Focaccia with Grapes

Notes/Suggestions: Focaccia is basically pizza dough rolled out to cook like bread.  Here we add grapes for an interesting taste

Dough Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of warm water
  • 1 tbs granulated sugar
  • ¼ oz (1 envelope) of active dry yeast (or 2 ¼ tsp of bread machine yeast)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 ¼ cups of unbleached all purpose flour (I combine ½ all purpose and ½ white wheat flours)
  • ¼ cup of olive oil

Directions:

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in the warm water. The water should be about 110 degrees, if it is too hot it will kill the yeast, if it is too cool, it will not activate the yeast. It should feel like a comfortable bath to the touch.
  2. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and stir gently until it dissolves, about a minute.
  3. Let it stand for about 5 minutes until a thin layer of foam covers the surface.
  4. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of the flour(s) and salt together using a whisk to aerate. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour the yeast mixture and the oil into the center.
  5. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the liquid making sure to scrape down the sides.
  6. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, using some of the remaining ¼ cup of flour. Knead the dough until it is smooth and springy, and no longer sticky, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining flour as needed.
  7. Shape the dough into a ball and put it into a bowl that has been brushed with olive oil. Turn the dough to coat all sides with the oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place in a warm dry place for about an hour to an 1 ½ hours to rise.
  8. After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down with your fist and knead briefly to get out all the air bubbles. You are ready to make pizza, Stromboli, calzones, foccaccia, and even pretzels.

Focaccia with Grapes:

  • Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about the size of your cookie sheet.
  • Grease the bottom of your cookie sheet or line with parchment paper or baking mat.
  • Transfer the dough tot he prepared cookie sheet and using your fingers or knucks evenly spread the dough to the edges.
  • Use a fork and poke min holes trough out hte dough.
  • Cut seedless grapes in your choice of colors and spread them evenly through out the dough
  • Sprinkle about 2 Tbsp of chopped rosemary, some salt and ground black pepper over the top, then drizzle a bit of olive oil on top too.
  • Optional:  You can also sprinke a bit of cheese on top too, but you don't have too.
Bake in an 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until the dough is golden brown, but not too dry. 
Cut the bread into portions and wrap in parchment paper. Put into lunchboxes with cheese, meats and a piece of fruit.  Delish!