Caramelized Onion & Herb Focaccia Bread

If you love focaccia bread as much as I do, you must give this recipe a try.  I have a really big secret about this bread... I use store bought pizza dough!  Yep, no kneading, waiting for yeast to rise, ect.  Since I take such a big shortcut with the dough its self, I take a little extra time with the toppings.  You can use pretty much anything you like on here, but I went with caramelized onions, italian sausage and roasted bell peppers this time.  It was AMAZING!  It would also be a great Game Day treat.  (My husband's not as excited about game day since his team lost yesterday.)  I also have a Caramelized Onion Dip I plan on sharing the recipe for later this week, so you could double the onions and would have enough for both recipes.  Anyway, without further ado, here's my recipe.

Recipe for Caramelized Onions:
1 large sweet onion sliced thinly
2 tbs butter
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp sea salt
2 sprigs of fresh thyme

In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat melt butter.  Add onions, sugar and thyme sprigs.  Stir frequently.  The onions take 15-20 minutes to turn the deep dark color you want.  Add salt & remove from heat when they are completely soft and a dark caramel color.  Pull out the stems from the thyme before using.

Recipe for Focaccia Bread:
1 store bought pizza dough
1 batch of caramelized onions
1lb. of italian sausage removed from casings and browned
1 roasted red bell pepper cut i nto strips
1-2 cups of italian cheese blend (mozzarella, parmesan, fontina whit I used)
1 sprig of fresh rosemary
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
2 tbs of olive oil
coarse sea salt.

Roll out dough of floured board.  You don't need to roll it into any particular shape or size.  You want the dough to be between 1/2 an inch and 1 inch thick.  Transfer to a greased baking sheet.  use your index and middle finger to poke the dough all over.  Brush with olive oil, salt & herbs.  Spread cheese, onions, sausage and peppers evenly over the dough.  Top with a little more cheese and bake until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted and golden (see above).