I decided to tackle something I’ve always wanted to try – homemade bread! Not just sweet bread, like banana bread, but more the savory type. I figured I’d start with something easy – focaccia.
I decided to try out this easy focaccia I found on AllRecipes.com – click for recipe. I used all purpose flour instead of bread flour, just because I didn’t have any on hand and didn’t feel like going to the store.
The only problem with the recipe was the fact that it had yeast in it. I don’t have anything against yeast…it’s just that I’m not very good at working with it. I’ve used it a time or two and every time, I seem to do something wrong.
This time, I carefully followed the instructions on the back of the package (since I was using active dry, while the recipe calls for instant), but I somehow still flubbed it.
I used nittanyjones’ tip to use the stand mixer’s dough hook on speed #2 for 2 minutes for the kneading part.
The bread never really did much rising.
I did manage to work on my crochet ripple blanket while I waited for the first round of rising.
Then, it was onto the pressing. The focaccia was starting to take shape!
Add some dimples.
Add seasoning. I skipped the parmesan and instead added coarse salt. Rosemary focaccia is my favorite flavor of focaccia, so I stuck with the main flavor component, using dried rosemary. I thought about using some of the fresh rosemary in my herb garden, but I figured that would just burn easier than dried.
I waited with fingers crossed while the focaccia baked.
When I pulled it from the oven, I found this beautiful creation. Ta-da!
With my baking success, I was ready to move on to dinner.
Hubby’s brother stopped by on his way out of town to have dinner with us. We started with salads….
…before cutting into the delicious-smelling focaccia. Boy did it make the house smell yummy!
We made a family favorite for dinner – Ina’s Linguine with Shrimp Scampi.
Hello carb-load! lol
The focaccia never really rose like it was supposed to, but guess what…it was still delicious! Woohoo! Can’t wait to try some new flavors! 🙂
Wow, I want to try making that!!! Looks awesome 🙂
I usually have good luck using yeast. However, I made Parker House Rolls for Thanksgiving and they never really rose. Still tasted alright, but they were small and a little dense. :-/ I think I screwed it up by not making sure my water was warm enough at the beginning…I never really activated the yeast! That or it was just dead…it definitely didn’t foam up the way it should, but I forged ahead instead of throwing it out and starting over. Lesson learned!
But I think that’s the real trick…making sure you get it warm and activated right at the beginning. Like I said, I’ve never had a problem making yeast-risen breads and things until this last time…so maybe that’s where you took a wrong turn?
I’ve also been wanting to try focaccia! Great job even if it didn’t rise correctly.
Blast, I should have tried some of your fabulous focaccia while I was there!!! I figured a cookie was enough of a treat for me though. 🙂
oh my – that bread looks perfect!!!
Rosemary bread is my favourite EVER. I usually do the flavour combo in biscuits because they don’t require yeast 😉 When I’m feeling adventurous enough to try it again I will definitely remember this recipe!
mmm that focaccia looks great, even if it didn’t “turn out.” i should make some soon, i haven’t in a while.
Love foccaca, that looks amazing.
Yummy! I want to make some immediately! Looks amazing!
YUM!! Found your site a few days ago. Just need to say that I love it!
So glad you found my blog Karen! Thank you so much for your sweet comment! 🙂
That meal looks delicious. Your focaccia looks great :).
Your bread looks delicious! I wish I could get over my fear of green herbs on food 🙁