Focaccia Bread (Popped Amaranth)

Popped Amaranth Focaccia Bread

1 1/2 cups warm water 

2 cups flour

1 Tbsp. Saf instant yeast

Mix together then add ingredients below and mix well. Let rise for 15 minutes if you have the time. If not continue on.

1/2 cup sourdough stater

1 1/2 Tbsp. of honey or sugar

1 cup of popped amaranth 

(You can pop amaranth by heating a tall pan on high, put your hand over the heat about 5 inches above the bottom of the pan. When it feels hot on your hand pop your amaranth a teaspoon at a time. It is very sensitive. If it is to hot it will burn it. You will throw it away. If it isn't hot enough it will warm it to hot then burn. That is why I do a teaspoon at a time. When you get it to the right temperature, turn it down a little, because it will get to hot. Soon you will become an expert and you can pop a tablespoon at a time. Remember when you pop amaranth there will always be some that does not pop. Don't worry about it at all. It is just fine.)

1 1/2 tsp. of salt

1 Tbsp. olive oil

Add more flour about 1-2 more cups. Leave a soft pliable constancy. Not to sticky.

Direction: Mix your water and add enough flour to make a pancake consistency. About 2 cups, add the yeast and mix.  Add the rest of your ingredients. Gradually add the flour until dough pulls away from sides of the Bosch bowl. Mix for 7 minutes. Roll out dough in a round to look like a pizza. I use the pizza/pasta roller. It has a little rolling pins on each end.  I also place the dough on a piece of parchment paper with a little flour. Roll out then let rise until double. About a half of an hour.  When it has risen make finger wells in the dough. All over the dough. Then pour olive oil in the holes and spread the oil with a pastry brush. Spread a bread dipping spice over the dough. We have Rosamaria, Parmesan, Tuscany or Sicilian. You can also use rosemary. Then sprinkle a little kosher salt over the top (Put your pizza stone in oven and heat to 500 degrees) When it is heated turn it down to 450. Cook for 7-10 minutes, or until pizza is light brown on the bottom. Yield: 3 medium pizzas.  You can use this for pizza, or you can eat it with spaghetti or lasagna. It is amazing!