Pumpkin Parmesan Focaccia Bread

Are you pumpkin-ed out yet?

Hang in there.  You can make it.

You'll thank me next September when you're searching for pumpkin recipes again.

I decided to do some savory pumpkin recipes to round out Pumpkin Palooza.  Wouldn't want to be responsible for too many sugar highs, you know?  That's where the idea for a pumpkin focaccia began.

 I've been getting into making bread lately.  Bread for sandwiches, snacks, anything.  I'm sort of boycotting store-bought bread because the homemade stuff is so good.  Focaccia is a great snacking bread to have around- cheesy and crispy on the outside, chewy and fluffy on the inside.  Love!

The procedure is simple- start the yeast, mix the main ingredients, let rise for an hour and then pop in the oven with your toppings.  This is an easy one to throw together when you realize you're out of bread.  I think it would be great for kids, too- especially if you slice it into smaller "focaccia fingers" and had some marinara for dipping.  

This would be great for a Halloween party, too.  Get at it!

Pumpkin Parmesan Focaccia Bread
by Oven Love, based on a recipe from the Cooking Photographer

½ cup lukewarm water
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
2 cups bread flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup canned pumpkin (Not pumpkin pie filling)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
olive oil, sea or kosher salt, rosemary, thyme and grated parmesan cheese for topping

1. Measure water in a wet measuring cup and stir in the honey and yeast. Set aside for 5 minutes.

2. In a stand mixer with a dough hook and add the flours, pumpkin, olive oil, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and the yeast mixture and knead for several minutes.

3. Turn the dough onto a clean surface and knead with your hands for a couple more minutes. Coat a large bowl with a little olive oil or cooking spray, toss in the dough turning coat once to coat, and cover in plastic wrap.  Let rise for about an hour.

4. Preheat the oven to 450.  Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.  Remove the dough and spread out on the sheet with your fingers as you would a pizza crust.  Poke the surface of the dough with your fingertips.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, rosemary, thyme and parmesan cheese.  Bake until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.  Let cool, slice with a pizza cutter and serve.

I hope you'll stick around for the rest of Pumpkin Palooza 2010.  If you've got any must-make pumpkin recipes for me, comment below with links or email me at ovenloveblog@gmail.com.