A Foccacia is very much like pizza. Traditionally, there is no sauce or heavy cheese on top, but don't be limited by the lack of these two ingredients, the possibilities are endless. The Foccacia can be used as a pizza, as a bread in accompaniment to a soup or stew or split open and stuffed to make a delicious a panino or sandwich.

2 Teaspoons dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup very warm water
3 to 4 cups of flour
3 tablespoons of olive oil
3/4 cold water

Stir together yeast and sugar and add warm water. Stir and cover for about 10minute. Yeast is active and okay to use if it foams and has that great "yeasty" smell. In a mixer bowl, add flour and stir together with salt. Add yeast and blend. Add oil, blend. Slowly and over the flour mixture, add the cold water to stop yeast from rising. Mix with dough hook for about 3minutes, until smooth and elasatic. Add a little more water if the dough is dry or a little more flour if the dough is sticky. Remove to a floured board and knead until smooth. Place in a deep grease hours. Remove from bowl. Punch down and stretch into greased 12inch pizza pan. Let rest for about one hour, covered and kept warm. When ready to bake top with any of the following or create you favorite:
Brush with olive oil:
Sprinkle with italian salt, coarse pepper and rosemary.
Top with roasted red pepper strips, parsley and basil.
Sliced fresh tomatoes and chiffonade basil
Sliced fresh zucchini, parsley, dill, garlic, and grated parmesan/ Roasted eggplant, garlic, parsley, and crushed red pepper.
Artichoke and spinach spread.
Enjoy!! Buon Gusto !!