Just Baking

Focaccia bread is wonderful as an appetizer, an addition to a meal, or used for a favorite sandwich bread. If you’ve never made it before, this recipe is really easy and comes out nice used with some tips* I found to be helpful. Unlike a traditional Focaccia that is flat, I decided to make it into a round loaf to be sliced for a sandwich. It came out wonderful and very flavorful. Play around with the seasonings and toppings with whatever you like, as I did. This being my first homemade Focaccia and loving it, I know I’ll be making it more often.

Focaccia  

1 tablespoon active dry yeast*
1 cup warm water or milk (110 degrees F)
1 teaspoon white sugar
  2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons garlic-herb seasoning
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons olive oil -for brushing on top
1 tablespoon grated shaker Parmesan cheese
*Proof the yeast: Combine the yeast with the warm liquid. Add about 1 teaspoon of sugar and stir to dissolve. Let it sit 10 minutes; if it’s bubbly and foamy, the yeast is good.

Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, stir together the flour, salt, garlic-herb seasoning, and black pepper. Mix in the 1 tablespoon of oil and yeast-and-water mixture.

When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic. Lightly oil a large glass bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 40 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Punch dough down; place on greased baking sheet or in pan. Pat down till dough is 1/2-inch thick. Poke fingers all over top to make indentions. Brush top with olive oil. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover and let rise a 2nd time for 30 minutes. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Original recipe from Allrecipes   Photography by Rachelle