Focaccia Bread

Directions

1. 1
   combine warm water with sugar and yeast.
2. 2
   Put bowl in a warm place until the yeast is bubbling and aromatic at least 15 minutes.
3. 3
   In bowl of mixer with a dough hook, combine flour, salt, 1/2 cup of the olive oil and the yeast mixture on low speed until the dough has come together.
4. 4
   Continue to knead the dough for 5-6 minutes on medium speed until it becomes smooth and soft.
5. 5
   Give it a sprinkle of flour if the dough is really sticky.
6. 6
   Knead the dough by hand on a floured surface 1-2 times.
7. 7
   Give it another sprinkle of flour if the dough is sticky.
8. 8
   Coat the inside of the mixing bowl with olive oil and put the dough in it.
9. 9
   Cover with plastic.
10. 10
    Place in a warm place until doubled in size.
11. 11
    Coat the bottom of a jelly roll pan with the other 1/2 cup of olive oil.
12. 12
    Put the dough in the pan and press with your fingers to fit the pan.
13. 13
    As you are doing this spread your fingers out to make holes in the dough all the way to the pan.
14. 14
    The more hole the better the texture and appearance.
15. 15
    Let the dough double in size again in a warm place about 1 hour.
16. 16
    while the dough is rising a 2nd time, preheat the oven to 425. liberally sprinkle the dough with some coarse sea salt and lightly drizzle with more olive oil.
17. 17
    Bake until the top is golden brown about 25-30 minutes.
18. 18
    Let the bread cool before cutting it.