Garlic Herb Focaccia Bread

 Garlic Herb Focaccia Bread

Ingredients
 
2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons dry yeast
2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (we used rosemary and basil) – or dried, if fresh is not available
Kosher or sea salt
10 x 15-inch baking pan (jelly roll pan)

Directions

1.  In a bowl, place 2 cups warm water and 2 teaspoons dry yeast. Let stand for about 10 minutes.

2.  In the bowl of a stand mixer (or food processor), add 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, the yeast mixture, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 cup olive oil, and one teaspoon sugar. Stir the mixture together a bit using the dough hook from your mixer to start the mixture. Attach the dough hook, and then start to mix the dough on a low speed for about 12 minutes, slowly adding about 1/2 cup all purpose flour as the dough mixes, until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the bowl. (Alternatively, you can knead the dough by hand on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, adding the additional flour in the same way to get the dough to a smooth and elastic consistency.)

3.  Turn the mixture out into an oiled bowl. Cover with a towel, and wait about 1 1/2 hours, until it has doubled in size.

4.  Coat a 10 x 15-inch baking pan (jelly roll pan) with about 1 tablespoon oil. Punch down the dough, then knead it into a ball. Using your fingertips, spread the dough into the baking sheet. Let it rise for about 30 minutes in the pan until puffy.

5.  While you wait, do the following:
-Preheat the oven to 475°F.
-Mince 4 cloves garlic (about 2 tablespoons)
-Chop about 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (you can use more or less depending on your taste).

6.  After 30 minutes, drizzle the bread with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with minced garlic and herbs and several pinches of kosher or sea salt. Using your knuckle, make small indentations across the top of the bread, about 1/2 inch deep and about 1/2 inch apart.

7. Bake until browned, about 12 to 15 minutes.