Herb Focaccia Bread

Focaccia is a delicious, flat oven-baked bread that is perfect for yeast aficionados and even more perfect for those who are a leetle scared of yeast and don’t know where to start.

A very non-fussy bread dough is whipped together, kneaded for a bit, and then spread into a large baking sheet by none other than your two little hands. Dimpled with little indentations and brushed with olive oil, the dough is baked at a high temperature until golden brown. The hot, tender bread is brushed with a simple mixture of olive oil and salt which gives the outer layer a delicious texture and flavor.

I’ve been looking for a foolproof focaccia recipe and was thrilled when Megan S., a blog reader, sent this one to me. The addition of a myriad of herbs makes this bread pop with flavor and I promise, it is a really, really hard bread to mess up. Perfect to serve alongside soups, pastas, grilled meats (the options are endless, really), I heartily want you all to love this herb focaccia bread as much as I do! Thanks, Megan!

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Herb Focaccia Bread
Printable Version with Picture
Printable Version

*Note: You can use active dry yeast in place of the instant yeast. If you choose to do so, increase the amount of yeast to 1 tablespoon and proof it in 1/4 cup of the water called for in the recipe and the sugar. Let it foam and bubble before adding it to the rest of the ingredients. You can go here for more information on yeast. Also, measure the flour with a light hand (I use the dip-and-sweep method after fluffing the flour up a bit) so that your dough isn’t too stiff and overfloured. You can always add a tablespoon or two extra as the dough mixes if it is too sticky.

INGREDIENTS:
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 large clove garlic, finely minced
3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary or 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or 1/2 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup warm water

DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), mix the flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Mix in the garlic and herbs. Pour in the water and olive oil and mix until the dough comes together, by hand or with a dough hook attachment, if using a stand mixer. Knead the dough until it has pulled away from the sides of the bowl (adding additional flour only if necessary – the dough will get less sticky as it kneads), about 4-6 minutes. The dough should be soft and pliable but not overly stiff. Likewise, it shouldn’t leave a lot of sticky dough residue on your fingers. The goal is a soft, supple dough.

Cover the bowl with lightly greased plastic wrap and let the dough rise for 30 minutes, until it is puffy. Deflate dough and allow to rest for 5 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly grease a large, rimmed baking sheet and with your hands, spread the dough out roughly an 8″x10″ rectangle. Use your knuckles or fingertips to make indentations over the dough, about every 1/2 inch. Lightly brush dough’s surface with olive oil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown.

Immediately after removing from the oven, stir together 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt and brush over the surface of the hot bread. Tear or slice into pieces and serve.

Recipe Source: from Megan S., a MKC reader