Apple

Or actually: Tuffaha. {apple in Arabic}

I wanted to name Maysoon that. Really, I did. And not because Gwyneth did. I've known a lady named Tuffaha since I was little. It amazed me to no end that she was named after a fruit. Mind you, I was like 6. So that's interesting to a 6 year old. It's still interesting to me... 20 years later. 21?? Wait.. how old am I?? Yeah no... 20. (Sorry, it's late.)

Obviously I didn't name Maysoon that, but I kind of did. Wait.. let me explain: So we have "Maysoon" right? Okay well sometimes I'll call her "Maysoona" which is close to "manzana" which is.... APPLE in Spanish! Yay!

"You give me any word and I'll show you how that word is Greek." - LOVE this movie.

Speaking of Apples... Meet the other Tuffaha in my life:

As you can see I already have her hard at work. Poor thing doesn't even have a proper picture or anything. But I love her. She's been amazing. Isn't she lovely?? I said I'd buy a Kitchenaid Mixer when I bought my first house, but instead Iman helped me pay for this one. "Today before tomorrow." Or at least that what Iman always says. All about living your best life, right?

So about a week ago I made bread for the first time ever. Ever. I've been afraid to use yeast. It was too intimidating to know that I could actually KILL it. Well, I didn't. Now me and yeast are friends. Now I've realized it's not that bad.

I was foodgawking away one day and saw a recipe that was super easy and required the use of my lovely Tuffaha. I was eager to put my mixer to use, so I got to it.

No-Fuss Focaccia {via King Arthur Flour}
1 1/2 cups warm water
3 tablespoons olive oil (plus additional for drizzling)
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon instant yeast
Pizza seasoning, optional

Directions:
1) Lightly grease a 9" x 13" pan, and drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil in the bottom.
2) Combine all of the ingredients, and beat at high speed with an electric mixer for 60 seconds.

It says to mix on high. Don't start on high immediately unless you want flour all over your counter.

3) Scoop the sticky batter into the prepared pan, cover the pan, and let it rise at room temperature for 60 minutes, till it's become puffy.
4) While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 375°F.

5) Gently poke the dough all over with your index finger. (I used the handle of a wooden spoon.)
6) Drizzle it lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle with pizza seasoning, and/or the dried herbs of your choice, if desired. (I used Italian seasoning, rosemary, and kosher salt.)

7) Bake the bread till it's golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes.
8) Remove it from the oven, wait 5 minutes, then turn it out of the pan onto a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

I wish this blog was scratch-n-sniff. The house smelled soooo good. They should make focaccia scented candles. This was so ridiculously easy and tasty. I've made it twice. The first time I used half a cup of wheat flour. Not sure why. The second time I used all white and it obviously came out lighter than the above pictures. But personally, I think it tasted better with the wheat. Sorry no pictures of it cut. I baked this last minute before heading out to my parents house. I'll definitely be making this again to use as sandwich bread for paninis. Mmmm, paninis...