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Focaccia

A light and chewy Italian flatbread. Serve as a side to any meal or use to make sandwiches. Unlike pizza, focaccia is usually just brushed with rich olive oil and, perhaps, sprinkled with coarse salt and coarsely chopped herbs as sage, basil, and oregano.
Focaccia
Yield 1 focaccia

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 - 3 cups bread flour
  • 1 (0.25oz) package (7g) or 2 1/4 teaspoons Red Star Active Dry Yeast
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon table salt
  • 1 cup warm water (120-130°F)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Olive oil for brushing top of dough
  • Toppings (see below)

Instructions

  • Combine 1 cup flour, yeast, sugar, salt in mixer bowl, whisk together. Add warm water and olive oil. Mix with paddle attachment for 4 minutes on medium speed. Gradually add enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough. Switch to dough hook attachment. Knead with dough hook for 5 to 7 minutes on medium speed until smooth and elastic.
    (NOTE: For hand mixing: following above steps, mix ingredients in large mixing bowl using a wooden spoon or dough whisk. Knead on floured surface until smooth and elastic.)
  • Place dough in lightly oiled bowl and turn to grease top. Cover; let rise until indentation remains after poking dough with finger down to second knuckle.
  • Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; punch down to remove air bubbles.
  • Shaping method 1: Shape into a ball, place on a greased baking sheet. Flatten to a 14-inch circle. With a table knife, cut a circle in dough about 1 inch from edge, cutting almost through to the baking sheet. Prick center with a fork.
    Shaping method 2: Place dough on greased sheet pan. Shape into oval or rectangle, about 14 inches long. Using your fingers, poke the surface to dimple the focaccia. Press almost through the dough, as the dimples will close a little during rising.
  • Cover; let rise about 15 minutes. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with desired toppings. Bake in preheated 375°F oven 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheet to cool. Serve warm or cool.
  • Suggested Focaccia Toppings: sun-dried tomatoes, grilled green pepper slices, sautéed onion rings, grated hard cheese and fresh or dried herbs of any combination.
    Featured topping in picture: 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, coarse salt for sprinkling.

Notes

Get Bread Machine Method here.
Photo by Completely Delicious.