Herbed Focaccia Recipes

Steps:

• On a floured surface, roll out 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough into a 10-by-15-inch rectangle; press into an oiled rimmed baking sheet. Mix 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons chopped rosemary and/or oregano, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes and a big pinch of sea salt. Brush half of the herb oil over the dough, then set aside until puffy, about 1 hour. Make dimples in the dough with your fingers and top with thin onion slices and shaved parmesan. Bake at 400 until golden, about 20 minutes. Brush with the remaining herb oil.

Steps:

• Combine the warm water, yeast and sugar in a small bowl. Put the bowl in a warm, not hot or cool, place until the yeast is bubbling and aromatic, at least 15 minutes.
• In the bowl of a mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, 1/2 cup olive oil and the yeast mixture on low speed. Once the dough has come together, continue to knead for 5 to 6 minutes on a medium speed until it becomes smooth and soft. Give it a sprinkle of flour if the dough is really sticky and tacky.
• Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly floured surface, then knead it by hand 1 or 2 times. Again, give it another sprinkle of flour if the dough is really sticky and tacky.
• Coat the inside of the mixer bowl lightly with olive oil and return the dough to the bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap and put it in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, at least 1 hour.
• Coat a jelly roll pan with the remaining 1/2 cup olive oil. (Chef's Note: This may seem excessive, but focaccia is an oily crusted bread. This is why it is soooooooooo delicious!).
• Put the dough onto the jelly roll pan and begin pressing it out to fit the size of the pan. Turn the dough over to coat the other side with the olive oil. Continue to stretch the dough to fit the pan. As you are doing so, spread your fingers out and make finger holes all the way through the dough. (Chef's Note: Yes, this is strange. But when the dough rises again it will create the characteristic craggy looking focaccia. If you do not make the actual holes in the dough, the finished product will be very smooth.)
• Put the dough in the warm place until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour. While the dough is rising a second time, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Liberally sprinkle the top of the focaccia with some coarse sea salt and lightly drizzle a little oil on top. Bake the dough until the top of the loaf is golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the focaccia from the oven and let it cool before cutting and serving.
• Oh baby!

Steps:

• Place 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon olive oil, bread flour, white sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and active dry yeast, respectively, in the pan of a bread machine. Select pizza cycle; press Start.
• Combine crushed garlic and 1/3 cup olive oil in a small bowl. Set aside to let it steep, about 30 minutes.
• Combine Parmesan cheese, parsley, onion powder, and herbes de Provence in another small bowl.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a large rimmed baking sheet with olive oil.
• Deflate dough and turn out into the baking sheet. Stretch dough gently out to 1/2-inch thickness, using your fingers to make dimples that will hold the toppings.
• Pour garlic and oil mixture onto dough and spread it evenly over the dough and edges with your hands. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese mixture evenly on top. Sprinkle dough with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer from the baking sheet to a rack. Let cool, 5 minutes. Cut into squares with a pizza cutter.

Steps:

