Homemade Rosemary Focaccia

Focaccia is a flat, oven-baked Italian bread. It has a soft, spongy texture and is perfect for eating alone or making sandwiches. It isn't traditionally made with whole wheat flour, but I found that its' addition lends a heartier quality to the bread, while still maintaining that soft texture we all love.

2 cups stoneground whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups unbleached flour
1 tsp. sea salt
1 1/2 cups warm water (105-110 degrees)
1 tbsp. raw honey or sugar
1 package active dry yeast (I use Rapid Rise)
3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
3 garlic cloves, minced
fresh rosemary
sea salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine flours and salt. Next, in a glass measuring cup, sprinkle the yeast over the warm water. Stir in honey and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until it begins to bubble. Add to dry ingredients, along with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix until dough comes together, adding a little more unbleached flour if necessary. Knead for a few minutes. Transfer to a well oiled bowl and let rise (in a warm place) until doubled in bulk. This takes approximately 30 minutes for Rapid Rise yeast and an hour for standard yeast.

Punch dough down and transfer to a ceramic casserole or baking sheet. Roll out, about 1 inch thick. With your fingertips, press rows of deep holes into the dough. Sprinkle with minced garlic, fresh rosemary and sea salt. Drizzle with olive oil.
Cover and let rise for 20 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cool completely before slicing & eating.

Tortilla Pizza

I love making lunch for the boys, but Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches only last so long until I'm ready to throw them out the window. So I made this:

Ingredients:

• Tortilla's (I used Fajita sized)

• Spaghetti Sauce

• Cheese

• Pineapple

• Olives

• Pepperoni

• Any other toppings you want - This is all I had in the house at the time.

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350˚F.

2. Place Tortillas on a baking sheet.

3. Spread 2 Tbl of Spaghetti Sauce onto the Tortilla.

4. Place toppings on.

5. Sprinkle Cheese on top.

6. Cook 10-15 minutes or until Cheese is melted and Tortilla edges are browned.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

I really love the flavor of this sauce - I've been seriously craving it ever since I made it. The tomatoes with the sweet onions, garlic and herbs is just too good.

3 medium sized fresh tomatoes

1 28 oz. can whole, peeled or diced tomatoes in tomato juice

1 medium onion
3 cloves garlic
a little fresh oregano or basil (or both), stems removed
extra virgin olive oil
sea salt


Dice the onions and mince garlic. Cut tomatoes into quarters. Heat a saucepan or dutch oven to medium heat. Add a couple tablespoons of olive oil, fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes, onion and garlic. Throw in the fresh herbs and about 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst and the veggies are tender. If you like things spicy, add some red pepper flakes at this point. Puree it in a blender or food processor (I puree about half of mine and leave the other half chunky).


Toss with 1/2 pound of whole wheat pasta and top with grated parmesan.


serves 4-6

Whole Wheat Crust & Pizza

Homemade Pizza (Curst Too!)

1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1¼ tsp active dry yeast
1 tsp salt
½ tsp granulated sugar
¾ cup hot water (120° to 130°F)
1 Tbs extra- virgin olive oil

1. Combine flours, yeast, salt and sugar in a food processor; pulse to mix. COmbine hot water and oil in a measuring cup. With the motor running, gradually pour in enough of the hot liquid until the mixture forms a sticky ball. The dough should be quite soft. If it seems dry, add 1 to 2 Tablespoons warm water; if too sticky, add 1 to 2 Tablespoons of flour. Process until dough forms a ball, then process for 1 minute to knead.

2. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Coat a sheet of plastic wrap with cooking spray and place it, sprayed-side down, over the dough. Let the dough rest for 10 to 20 minutes before rolling.

3. Place a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet on the lowest oven rack; preheat oven to 500°F. or highest setting. Roll and top the pizza as desired and bake the pizza until the bottom is crisp and golden, 10 to 14 minutes.

Yield: 1 pound of dough – enough for 1 pizza crust

No put whatever toppings you want. SOOO GOOD!! Again, Cody stamp of approval! Even the boys LOVED it!