Homemade Focaccia Bread with Za'atar

Instructions

1. In a stand mixer fitted with dough hook, add warm water, yeast, honey, sourdough starter, and olive oil. Allow yeast to bloom for 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Add bread flour and salt to water mixture and turn mixer on to low speed, allow to mix.
3. Use a spatula to scrape down sides of bowl periodically to allow all flour to incorporate.
4. Once mixture starts to come together turn speed on mixer up to the next highest setting not too fast but fast enough to start to form a dough ball.
5. Allow this to run on that speed for 12 minutes. This will allow gluten to form.
6. Remove dough from mixer and form into a ball, spray a large metal or glass bowl with non stick-spray.
7. Place dough in bowl spray top of dough with more non-stick spray to keep the dough from drying out.
8. Allow dough to rise for at least 30 minutes in a warm place, or until dough doubles in volume.
9. Once dough has risen, punch it down and place dough onto a well oiled sheet pan.
10. Use the tips of your fingers to press and stretch dough into all corners of pan.
11. Make sure to press dough with finger tips to create texture in dough, it should look rough and textured.
12. Set aside and allow dough to rise one more time, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
13. Meanwhile preheat oven to 400˚F. Sprinkle with za'atar evenly over bread.
14. Place focaccia into oven and bake for 13 minutes then rotate pan to allow both sides to cook evenly.
15. Bake another 13 to 16 minutes or until nicely browned and bread is fully cooked inside.