Herbed Focaccia

3/27/2019

I don't serve bread often with our meals, but from time to time I love to serve buttery rolls, sliced crispy baguette or most recently this yummy herbed focaccia. It takes a little bit of time, but is super easy, almost fool-proof and absolutely a perfect addition to many meals and delicious sliced in half and utilized to make a fantastic sandwich!

This is a very versatile recipe so if you don't want to add the Italian herbs then don't or switch it up. Herbs de Provence is a great substitution and instead of using sliced cherry tomatoes, try sliced olives, artichokes or sliced onions. But whatever you do, the next time you'll probably end up doubling the recipe as this stuff disappears quickly!

Herbed Focaccia

Ingredients

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3 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 Tbs active dry yeast
1 1/2 C warm water*
pinch of sugar
2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp salt
2 Tbs dried Italian herbs
3 sprigs fresh thyme
3 cherry tomatoes thinly sliced
Cornmeal for dusting

Directions

In a large bowl combine 1/2 C warm water*, sugar and sprinkle in the yeast. Stir and allow to begin to bubble a little. It should become a little frothy on top, then add 1 C of the flour and combine. Sprinkle the remaining flour on top of the mixture, but do not stir in. Place in warm area and allow the yeast mixture to rise until it rises up through the flour, approx 30-60 minutes.
Add the remaining warm water, olive oil, salt and herbs, stirring to combine. Turn out onto a floured work surface and knead 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic. It should be very soft and a little bit sticky. Shape into a ball and place in an oiled bowl, coating the dough well with additional olive oil. Allow to rise in a warm area until doubled in volume.
Punch down the dough and divide into two equal pieces. Shape into balls and place on heavily floured surface at least 6 inches apart. Brush the tops with olive oil and allow to rise until doubled in volume.
Stretch and shape each ball into 10-inch disks and place on a heavy baking sheet that has been dusted with cornmeal. Prick the dough all over with a fork. Press fingers into dough making dimples throughout. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and adding thinly sliced cherry tomatoes and little leave/torn sprigs of thyme to adorn. Lastly drizzle sparingly a little olive oil on each loaf. Bake in a preheated 450F oven for about 20 minutes, until golden brown.
Cool on a wire rack. Makes two 10-inch loaves, to serve 6-8

*Tips*

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*Warm water should be the temp one would run for a baby's bath.