Sunday 26 May 2013

Focaccia Bread




The finished product looks a bit flat, due to the angle the photo was taken I suppose, but they had risen and baked well. It was fun making these and, oh sooo good! - here are the instructions:

3-1/2 teaspoons of fermipan instant yeast
1/4 teaspoon sugar (I used honey)
2 cups lukewarm water
4-1/2 to 5-1/2 cups flour (I used unbleached)
1/4 cup olive oil plus additional
1 Tablespoon salt

Topping
rosemary seasoning
sea salt
diced red onion
..or whatever you fancy

1. Mix water, olive oil and honey together in a bowl. In a large bowl, mix 4-1/2 cups flour, (sugar if you are using this), and salt and make a well in the center. Add the wet ingredients and mix well. Add additional flour as needed to reach the desired consistency.

2. Lightly flour a work surface, turn the dough out of the bowl and knead until the dough is smooth, about ten minutes (adding more flour as needed). Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place for one hour.

3. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets (or you could sprinkle cornmeal on the sheets instead). Divide the dough in half and, with fingers, press down and out until each half is about 1/2 inch thick. Place on the baking sheets, cover and let rise for 30 minutes.

4. Remove cover and, using the end of a wooden spoon, dimple the dough. Cover and rise 30-45 min. again.

5. Set oven to 375 F (I set my oven to 350 F because it tends to be hotter). Carefully brush each loaf with olive oil, sprinkle with diced red onion, followed by rosemary and a sprinkle of sea salt.  Bake 20-25 minutes (lower temperature if it gets too brown).

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