Fabulous Focaccia

This is just a simple and easy focaccia made with ingredients we usually have on hand.  This is my sister Jackie's recipe; we have made it frequently over the years.  You could dress it up with olives or sun-dried tomatoes...we usually don't.  You could add olive oil to the dough  (to make it more naughty) or roasted garlic.  Make sure you use "quick rising" yeast...it doesn't take long to make this focaccia.  When I make it, I make a double batch and stretch out the dough to fit in my blue roaster pan.  You could also form it into a traditional round.  It is best fresh from the oven; you could also make sandwiches with it.  I believe it is pronounced fo-ka-t-a in Italian.  I hope you enjoy it!

Recipe:

1 pkg. fast rising yeast

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups flour

1 cup water (105 - 115 degrees)

1 teaspoon rosemary

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (or several fresh cloves, finely chopped)

1/4 teaspoon thyme

2 tablespoons grated fresh parmesan cheese/or canned

2 tablespoons olive oil

Mix yeast, water and sugar.  Let sit for five minutes.  Add flour and salt to water mixture.  Knead by hand for five minutes (or use Kitchen-Aid or Bosch).  After kneading, let dough rest for ten minutes.  Spray 9 x 13 pan generously with cooking spray or use olive oil to grease pan. Press dough in pan.  You could also form dough into round.  Cover and let rise in warm place for 30 minutes.  Spread the olive oil, with pastry brush, over the top of the dough.  Press fingertips to form holes all over the bread (not deep enough to reach bottom of pan).  Sprinkle all spices and parmesan cheese over top of bread.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.  Cool in pan.