Foccacia Bread

Foccacia Bread
Originally uploaded by wayfarer.

Here is the recipe:

You can either buy foccacia bread mix for a short cut. Othersise, just use a dough recipe (many on the web). Key thing is to only let it rise a tiny bit (like 20-30 minutes). Spread on floured area and shape. Oil the baking sheet with olive oil. Put the dough on there and spread it out until it fits on the pan (it's not going to look perfect...that's okay) and then put dimples in the dough with your knuckles or a floured spoon. Brush lightly with olive oil and then spread pesto across the dough (again, you can buy it but i like to make mine fresh...recipe will follow). Then add sliced tomatos, parmesan cheese, mozzarella...whatever you want on there. I also slice up basil leaves and spread across it to give it color and a fresh taste. Top it off with rosemary and garlic. Put in oven (preheated to 400 degrees) for about 20 minutes - until it turns golden brown and the parmesan is a little crustry on top. Enjoy!

Pesto recipe (using a food processor):

1 ounce reggiano parmesan cut into pieces
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (toasting it brings out the oils)
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup packed basil leaves washed and completely dried (otherwise it won't mix right)
1/3 extra virgin olive oil

1. Chop cheese in food processor, remove and set aside
2. Chop pine nuts, remove and set aside
3. Chop garlic with salt (salt helps grind it), remove and set aside
4. Chop basil leaves, add half of the olive oil
5. Add the rest of the olive oil bit by bit
6. Add the cheese, garlic, pine nuts and grind until right consistency and it's well mixed.
7. Let sit for at least a half hour to let flavors mingle.