Bell Pepper Focaccia

I made the Bell Pepper Focaccia out of August's Cooking Light.
I wasn't impressed by it. But that could just be faults with me, not the recipe. I think it may have been better if I had oregano, and rock or sea salt(which the recipe didn't call for, but I think it would have been better.)
I felt like trying something new, and I've never made any bread with yeast before. It didn't turn out to great, but that is partially because I misunderstood parts of the directions. Such as when I covered it for the first rise, a crust formed on it. I need to use plastic, not a cloth. I think I know what I did wrong for the most part. And I overcooked it just slightly.