There is something about a homely ceremony of bread making that I find completely therapeutic. Much like, watering the plants or pressure washing the driveway, it’s a time consuming but incredibly satisfying project!
The taste of freshly baked warm bread is phenomenal and it leaves the home filled with one of the world’s sweetest smells!
One of my favourite home made bread is Focaccia! Insanely simple, super tasty in flavor, and popular with kids!
Focaccia is an Italian bread, and is usually seasoned with garlic, olive oil, salt, herbs and may at times be topped with onion, cheese and meat. Focaccia can be used as a starter or a side, as a base for pizza, or as sandwich bread.
The delicious topping combo I used was, rosemary, garlic infused olive oil, cherry tomatoes, red onions and olives and made toasties with left over bread next day with chicken, tomatoes and mozzarella….they were popular! Our homemade focaccia’s story with an extremely happy ending!
Feel free to pick your own choice of toppings.
Here is a YouTube video and a printable recipe card for you all!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd_Tv4VZ_iw]
FOCACCIA
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1/4 cup warm milk
- 2 tbsp dried yeast
- 1 tbsp brown/white sugar
- 4-5 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2-3 tbsp garlic oil for coating/olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced
- 1/2 cup pitted green olives sliced
- 1/2 red onion sliced
- 1 tbsp rosemary sprigs
- Garlic salt flakes/ Sea salt flakes to sprinkle
Instructions
Step 1
- Combine warm water and milk. Pour a cup of the mixture in to a mixing bowl, add yeast and sugar, stir to mix and leave it aside for 10 minutes or until foamy.
Step 2
- Add salt, honey, olive oil and remaining water and milk mixture to the foamy yeast, mix well and gradually add the flour, stir to combine to a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 mins or until smooth and elastic.
- Place it in a greased baking tray and flatten the dough with your fingers/palm of your hand in to the tray. Generously drizzle with garlic infused olive oil and cover with greased cling film place in a warm place for 2 hour or until dough doubles in size. (see video)
Step 3
- While the dough rising preheat oven to 220°C/425°F and prepare the toppings.
- Check the dough after 2 hours and make indentions at the top of the dough with your finger gently to make several wells. Brush with garlic infused oil. Top with tomatoes, olives, onion, rosemary and garlic salt flakes.
Step 4
- Bake for 25-30 mins or until golden brown from the top and soft inside, focaccia sounds hollow when tapped on the base. leave it aside for 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar/glaze.
Enjoy!
Sadi
❤️
