EASY FOCACCIA BREAD

I am happy to post this recipe. My daughter Janani made this for father's day. It tasted yumm and I am a proud mom.

 Focaccia bread is one of the most delicious breads in italian culture. This focaccia bread is so easy to make and is so flavourful that you might not even need butter to accompany it.

INGREDIENTS

• All purpose flour (Maida) - 2 1/2 cups
• Olive oil - 1/2 cup
• Dried herbs (thyme and rosemary) - 2 tsps
• Garlic cloves (finely minced) - 2
• Active dry yeast - 2 1/4 tsps
• Black pepper - 1/4 tsp
• Warm water - 1 cup
• Honey - 1/4 tsp
• Salt - 1 tsp

METHOD

In a cold medium skillet, combine olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and the black pepper. Place the pan over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes or until aromatic, but before the garlic browns. Set aside.


In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and honey. Stir a few times then let sit for 5 minutes. 

Add 1 cup of the flour and a 1/4 cup of the infused garlic-olive oil mixture. Stir 3 to 4 times. Let sit for another 5 minutes.

Stir in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour and the salt. Once the dough comes together, transfer to a floured board and knead the dough 10 to 15 times until smooth. 

Transfer to a large oiled bowl, cover with a warm, damp towel and let rise for 1 hour.

After 1 hour, the dough would have risen to twice it's size

Punch the dough once to let out the air.

Transfer the dough to the baking sheet then press it down into the pan.

 Use your fingers to dimple the dough

Drizzle the top with the remaining garlic-olive oil mixture.

 Let the dough rise for 20 minutes until it puffs slightly. While you wait, preheat the oven to 230 degree celsius.

Bake until golden brown for 20 to 25 minutes.

 Let cool on a wire rack.
 Once cooled, cut into pieces and enjoy 😁