Focaccia with rosemary

Focaccia with Rosemary is a delightful Italian bread known for its crispy crust, soft interior, and fragrant rosemary topping. It’s perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or even as a sandwich bread. Here’s a simple recipe to make delicious homemade focaccia:

Ingredients:

• For the Dough:

  • 500 g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet (7 g or 2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F or 45°C)
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

• For the Topping:

  • 2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • Coarse sea salt (such as fleur de sel or kosher salt)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

• In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.
• Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and ¼ cup of olive oil.
• Stir until the dough begins to come together, then knead on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

2. Prepare the Focaccia:

• Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F).
• Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a lightly oiled baking sheet or a 9x13-inch baking pan. Stretch and press the dough out to fit the pan.
• Using your fingers, dimple the surface of the dough all over. Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil evenly over the top.
• Sprinkle with fresh rosemary leaves and coarse sea salt.

3. Bake the Focaccia:

• Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the focaccia is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
• Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing.

4. Serve:

• Enjoy the focaccia warm or at room temperature. It’s excellent on its own or with dips like olive oil and balsamic vinegar, or served alongside soups and salads.

Optional Additions:

• Toppings: Experiment with other toppings such as sliced olives, cherry tomatoes, caramelized onions, or grated Parmesan cheese.
• Herbs: Try adding other fresh herbs like thyme or sage for different flavor profiles.

This focaccia with rosemary is aromatic, flavorful, and wonderfully versatile. It’s sure to be a hit at any meal or gathering!