The name for this delicious and hearty bread comes from the Latin focus which means home, family, and hearth — presumably because this bread was baked there.
Rosemary Garlic Focaccia
This classic Italian focaccia is easy to prepare and makes for a great snack or bread for prosciutto or mortadella sandwiches.
Servings 8 people
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary or 1 tablespoon dried
- 4-6 sprigs fresh time or 1 tablespoon dried
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 235 ml warm water
- 2¼ tsp instant yeast
- ¼ tsp honey
- 315 grams all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tbsp freshly chopped rosemary to sprinkle on top
- 1 tsp coarse salt to sprinkle on top
Instructions
Infuse the Olive Oil
- Combine olive oil, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and the black pepper in a skillet. Place the pan over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes but before the garlic browns.
- Remove garlic cloves, and sprigs of rosemary and thyme (if using fresh herbs). Set infused oil aside.
Assemble the dough
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and honey. Stir a few times until honey is dissolved.
- Add about half of the flour and a 1/4 cup (i.e., half) of the infused olive oil mixture to the bowl with yeast, water, and honey. Incorporate the flour and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the remaining flour and the salt until combined. Transfer the dough to a floured board and knead until smooth (a few minutes).
- Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl, turning the dough over to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let it rise for 1 hour in a proofing box or warm area of the kitchen.
Bake the Focaccia
- About the time the dough is finished rising, preheat the oven to 450F / 230C.
- Use two tablespoons of the remaining infused olive oil to oil a 9 x 13-inch rimmed baking sheet. (See note if you do not have a baking sheet this size).
- Transfer the dough to the baking pan and press it down. Use your fingers to dimple the dough then drizzle the top with the remaining infused oil. Top with chopped rosemary and coarse salt.
- Let the dough rise for 20 minutes until it puffs slightly.
- Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool baked focaccia on a wire rack.
Notes
This recipe calls for a 9 x 13” rimmed baking sheet, but a 9 x 13” rimmed baking dish with taller sides will also work.
This recipe was adapted from InspiredTaste.com; we found that infusing the oil with whole sprigs of rosemary and smashed garlic (rather than minced) was both easier and avoided burning the bits of garlic on the top of the focaccia while it bakes.