Focaccia Bread


Focaccia is an Italian flat bread. It's a cross between pizza and bread. It is crunchy on outside and soft in the middle. It can be topped with any vegetable or cheese, just like pizza. Most of the focaccia breads are made using herbs like rosemary, thyme, garlic and other Italian herbs. 
In this recipe, i have used rosemary, garlic and red chili flakes. You can also make plain focaccia using olive oil and salt.


Recipe
Servings : 6
Temperature: 425℉/ 220℃
Prep time : 2 hrs
Cook time : 25 minutes



Ingredients
For dough
  • 2 ¼ tsp dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 tsp honey or sugar
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 ½ cup all purpose flour/ maida
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp garlic powder(optional)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
Infused olive oil
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh garlic 
  • 1 tsp chopped rosemary
  • ½ tsp red chilli flakes
  • ½ tsp salt
Instructions
To activate the yeast, add yeast and honey to warm water(not hot) in a small bowl. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
In a big bowl, add flour, salt, garlic powder and give it a mix.
Make a well in the center and pour the activated yeast mixture.


Mix it with hands or wooden spoon until it forms a shaggy dough.
Add 2 tbsp plain olive oil and knead the dough for 3 to 5 minutes, or until smooth. 
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it tightly with a plastic wrap or a plate and let it rest for 1 hr, until it's doubled in size.


Meanwhile, make infused olive oil.
In a small pan, add olive oil, chopped garlic, chopped rosemary, red chili flakes, salt and heat it over medium heat about 3 to 4 minutes. Do not burn the garlic. Keep it aside to cool completely.
Coat a baking pan with generous amount of infused olive oil.


Transfer the risen dough into the baking pan (do not knead the dough). Press it down gently  and stretch it to the edges of the pan. 
Using fingers, make dimples into the dough and drizzle the infused olive oil. 


Add vegetable toppings on the dough and drizzle some more olive oil over it. 
Cover it with clean kitchen towel and rest it for 40 minutes. 


Preheat the oven to 425℉/220℃ .
Bake the dough in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, until golden brown. 
Cool it for 10 minutes and serve.


  • I made garden theme focaccia using cherry tomatoes, green onions, yellow bell peppers and olives.
  • You can use any vegetables like sliced potatoes, sliced radish, sun dried tomatoes, asparagus, cilantro, chives and dill leaves. 
  • You can also make plain focaccia using olive oil and salt.
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