Home Baked Foccacia Bread

I love baking bread at home, and I use this recipe, time and time again, when I have family or friends over for dinner.  It never fails me and wows everyone!

I would usually serve it with a balsamic vinegar and olive oil mix and a middle eastern dukkah dip, as an appetiser when people arrive, as we are usually chatting over drinks and dinner would still be 30-45 min away.

For the dough -:

3 Cups Plain Flour
2 Tbls Olive Oil
1 Tbls  Dried Yeast
1 Tsp salt
1 Cup Warm Water

1. Put the flour in a large bowl, (or you can use a mixer if you have one)   make a well
add the salt, yeast and olive oil, and the warm water. If you have a bread maker you can put all the ingredients in and put it on the dough cycle.

2. If you are not using a bread maker or mixer, knead it into a dough, I love this bit, you can push, fold and roll the dough over and over for about 5 min, this develops the structure and gluten.

3. With floured hands, make the dough into a roundish shape put it in a bowl, cover with cling film and leave in a warm place to prove, for about an hour. With 10-15 min to go you can preheat the oven to 225 c.

4. The dough will have doubled in size,  knead it again for a couple of minutes and then roll it into an oval shape, about 1.5-2 cm in depth, it does not have to be perfect, it's supposed to be rustic.

5. Push your fingers randomly through the dough
making large dents, drizzle liberally with olive oil, and sprinkle rock salt and fresh rosemary

6. Bake for 15-20 min and serve hot!

Suggestions for other toppings -:

I have used caramelised onions, cherry tomatoes and black olives or crushed garlic. Or you can serve it with a bowl of hot soup.

The day this picture was taken I served it simply with some lemon infused olive oil. Perfect!

Enjoy

Till next time

Ashia