Focaccia: A Simple and Delicious Italian Bread

 

Focaccia is a flatbread that is popular in Italian cuisine. It is made with a simple dough of flour, water, yeast, and salt, and is typically topped with olive oil, herbs, and cheese. Focaccia can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees F)
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy.
2. Stir in the olive oil, salt, and 3 cups of the flour. Stir until a dough forms.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
6. Punch down the dough and roll it out into a 12x16-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
7. Place the dough in a lightly oiled baking sheet and brush with olive oil.
8. Sprinkle with the rosemary and Parmesan cheese.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the focaccia is golden brown.
10. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Tips:

• For a more flavorful focaccia, add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the olive oil.
• To make the focaccia vegetarian, omit the Parmesan cheese.
• To make the focaccia vegan, use olive oil instead of butter and omit the Parmesan cheese.

Focaccia is a simple and delicious Italian bread that is perfect for any occasion. With so many different variations to choose from, there is sure to be a focaccia recipe that everyone will enjoy.

Here are some additional tips for making focaccia:

• Use high-quality ingredients. The quality of your ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your focaccia.
• Use a stand mixer if you have one. Kneading the dough by hand can be tiring, so using a stand mixer will make the process much easier.
• Don't overwork the dough. Overworking the dough will make it tough.
• Let the dough rise in a warm place. A warm place will help the dough rise quickly and evenly.
• Preheat your oven to the correct temperature. An oven that is too hot or too cold will not produce the best results.
• Bake the focaccia until it is golden brown. A golden brown focaccia will be cooked through and have a delicious flavor.
• Let the focaccia cool slightly before slicing and serving. This will help the focaccia hold its shape and prevent it from becoming crumbly.

Focaccia is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It can be eaten as a snack, appetizer, or side dish. It can also be used to make sandwiches, pizzas, and other dishes. With so many different ways to enjoy it, focaccia is sure to become a favorite in your household.