Tuesday, June 14, 2011

La Focaccia Italiana ( Italian Focaccia Bread )

                                                         WHAT DO YOU THINK ??








         Since I arrived here in Italy, I have this passion about baking especially bread .
The Italian kitchen is a very rich one ...easy , yet delish !!
Anyway , about Focaccia...I tried a couple of recipes before but this one was the best ever...Let's get baking.


Ingredients:
4 C AP flour
1 1/2 ts salt
1/2 cube yeast or an envelope of dry yeast.
2 - 2 1/4 cups warm water.
1 1/2 TBs olive oil. " I used extra virgin"





Procedure:
     
  1.  In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in the warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with flour and oil ; stir well to combine. Stir in additional water if needed ( I don't think so ), . When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead  for about 6 minutes.( the dough is a bit sticky i.e well hydrated)
  3.  
  4. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours. ( first rise) 
  5. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface; knead briefly. Pat or roll the dough into a sheet and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.let rise for an hour (second rise)
  6. dip your finger in oil and make small dimples like in the photo , sprinkle with kosher salt and rosemary if desired.
  7. preheat your oven to 200 degrees ..
  8. Bake focaccia in preheated oven for  20 minutes, depending on desired crispness. If you like it moist and fluffy, then you'll have to wait just about 10 minutes. 
  9.  Buon Apettitio...