• Five hours before baking the focaccia, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and oil the bottom and interior sides with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Begin panning and dimpling the White Master Dough, at 20-minute intervals, dipping your fingers in olive oil to keep them from sticking to the dough as you work. After three to four rounds of dimpling and resting, the dough will have relaxed enough to cover the whole pan. At this point, rub the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil over the dough and cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap. Then allow 3 hours for the final rise.
• When the dough reaches the rim of the pan (or doubled in size), position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 475 degrees F (425 degrees F for convection). Carefully peel off the plastic wrap, drizzle the dough with 2 tablespoons herbed olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with 2 cups Parmesan or Romano cheese. Return to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes to melt the cheese. Transfer the focaccia to a cutting board and let rest 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
• Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 8 minutes. Then rotate the pan 180 degrees and bake 9 to 12 minutes longer, or until the top and the undercrust are golden brown. If using cheese, remove the pan from the oven when the focaccia looks done and sprinkle it with the cheese. Return the pan to the oven for 2 minutes and then remove it.
• Transfer the baked focaccia to the stovetop or to a heatproof counter. Using an offset spatula or bench blade, carefully slide it around the edge, between the crust and the side of the pan, and then lift the focaccia out of the pan and slide it onto a cutting board. Drizzle any oil remaining in the baking pan over the focaccia. If the parchment paper or baking mat is still clinging to the focaccia, remove it. Let cool for 5 minutes, then cut into 3- or 4-inch squares and serve.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt and yeast. Add all of the water and mix on slow speed for 30 seconds or stir with a large spoon to form a coarse, shaggy dough. Add the 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, increase the speed to medium (or continue mixing with the spoon or with wet hands), and mix for another 30 to 60 seconds to make a wet, coarse, sticky dough. It may seem too wet to form a cohesive dough at this stage. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes to fully hydrate.
• Increase the mixer speed to medium-high (or continue mixing by hand) and mix for another 30 to 60 seconds to make a smooth, sticky dough. It should be soft, supple and sticky to the touch, and offer a little resistance when pressed with a wet finger.
• Use 1 teaspoon of the extra oil to make a 15-inch-diameter oil slick on the work surface. Rub some oil on a plastic bowl scraper and on your hands and use the scraper to transfer the dough to the oil slick. Stretch and fold the dough. Cover the dough with a bowl and let it rest for 2 to 5 minutes. Repeat the stretch and fold (rub more oil on the work surface as needed), cover the dough, and let it rest for 2 to 5 minutes. Then repeat the stretch and fold, cover with the bowl, and again let it rest for 2 to 5 minutes. Perform a fourth and final stretch and fold to make a smooth ball of dough. The dough will have firmed up after each stretch and fold and will now be soft, smooth, supple, and somewhat sticky but firm enough to hold together when lifted. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 12 to 72 hours.
• In a bowl, whisk together the oil, basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, thyme, garlic and pepper flakes and paprika (if using), gradually adding the salt and whisking the oil to bring the salt to the surface before tasting. Store in the refrigerator in a container with a lid, where it will keep for at least 6 months. Makes 1 cup.

Steps:

• Add ingredients for the dough according to bread machine directions.
• Select dough cycle.
• Remove dough to lightly floured surface; cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Grease a 13x9 inch pan and sprinkle with cornmeal.
• Press dough evenly in pan.
• Drizzle with oil, and scatter remaining topping ingredients evenly over dough.
• Cover with towel and let rise in warm place until doubled, 30-40 minutes.
• Poke deep holes with finger in risen dough about 1 inch apart.
• Bake at 400ºF on lower oven rack for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.
• Remove from pan, and serve warm.

Steps:

• Combine all of the herbs and mix well.
• If you cannot find savory or lavender, don't worry about it.
• Store in a small zip-lock bag.
• Use in Herbed Focaccia Bread Mix, or on top of meats, or in salad dressings.
• Assemble, your dry ingredients in a quart size zip-lock bag, and mix them well in the bag.
• You can do this by sealing it and then turning it over and over.
• For storing your Bread Mix, you can place it in a Mason Jar.
• I like to get some pretty material and glue to the lid of the Mason Jar, then hot glue some pretty lace around the lip of the jar.
• Or if you do not wish to use Jars, you can buy some clear cellophane bags, and store your mix in it, and tie the top with colorful ribbon and attach a cute gift card with the instructions on how to make your Herbed Focaccia Bread.
• Herbed Focaccia Bread Mix Ingredients: 1 Package Herbed Focaccia Bread Mix, 1 Packet (1/4 ounce) quick rise active dry yeast, 1-1/2 Cups Warm Water, 1 Egg, lightly beaten, and 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil (or Vegetable Oil).
• In a medium bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water.
• In a large bowl, place the Herbed Focaccia Bread Mix.
• Add the beaten egg, the water/yeast, and the olive oil to the dry ingredients.
• Mix with a wooden spoon.
• The dough will be somewhat sticky.
• Flour a flat surface.
• Turn the bread dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes.
• Place the dough in a large bowl and cover with a light dish towel.
• Let it rise in a warm place.
• When the focaccia has risen to double its size, divide it in two.
• Reshape each ball of dough into a round shape much like a pizza crust.
• Place in a 9' round cake pan.
• Brush lightly with additional olive oil.
• If you have time, let it rise for a short time (but not above the top of the pan).
• Bake it in a preheated 350 degree oven, about 20-25 minutes.
• Serve with olive oil or butter.
• Write or type these instructions on your gift card and attach to your container for gift giving.

