Are you ready to embark on a culinary adventure and bake the perfect focaccia bread? This delectable Italian flatbread is characterized by its delightful crisp crust and airy, porous center. In this comprehensive article, we will guide you through the process of creating this savory masterpiece, starting with selecting the right ingredients, step-by-step instructions for kneading and shaping the dough, and finally, topping it off with a trio of mouthwatering combinations. Whether you prefer the classic combination of rosemary and sea salt, the tangy burst of sun-dried tomatoes and olives, or the sweet and savory harmony of caramelized onions and cheese, we've got you covered. So, get ready to tantalize your taste buds as we delve into the art of focaccia bread baking and discover the secrets to creating an unforgettable culinary experience.
Let's cook with our recipes!
THREE FLAVOUR FOCACCIA
This focaccia is not fussy. It's the kind of thing you can get excited about making on a Saturday afternoon and have great fun playing with the toppings. I often throw the ingredients in a food processor, whiz it up then leave it overnight. This bread, along with some lovely salad and cold leftover chicken, would also make a great dinner.
Provided by Jamie Oliver
Categories Sides Bread Italian Baking
Time 1h5m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Place the flours and ½ tablespoon of sea salt into a large bowl, and make a well in the middle. Add the yeast and sugar to the lukewarm water, and mix with a fork. Leave this for a few minutes and, when it starts to foam, slowly pour it into the well, mixing with a fork as you go.
- As soon as all the ingredients come together, which may take a minute or so, knead vigorously for around 5 minutes until you have a smooth, springy, soft dough.
- Lightly oil a large bowl with some olive oil and transfer the dough to the bowl. Dust with a little extra flour, cover with a tea towel and leave to prove in a warm place for 30 minutes until doubled in size.
- While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 220°C/425°F/gas 7 and prepare the toppings.
- For the balsamic onion topping, finely slice the onions and pick the thyme leaves. Fry the onions and thyme in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over a low heat for about 5 minutes. Add 6 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, reduce for a minute or two, then leave to cool.
- For the basil and cherry tomato topping, pick and roughly chop the basil leaves and halve the tomatoes. Pop the basil and tomatoes into a bowl and season with sea salt and black pepper, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a tiny splash of white wine vinegar. Peel and slice the garlic and mix into the bowl.
- To cook the focaccia, as soon as the dough has risen, pound it, then place on a baking tray and spread it out to cover the tray. Push down roughly on top of the dough like a piano to make lots of rough dips and wells.
- Divide the onion and the tomato toppings over two thirds of the focaccia.
- For the three-cheese and rosemary topping, break up the Taleggio and the goat's cheese over the remaining third of the focaccia. Grate a handful of Parmesan cheese and pick the rosemary leaves. Sprinkle both over the final third and season with pepper. Finish with a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt.
- Leave to prove for a further 20 minutes, then bake for 20 minutes, until golden on top and soft in the middle.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 313 calories, Fat 10.3 g fat, SaturatedFat 3.9 g saturated fat, Protein 11.1 g protein, Carbohydrate 46.5 g carbohydrate, Sugar 6.5 g sugar, Sodium 0.86 g salt, Fiber 2.1 g fibre
FOCACCIA BREAD WITH THREE TOPPING CHOICES
We use the bread machine, but you can make it without too...just mix the yeast with the warm water and sugar, to get things started, then add the oil, salt and flour (along with whatever herbs you like). Cooking time includes rising time for the dough
Provided by Debber
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 2h10m
Yield 1 12x8 flat loaf, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Add to bread machine in order specified by your owner's manual; set controls to DOUGH or PIZZA (mine goes for just under an hour).
- At the end of the cycle, place dough on a seasoned baking stone (mine is a rectangle) or a pizza pan.
- Preheat oven to 400.
- Press or roll dough out to edges of pan; let rise 10-30 minutes depending how patient and/or hungry you are! While this is rising in a WARM spot, prepare one of the toppings (below).
- Make random indentations with fingertips over top of dough; the toppings will fill these spots.
- HERBY TOPPING: In a small sauce-pan, heat olive oil, add herbs as this heats, then add garlic; allow to sizzle for about 30 seconds (do NOT burn); remove from heat; drizzle over bread dough; spread with back of spoon; sprinkle to taste with salt.
