Focaccia

 

Focaccia is my favorite my bread to make! I adapted this recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (100-110 F)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 6-7 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 1 rosemary sprig (or 1 tbsp dried rosemary)
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 5-6 cups all purpose flour
• Toppings: olive oil, rosemary, whatever you would like

Instructions

1. In a small pot, warm up olive oil with garlic and rosemary until aromatic. Set aside and allow to cool.
2. Whisk 1 cup water, 1 tsps sugar, and 2 tsps yeast in a bowl. Cover and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
3. Add the other cup of water, 1/4 olive oil from above (making sure to not allow rosemary or garlic to get in), salt, and 1 cup of flour. Beat for 20 seconds. Add the remaining dough slowly, continuing to beat on low.
4. Knead the dough with your hands, the dough should be soft but not sticky. It should not break either. 
5. Allow dough to rise for 2-3 hours.
6. Grease a large baking pan (with 1 inch tall sides) with olive oil. I use a pastry brush because it helps.
7. Once dough is ready, punch it to release dough. Place on the oiled baking pan and stretch it to fit the pan. You might need to let it settle a little before it fits the entire pan. Allow to rest for another 2-3 hours.
8. Pre-heat oven to 450 F.
9. Then poke the dough to make dimples into the bread. Pour olive oil rosemary/garlic mixture from above. Allow it to get into the grooves. Sprinkle any other toppings of your choice.
10. Bake for 20-23 minutes or until light browned on top.