Steps:

• Proof yeast, sugar and warm water for 5 minutes in a large bowl.
• To the bowl add remaining ingredients. Kneed by hand for at least 5 minutes. (If the bowl is large with a flat bottom- you can kneed right in the bowl).
• Cover dough and let dough rise in warm place for 15 minutes.
• Punch dough down. Shape dough, add olive oil and salt if desired and then let rise and additional 15 minutes.
• (Half this recipe fits nicely into an 8x8 pan).
• Place in 375 degree oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Keep a close eye on this, every oven is different. Cool on a large wire rack.

Steps:

• First make the starter dough - mix the yeast with 100ml hand-hot water in a small bowl. Leave for 5 mins until bubbling. Add the flour to a large bowl, and pour in the yeast mix and another 250ml hand-hot water. Beat vigorously with your hand for a few mins. (The dough will be really wet but don't worry, you'll be adding more flour later.) Scrape all the dough from your hands and the sides of the bowl. Cover tightly with cling film and leave to ferment in the fridge for at least 12 hrs, overnight if possible.
• Meanwhile, make the herb oil. Set aside 2-3 sprigs each of rosemary and thyme, plus a few bay leaves. Bash the rest using a pestle and mortar (or use a rolling pin) to release the flavours, then stuff into a large sterilised bottle or Kilner jar, or a few jam jars (see tip, right). Heat the oil in a saucepan until just warm, then carefully pour into the bottle using a funnel. Leave to cool before securing with a lid.
• Take the starter dough out of the fridge about 1 hr before you want to make your focaccia - it should have risen considerably. To finish the dough, mix in the additional flour, the sea salt and herb oil until it's soft yet slightly sticky. Knead the dough with extra oil for 5 mins until smooth and springy. Return to a clean, warm bowl and leave to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hr.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Turn the risen dough onto a deep oiled baking tray (about 20 x 30cm) and press to a rectangle about 2cm thick. Break the reserved herbs into smaller bits and push them into the dough. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave to rise until doubled in size.
• Once risen, press lots of holes into the dough with your fingers. Brush the top with a little more herb oil and sprinkle over some rough sea salt. Fill a shallow tray with some water and put in the bottom of the oven, with the bread on a shelf above. Bake for 25 mins until golden, reducing the temperature to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 if the bread starts to brown too much. Remove from the oven, scatter over the reserved herbs and bake for another 10-15 mins until cooked through. Cool on a wire rack until ready to eat. Tear into chunks and dip in more herb oil, if you like.

Steps:

• Oil lightly a well-seasoned 12 inch cast-iron skillet with vegetable oil and sprinkle bottom with cornmeal.
• In a large bowl, proof yeast in ½ cup lukewarm water and ½ tsp sugar for 15 minutes, or until foamy.
• Add 2 cups of flour, salt, herbs, ¾ cup olive oil and 1 ½ cups lukewarm water and stir until combined well.
• Stir in 4 cups flour and gather dough into a ball.
• Knead dough on a floured surface, adding more of remaining flour if necessary, for 15-20 minutes, or until smooth and elastic and no longer sticky.
• Form into a ball, put in an oiled bowl and turn to coat.
• Let dough rise, covered tightly with plastic wrap, in a warm place, for 45 minutes, or until doubled in bulk.
• Punch dough down.
• Knead lightly and halve.
• In skillet, flatten and stretch half the dough to cover bottom completely.
• With fingertips, dimple the dough in places 2 inches apart.
• Brush with 1 tblsp oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
• Arrange ¾ of the provolone, overlapping and leaving a ½ inch border; layer ¾s of plum tomatoes and top with remaining provolone.
• On a flat surface, flatten and stretch remaining dough to fit skillet.
• Lay over filling and press edges together firmly to enclose filling.
• Make dimples in the dough in the same manner as before, brush with 2 tblsps oil, and sprinkle with more coarse salt.
• Arrange remaining plum tomatoes and cherry tomatoes decoratively on dough.
• Brush with 1 tblsp oil.
• Let dough rise, covered with dampened kitchen towel, in a warm place, for 30 minutes.
• Bake in upper third of a preheated 400F oven for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until golden-brown around edge, and let cool in skillet for 5 minutes.
• Serve hot or at room temperature.

Steps:

• In bread machine pan, place the first 11 ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1-2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed).
• When cycle is complete, turn dough onto a greased baking sheet and punch down (dough will be sticky). With lightly oiled hands, pat dough into a 9 inch circle. Brush with oil; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt and pepper. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into wedges; serve warm.