From Mama Galuchi's Kitchen: Homemade Focaccia

Heaven's Wait will be sitting on the back burner for the next few weeks because I have some fun family and vacation events coming up. I'm gearing up for the engagement party we're throwing for my son, Shaun, and his fiancée Kimberly. Kimberly's college graduation is the day before the party, and our trip to the east coast begins a few days after the party.

So, in the meantime, I'll use my blog days to share some of the recipes I'm using for party food, tried and true choices from "Mama Galuchi's" kitchen. Mama Galuchi is how my family fondly refers to me when I'm in the kitchen whipping up yummy concoctions. Today's recipe seems to win the prize as everyone's favorite. It just kind of evolved from many trials and errors over the years, but always seems to win rave reviews. For the engagement party, it will serve as our sandwich bread for the sandwich bar I plan to assemble. Try it - you'll like it!!

Mama Galuchi's Focaccia
7/8 cup water
1 Tbs milk
1 tsp margarine
2.5 cups bread flour
1 tsp salt
2 Tbs sugar
2.5 tsp dry yeast
1 Tbs wheat germ
1 Tbs wheat bran

Olive oil
Kosher salt
Garlic powder
Thyme leaves, fresh or dried

Instructions:
Place ingredients from water to wheat bran into bread machine bowl in the order listed (wet ingredients first). Process in machine on dough setting (approx. 1.5 hrs). Remove dough and roll out onto well floured board into a 1/2" thick rectangle. An uneven shape works fine.Transfer dough to a parchment paper lined flat baking sheet. With a spiral motion starting at an outer corner, poke your finger into the dough about every inch until you reach the center. Slowly drizzle a small trail of olive oil over the dough and use a pastry brush to work the oil over the dough and into the indentations. Sprinkle with kosher salt, garlic powder and thyme to your taste. Slide dough on parchment paper off of the baking sheet and onto the center rack of a preheated 360 oven. Bake for about 20 minutes. Remove to baking sheet. Cool on a baking rack. Cut into 8-12 generous pieces.

Other Info, Hints:
Serve with various main dishes; slice with sideways cut for sandwiches; fill with your favorite panini ingredients and grill. Yummy!