Focaccia Bread

Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

I'm always looking for new things for sides to go with dinner.  This foccacia bread is perfect for that.  We've used it as a side for things like chicken, fish, and spaghetti.  It's nice because you can choose whatever you want to put on top.  Typically I do sliced tomatoes, black olives, and parmesan cheese.  But once I made one separate for the kids and did a few pepperonis, black olives, and a monterey jack/parmesan cheese blend, and they loved it. (Except for little Russell, who will pick the black olives off of or out of anything.)  The best thing about it is it's pretty simple, pretty quick, and REALLY delicious!

Disclaimer: I did not take this photo.  Photo credit: Allrecipes.com username: pelicangal

1 tablespoon white sugar
1 cup warm water

1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon basil
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, or as needed
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Toppings: sliced tomatoes, black olives, other cheeses, pepperoni, etc.

1.Dissolve sugar in the warm water in a large bowl, then sprinkle yeast over the top. Let stand for 5 minutes until the yeast softens and begins to foam. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, onions, basil, oregano, and 2 1/2 cups of flour until the dough comes together. If using a stand mixer, continue mixing with dough hook until smooth and elastic. If by hand, knead on a well floured surface until smooth and elastic. Spray inside of a large bowl with cooking spray, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat. Cover with a dish towel and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.



2.Preheat oven to 415 degrees F (215 degrees C).


3.Place dough onto oiled baking sheet (I use a cookie sheet), and flatten to cover the whole sheet evenly.  Here instead of oiling a baking sheet, I cover the bottom of the baking sheet with parchment paper.  It works great!! Use the tips of your fingers to make indentations all over the dough spaced about 1 inch apart. Drizzle the focaccia with 2 tablespoons olive oil, then top with tomatoes, olives, Parmesan cheese, (or whatever toppings you've chosen) and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt over the top. Let rise for 10 minutes


4.Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes until golden brown.

Creamy Cornbread

I got this recipe from Grandma Mitchell's cookbook, and we loved it!

3/4 Cup yellow corn meal
1/4 Cup sugar
2 Tbl baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 Cup flour
1 Cup sour cream
1/4 Cup milk
1 egg, beaten
2 Tbl melted butter

Mix ingredients just enough to blend.

Bake in greased 8 inch pan in 425 degree oven for 20 min.

This recipe is very yummy, enjoy!!!

Salt Crusted Potatoes

Recipe Source: thehungryhousewife.blogspot.com

Last night we tried out dad's chicken recipe.  It was a hit!  We all loved it, and we'll definitely be having it again.  To go along with the chicken, we tried out salt crusted potatoes.  This is a new technique that I hadn't tried before.  It's usually used with meats and fishes.  It worked really well, didn't take a lot of time, and tasted great! 

1 1/2 pounds Baby Potatoes (We used baby red potatoes.)
3 cups Kosher Salt
3 egg Whites
1 1/2 Tbsp Rosemary
1/2 Tbsp Thyme
1 Tbsp Whole Peppercorns
6 garlic cloves, peeled (I used garlic powder.)
4 Tbsp Butter, melted


Preheat oven to 400.

In a large bowl mix together salt,rosemary,thyme and peppercorns. Add egg whites and mix thoroughly.
In a 2 3/4 qt or other smaller baking dish, add the potatoes and garlic.
Dump the salt over the potatoes and pat firmly down. Make sure all of the potatoes are covered.
Bake uncovered for 1 hour.

The salt crust will be very hard. Use a meat tenderizer to break through it. Dig out the potatoes and dust off any excess salt.

Toss the potatoes in the melted butter and season with salt, parmesan cheese, or anything else you'd like.
Enjoy!