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:
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy.
- Stir in the olive oil, salt, and 3 cups of the flour. Stir until a dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
- 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.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Punch down the dough and roll it out into a 12x16-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled baking sheet and brush with olive oil.
- Sprinkle with the rosemary and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the focaccia is golden brown.
- 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.