Focaccia Bread

Like any hostess I prefer my guests to eat their food hot and fresh, but sometimes it takes a little longer then planned to finish dinner. Although I’m sure my guests understand that cooking takes time, I still feel bad having them wait in hunger as they smell the food cooking. I’ve realized a great way to solve that is to make a simple little appetizer for them to munch on as they wait. Focaccia bread is the perfect thing to serve to your waiting guests. Put out some olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping and you’re set. You’re guests will love this bread! It’s super airy and soft on the inside but crunchy and crusty on the outside. It has generous amounts of olive oil which makes it very flavorful.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup water
1 tbsp sugar
2 tsp yeast
4 1/4 cup flour
1 tbsp salt
1/3 cup extra light olive oil
Dried rosemary (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add sugar and yeast to warm water and stir just to incorporate. Let the yeast mixture sit in a warm place until it becomes frothy.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add flour, salt, and olive oil.

3. Then add the frothy yeast mixture and begin mixing on low speed with the hook attachment. Once the flour begins incorporating, pick up the speed and let the mixer need the dough until the dough doesn’t stick to the edges of the bowl anymore.

4. Scrape the dough out of the bowl and onto a lightly floured surface. Using your hands, kneed the dough into a ball.

5. Grease the inside of a large bowl with light olive oil and place the dough into the bowl. Toss the dough around the bowl so that it’s fully covered in oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave it in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

6. Splash a few tbsp of olive oil onto a rimmed baking sheet and place the dough on top.

7. Using your fingers, spread the dough apart so that the dough reaches the edges of the sheet. Use your fingers to dot the dough. Be very generous with the dotting. Press until your finger touches the bottom of the baking sheet.

8. Drizzle a thin layer of light olive oil on top of the dotted dough. Then add your desired amount of dried rosemary.

8. Let the dough sit in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until the dough rises.

9. Preheat the oven to 470 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 10-15 minutes.

Note: This bread can be served with balsamic vinegar and olive oil for dipping, or even as a bread for sandwiches.

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Focaccia Bread

Prep Time

2 hrs

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

2 hrs 10 mins

 

Servings: 10

Author: Dina from SimplyHomeCooked.com

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp yeast
• 4 1/4 cup flour
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1/3 cup extra light olive oil
• Dried rosemary optional

Instructions

1. Add sugar and yeast to warm water and stir just to incorporate. Let the yeast mixture sit in a warm place until it becomes frothy.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add flour, salt, and olive oil.
3. Then add the frothy yeast mixture and begin mixing on low speed with the hook attachment. Once the flour begins incorporating, pick up the speed and let the mixer need the dough until the dough doesn't stick to the edges of the bowl anymore.
4. Scrape the dough out of the bowl and onto a lightly floured surface. Using your hands, kneed the dough into a ball.
5. Grease the inside of a large bowl with light olive oil and place the dough into the bowl. Toss the dough around the bowl so that it's fully covered in oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave it in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
6. Splash a few tbsp of olive oil onto a rimmed baking sheet and place the dough on top.
7. Using your fingers, spread the dough apart so that the dough reaches the edges of the sheet. Use your fingers to dot the dough. Be very generous with the dotting. Press until your finger touches the bottom of the baking sheet.
8. Drizzle a thin layer of light olive oil on top of the dotted dough. Then add your desired amount of dried rosemary.
9. Let the dough sit in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until the dough rises.
10. Preheat the oven to 470 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 10-15 minutes.

Recipe Notes

This bread can be served with balsamic vinegar and olive oil for dipping, or even as a bread for sandwiches.