Rosemary and Garlic Foccacia

Ingredients

2 teaspoons rapid-rising dry yeast

1 cup warm water

2 tablespoons sugar

4 cups flour

1 tablespoon salt

1/4 cup olive oil

Cornmeal, for dusting

Toppings:

2 tablespoons olive oil

25 roasted garlic cloves

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary

Directions

In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook, proof the yeast by combining it with the warm water and sugar. Stir gently to dissolve. Let stand 3 minutes until foam appears. Turn mixer on low and slowly add the flour and salt to the bowl. Pour in 1/4 cup olive oil. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium. Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Mix until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary.

Turn the dough out onto a work surface and fold over itself a few times. Form the dough into a round and place in an oiled bowl, turn to coat the entire ball with oil so it doesn’t form a skin. Cover with plastic wrap or damp towel and let rise over a gas pilot light on the stovetop or other warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Coat a sheet pan with a little olive oil and corn meal. Once the dough is doubled and domed, turn it out onto the counter. Roll and stretch the dough out to an oblong shape about 1/2-inch thick. Lay the flattened dough on the pan and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest for 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Uncover the dough and dimple with your fingertips. Brush the surface with more olive oil and then add the garlic and rosemary. Bake on the bottom rack for 15 to 20 minutes.

Italian Olive Oil Fig Cake

This fig cake was made for my mother for Mother’s Day. The recipe is from my aunt who is now in heaven. I have no clue where the recipe came from but I do know it’s been with my aunt for a very long time. I miss my aunt so much. She was one of the best bakers I’ve ever had the opportunity of to eat her works. I dont know if that makes sense but yeah, she was amazing. She would always give us leftovers in wax paper sandwich bags and fold them so neatly. I miss seeing my mom and nana with her. She would make us all so happy.