Trisha’s Focaccia Bread

I’ve had quite a few emails asking for Trisha’s (from Naturally By Trisha) focaccia bread recipe that was mentioned in her blog about the delicious hummus a couple of weeks back, so here it is.

Focaccia bread will always turn any meal into a special event…. it takes no time at all to make and it’s super easy. Everyone loves this focaccia bread. Use it for a peasant lunch with salads, cheese and olives, or with dips like hummus, pesto and tapenade.

For a main meal with soup, a hearty stew or with pasta to mop up the red sauce. If there is any left over in the morning my kids will toast it and use it under eggs for breakfast. I also use this bread as my pizza base.

For focaccia vary the garnishes. My fave is fresh rosemary. Try black olives, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh sage leaves or caramelised onions. Rock salt is an absolute essential. You may have noticed from my other blogs that all my recipes are simple.

I cannot be bothered making food so complicated you don’t enjoy making it. Creating simple, delicious, healthy and visually appealing food is the name of the game in my kitchen.

Trisha’s Focaccia Bread

2 1/2 tsp yeast granules

1 cup warm water

1 tsp salt

3 tbsp olive oil

pinch sugar

2 1/2 cups flour

Extra coarse sea/rock salt, fresh rosemary & extra olive oil to to garnish

Your choice of black olives, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh sage leaves or caramelised onions

Method

In a large mixing bowl dissolve yeast in warm water with the salt, olive oil & sugar.

Stir in the flour in 2-3 additions.

Knead the bread until it is smooth and elastic, working in a sprinkling of extra flour as needed.

Rub olive oil over the ball of dough and place back into the mixing bowl. Cover with a tea towel and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk. This won’t take long. Depending on the ambient temperature between 1/2hour to an hour.

When the dough has risen, gently place onto a greased baking tray and evenly spread it out using the flat of your hand. Try to keep a uniform thickness of about 1/2 inch.

Add the topping of your choice; fresh rosemary sprigs, fresh sage leaves or caramelised onions. If you use black olives or sun-dried tomatoes make shallow diagonal slits on the surface of the dough and nestle the halved and pitted olives or tomatoes in the slits. Sprinkle liberally with chunky salt.

Bake in a preheated oven 220 deg C (450 deg F) for about 15 to 25 minutes, until nicely browned. As soon as the focaccia is removed from the oven pour over about 3 tablespoons of good olive oil. With a soft brush gently spread the oil over the upper surface of the bread.