- ONION TOPPING: Melt butter in small sauce-pan, add onions, saute until golden (or transparent); remove from heat, add mayo; spread over focaccia dough.
- OLIVE TOPPING: Mix all ingredients, spread over dough.
- BAKING DIRECTIONS: Bake for 20 minutes (nicely tanned); cut or tear into serving portions.
- OTHER IDEAS: Use flat bread for panini sandwiches OR wedges to dip into soup or stew OR unbaked as a base for your pizza.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 919.5, Fat 59.6, SaturatedFat 9.8, Cholesterol 15.3, Sodium 890.7, Carbohydrate 86, Fiber 3.7, Sugar 5.5, Protein 11.2
FOCACCIA WITH CHEESE AND ONION TOPPING
This is a light, delicate bread, topped with caramelized onions and cheese. Cubed ham makes a tasty addition. The dough for the bread is made in the ABM. Note: My ABM is older and takes 2 1/2 hours for the dough cycle and is included in the preparation time.
Provided by Lizzie in NZ
Categories Breads
Time 3h58m
Yield 1 Foccacia
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place the ingredients into your ABM in the order specified for your machine. Set it on the dough cycle.
- When the dough cycle has beeped, LEAVE the dough in the machine for another 30 minutes. It will continue to rise again.
- Preheat your oven to 190°C Grease a 9 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 1/2 inch pan with some cooking spray or a little olive oil.
- Tip out your dough onto a lightly floured work area and roll into a rectangle to fit baking pan. You will hear all the air bubbles popping as you roll.
- Once the air bubbles are gone, place in pan, patting it into the corners.
- Leave to rise for 15-20 minutes. While dough is rising prepare topping.
- Melt butter in a large skillet and sauté the onion rings on medium heat until golden and caramelized, about 6-8 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly. Have your ham cubed and cheese grated and set aside. Now back to the dough.
- Make indentations with forefinger approximately 1 inch apart all over dough.
- Place caramelized onions evenly over dough. Scatter the ham over, and then sprinkle the cheese on top. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and coarsely ground black pepper.
- Bake at 190 degrees C for 15-18 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 2611.4, Fat 82.8, SaturatedFat 50, Cholesterol 205.7, Sodium 5471.6, Carbohydrate 370.9, Fiber 15.7, Sugar 27.3, Protein 91.7
FOCACCIA BREAD
A wonderful, quick alternative to garlic bread. Lots of herbs and lots of flavor!
Provided by Terri McCarrell
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes White Bread Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, sugar, yeast, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, basil and black pepper. Mix in the vegetable oil and water.
- When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Punch dough down; place on greased baking sheet. Pat into a 1/2 inch thick rectangle. Brush top with olive oil. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 170.6 calories, Carbohydrate 23.4 g, Cholesterol 5.4 mg, Fat 5.8 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 252.5 mg, Sugar 0.5 g
Tips:
- Use a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook to make the dough. This will save you time and effort.
- If you don't have a stand mixer, you can make the dough by hand. Just be sure to mix the ingredients thoroughly until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This will take about 1 hour.
- To create the dimples in the focaccia bread, use your fingers to press down into the dough. You can also use a fork or the handle of a wooden spoon.
- Sprinkle the focaccia bread with your favorite toppings before baking. Some popular toppings include olive oil, sea salt, rosemary, and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake the focaccia bread in a preheated oven until it is golden brown. This will take about 20-25 minutes.
Conclusion:
Focaccia bread is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed on its own or with your favorite toppings. It is perfect for a quick and easy meal or snack. With so many different topping choices, there is sure to be a focaccia bread that everyone will enjoy. So next time you are looking for a delicious and easy-to-make bread, give focaccia bread a try.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
#time-to-make #course #main-ingredient #cuisine #preparation #occasion #north-american #flat-shapes #breads #american #bread-machine #easy #dinner-party #kid-friendly #grains #dietary #brown-bag #midwestern #inexpensive #yeast #pasta-rice-and-grains #taste-mood #to-go #equipment #small-appliance #4-hours-or-less
You'll also love