Homemade focaccia

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water

1 package active dry yeast

3 1/2 to 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon salt

Up to 1/2 cup of olive oil

2 tablespoons grated cheese, such as Parmesan or Asiago

1 teaspoon herbs, such as chives, sage and basil

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Preparation

Combine warm water and yeast in a bowl and let sit until the yeast is dissolved, or about 5 minutes.

Add flour, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and salt. Mix by hand or on low speed for about 1 minute. Divide dough in half and roll each piece out to a 1/2-inch thick round. Transfer to well-oiled 8- or 9-inch round cake pans or square baking pans. Let rise, covered with oiled plastic wrap, for 1 1/2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Ten minutes before baking, press the dough with your fingertips to make indentations all over the dough. Drizzle with up to 1/2 cup olive oil. Top with cheese, herbs and sea salt.

Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from the pans to a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature, as is, or sliced open horizontally to use as a sandwich bread.