Recipe

MAKE SPONGE

1. For sponge, combine water and sugar in 2-cup glass measuring cup. Sprinkle with yeast and stir together. In medium or large bowl, whisk together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, semolina flour and salt. When yeast is frothy (about 5 to 6 minutes), stir it down, then combine with flour mixture. Sprinkle top with 1 tbsp flour and cover with oiled plastic wrap. Let rise at room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes, or until almost doubled in size. It will be sticky.

MAKE DOUGH, TOMATOES AND GARLIC

1. Meanwhile, in bowl of stand mixer, whisk together all-purpose and semolina flours or, if you’re doing this by hand, use large mixing bowl. Set aside. In another bowl or measuring cup, combine water, olive oil and salt. Set aside.
2. For tomatoes, in small mixing bowl, combine drained tomatoes with olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. For garlic, in another small bowl, combine garlic with salt, oregano and olive oil. Set aside.
4. When sponge has risen, stir it down and add to flour mixture, along with water–olive oil mixture. Combine on low speed (or with a wooden spoon) until dough forms, then knead in stand mixer for 5 minutes (or for 5 to 10 minutes by hand). The dough should be sticky but not stick to your hands too much. Add a little more all-purpose flour, if necessary. Place dough in oiled bowl, turn over in bowl to coat with oil, cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 60 to 90 minutes at room temperature, or until almost doubled in size.
5. Brush a 15″ round or 12″ x 18″ baking sheet (with sides) with . cup of olive oil. Push down dough and, on lightly floured work surface, roll it out to approximately fit pan. Place dough in pan and push and pull dough until it covers bottom. If dough shrinks back, wait 5 to 10 minutes, then press to fit pan again — eventually it will relax and fit. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and let rise for about 30 minutes at room temperature.

ASSEMBLE FOCACCIA AND BAKE

1. With your thumb, make about 10 deep indentations all over surface of dough. Put some of the tomatoes and juices in each indentation. Make 8 to 10 more indentations and put some of the garlic with olive oil in those. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and let rise again for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Drizzle dough with . cup of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and oregano. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bread is nicely browned, and instant-read thermometer registers 195F when inserted into thickest part. Drizzle with “a little” more olive oil and scatter with sprigs of fresh oregano, if using. Cool on wire rack. Cut into strips, then across on an angle into diamonds.