well greased baking tray.
11. Don't forget to  place a greaseproof  paper on the baking tray first.
12. Cover it with a cling film and let it rest for 30-40 min.
13. Meanwhile take a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan and fry the garlic chips till golden and crisp. Keep them aside. In the same oil caramelise onions and crushed garlic.
14. Now make dimple all over the dough say one inch apart. Brush Olive oil generously over the dough. 
15. Press olives  and crispy garlic in the dimples that you just made on the dough.
16. Spread caramelised onion and garlic over the dough and press it lightly.
17. Sprinkle salt and pepper on it. You can sprinkle coarse salt also if you like.
18. Bake it in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for 20 min or till the crust turns golden on the sides.

It can be served with soup or pasta . First time I served it with Veg Chili Corn Carne.
First time  ? Yeah I have already made it twice in 4 days. Second time I served it with pasta. You can also slice it and make a sandwich.