Focaccia

Indulge in the rich, super-light, and melt-in-your-mouth delight of Focaccia, served in renowned restaurants. This tender, delectable bread can be sliced into sticks to accompany a bread basket or served as a delightful nibble alongside drinks. Alternatively, it can be cut into larger slices to form the perfect foundation for mouthwatering sandwiches, like Focaccina. While olives add a burst of flavor, roasted cherry tomatoes or roasted garlic cloves serve as delightful substitutes. The soft, pillowy dough is a treat to work with, allowing you to create a delectable masterpiece that will leave everyone craving for more. Read on for the recipe that will take your bread-making skills to new heights.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (35-ounce/990-gram) ball Sicilian Dough Without Starter
• ¼ cup (56 grams) olive oil, for oiling the pan
• 15 black or green oil-cured olives, pitted and halved
• Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing and drizzling
• 2 teaspoons (6 grams) minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons (2 grams) chopped fresh rosemary
• ¼ teaspoon (0.5 grams) red pepper flakes
• Honey, for drizzling
• Fleur de sel or Maldon sea salt

PREPARATIONS:

1. Follow the instructions for Parbaking Sicilian Dough with the following additions.
2. After the dough has risen the first time (for 30 minutes) and has been pushed out in the pan a final time, make a small opening in the dough using the tip of a paring knife.
3. Place an olive into each opening, allowing it to peek through.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• If desired, roasted cherry tomatoes or roasted garlic cloves can be used instead of olives. Add them to the dough after it has been pushed out in the pan for the last time.
• While the dough rises, preheat the oven with two pizza stones or baking steels to 450°F for 1 hour.

YIELD:

• Makes one 12 by 18-inch Focaccia

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Gently set the pan with the dough on the top stone and bake for 10 minutes.
2. Rotate the pan 180 degrees and transfer it to the bottom stone.
3. Bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the top becomes a rich golden brown.
4. Check the bottom of the focaccia with a wide metal spatula. If desired, crisp the bottom further by moving the pan to the top stone for 1 minute, rotating it, and baking for 1 minute more.
5. Carefully lift the edges of the focaccia with a spatula to ensure it has not stuck to any area. If needed, drizzle a little oil down the side of the pan and gently loosen the focaccia.
6. Brush the top of the focaccia with extra virgin olive oil.
7. Sprinkle minced garlic, chopped rosemary, and red pepper flakes over the top.
8. Drizzle the surface with extra virgin olive oil and honey, using a brush and fork, respectively.
9. Finish with a sprinkle of fleur de sel or Maldon sea salt.

TIPS:

• Experiment with different toppings such as roasted cherry tomatoes, roasted garlic, or other herbs for variety.
• Serve the focaccia as an appetizer or alongside sandwiches and main courses.
• Customize the recipe to suit your preferences and enjoy the delightful flavors.

The art of crafting Focaccia, the rich and airy Italian bread, reaches new heights with this recipe. Serving this super-light, meltingly tender delight in restaurants is a testament to its irresistible appeal. Perfectly versatile, it can be sliced into sticks for bread baskets or nibbles, or used as a base for creating scrumptious sandwiches like Focaccina. The traditional topping of black or green oil-cured olives adds a burst of flavor that perfectly complements the soft and pillowy dough.

However, you need not be an olive lover to enjoy this culinary masterpiece. Roasted cherry tomatoes, with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt, serve as an equally delightful substitute. For those who prefer a milder taste, roasted garlic cloves make for a delectable topping choice. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to tailor the focaccia to your unique palate.

Crafting the perfect focaccia requires attention to detail and precision. Following the parbaking instructions, and adding the olives or other toppings at the right moment, results in a mouthwatering bread that is as visually appealing as it is delicious. The tender, light dough makes for an enjoyable experience, allowing you to savor the process of creating this culinary delight.

Topping the focaccia with a blend of minced garlic, chopped rosemary, and red pepper flakes elevates its flavor profile, adding a delightful balance of spice and herbaceous goodness. Drizzling the surface with extra virgin olive oil and honey adds the finishing touch, creating an invitingly glossy and irresistible crust.