Description
Rustic Italian Focaccia brings Mediterranean warmth to kitchen tables with fragrant herbs and olive oil. Crisp exterior and pillowy interior invite bread enthusiasts to savor each delectable slice, promising a delightful culinary journey through Italian baking traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups (500g) bread flour or all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups (415ml) warm water
- ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
Leavening and Seasoning:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast or instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons (10g) salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
Finishing Ingredient:
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Combine flour, salt, and yeast in a spacious mixing vessel, creating a solid foundation for the focaccia dough.
- Pour warm water and olive oil into the dry ingredients, mixing until a rustic, uneven dough emerges. Knead vigorously for 10 minutes, transforming the mixture into a smooth, supple texture.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly greased container, envelop with a protective film, and allow it to rest and expand in a cozy environment for 1-2 hours until it doubles in volume.
- Lavishly coat a baking sheet with olive oil, then delicately stretch the risen dough across the surface, ensuring even coverage.
- Using fingertips, gently press and create rhythmic indentations throughout the dough’s landscape, giving it its characteristic dimpled appearance.
- Shield the dough and permit a secondary rising period of approximately 30 minutes, allowing it to become puffy and voluminous.
- Ignite the oven to 425°F, preparing for baking transformation.
- Generously drizzle additional olive oil across the surface, then sprinkle sea salt and fragrant rosemary for a burst of aromatic flavor.
- Slide the focaccia into the preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes until it achieves a golden, crisp exterior with a soft, tender interior.
Notes
- Knead the dough thoroughly to develop gluten, ensuring a light and airy texture with a soft, tender crumb.
- Use lukewarm water between 100-110°F to activate the yeast perfectly without killing it, creating optimal rising conditions.
- Experiment with toppings like olives, cherry tomatoes, or caramelized onions to customize the focaccia and add extra flavor complexity.
- Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack to maintain its crispy exterior and prevent soggy bottoms, preserving the perfect texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 202
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 248mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg