Focaccia Bread

Focaccia is a flat oven-baked Italian bread which is similar in style and texture to a pizza dough. Focaccia can be used as a side to meals or as sandwich bread. It is basically a yeasted flat bread. Its also popularly known as Italian flat bread. The dough of a focaccia is flavoured with olive oil and if you wish can be topped with Herbs, Veggies, and even Non veg.

Just like a pizza dough, focaccia dough is made with flour, oil, water, yeast and salt. However, focaccia is made with more yeast than pizza dough. This allows it to rise more and creates a fluffier and more bread-like result. Focaccia's are usually served as a side dish. Focaccia toppings usually include a blend of oil and herbs. Although, sometimes onions, olives, tomatoes, garlic, cheese, ham are used. Step by step images are given for reference below the recipe.

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See Notes :**

Serves: About 12 Medium Pieces

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (120 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup (240 ml) warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 teaspoon honey
2 1/2 cups (315 grams) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
Few Cherry tomatoes for garnish (Optional) **

Method:

In a medium skillet, combine olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and the black pepper. Place the pan over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 to 10 minutes or until aromatic, Make sure the garlic don't brown. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and honey. Stir a few times then let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, measure 1 cup of the flour and a 1/4 cup of the infused garlic-olive oil mixture and keep aside.
Add the flour and garlic olive oil to the bowl with yeast and honey. Stir 3 to 4 times until the flour has moistened. Let sit for another 5 minutes.
Stir in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour and the salt. When the dough comes together, transfer to a floured board or a clean floured kitchen platform and knead 10 to 15 times until smooth.
Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl, cover with a warm, damp towel and let rise for 1 hour. (It’s best to let the dough rise in a warmer area of your kitchen)

Now its time to bake the bread.

After 1 hour, pre-heat the oven to 450 ℉ or 200℃
Use two tablespoons of the remaining garlic-olive oil mixture to oil a 9-inch by 13-inch baking sheet. (See Notes)
Transfer the dough to the baking sheet then press it down into the pan.
Use your fingers to dimple the dough then drizzle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of the garlic-olive oil mixture.
Add in the cherry tomatoes or any topping of your choice
Let the dough rise for another 20 minutes until it puffs slightly.
Bake until golden brown, for 15 to 20 minutes.
Cool baked focaccia bread on a wire rack.
Enjoy it as a side or dip in pasta sauce or soups

Notes:

All-purpose flour is perfect for making focaccia bread. You can use bread flour, but the bread will be a bit more chewy.
I love dipping focaccia into soups and having them. Or with myWhite Sauce. When it comes to herbs, I usually love a combination of thyme and rosemary, but you could use whatever herbs you love – fresh or dried. You can also omit the garlic and herbs all together and use plain olive oil instead.
In this recipe, I have used a 9-inch by 13-inch rimmed baking sheet. If you do not have this, you can use any rimmed baking dish with taller sides.
In this I have used cherry tomatoes as topping, you can use any topping of your choice like olives, bell pepper, onions, cheese, Ham or even sausages.

If you like this recipe, do try it out as its one of the easiest yeast bread you can bake.

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