Slow Cooker Focaccia with Italian Herbs

Ingredients:

• 1 (0.25-oz) package active dry yeast
• 1-1/3 cups warm water
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 2 Tbsp fresh chopped rosemary, divided
• 2 Tbsp fresh chopped oregano, divided
• 2 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley, divided
• 2 tsp salt, divided
• 4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Preparation:

• Mix together the water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Let stand for 8–10 minutes. Add 1 Tbsp of the rosemary, oregano, and parsley, and 1 tsp of the salt and extra virgin olive oil. Mix until combined. Add the flour, in 2 batches, mixing with your hands until fully combined and a sticky dough forms.



• Lightly grease a medium-size bowl with nonstick spray. Place the dough into the bowl. Cover it with a lightly moistened kitchen towel and place the bowl in a warm area. Let the dough rise for 1 hour.



• Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray. Line the slow cooker with two large pieces of parchment paper, crisscrossed, covering most of the surface of the dish. Make sure that at least 2" of parchment paper remains outside the slow cooker.



• Punch the dough down to remove excess air, and place it into the prepared slow cooker insert. Cover it with a lightly moistened kitchen towel and place it in a warm area. Let the dough rise for another 20 minutes.



• Set the slow cooker to high. Sprinkle the dough with the remaining rosemary, oregano, parsley, and salt. Tightly fold some paper towels or a dry cotton cloth over the top of the slow cooker and secure the lid. Cook for 2-1/2 to 3 hours, or until the bread is fully cooked.



• Remove the insert from the slow cooker and place it onto a cooling rack. Let it sit for about 15 minutes. Remove the bread from the slow cooker and cool slightly before slicing.