Sunday, October 23, 2011

Garlic Rosemary Focaccia


This bread is a staple in our household for just about any meal. 

What should we have for dinner tonight?  Chicken, broccoli and, oh, how about that focaccia bread?  ,

What should we have for breakfast?  Mmm...maybe we should make fried egg sandwiches on that focaccia bread!

Do we have anything to snack on?  Ooo, that focaccia bread would be good toasted with a bit of cheese and avocado on top!

This bread is very versatile, but my absolute favorite is the garlic and rosemary with a sprinkling of sea salt on top.  I have made this focaccia with kalamata olives and parmesan cheese, roasted garlic and sage and I have even turned this into a simple pizza topped with pesto, tomatoes and and mozzarella. 

I'm posting this at request from my hubby who is literally sick to his poor little tummy from the very sub-par cafeteria food he's been eating for the past two months.  He is going crazy for a taste of good food and home and has found someone on the Army base that has a functioning oven.  Its still in hot debate whether he or I make this bread the best.  The copious amount of olive oil he slathers onto the top of this probably negate any of the health benefits of the garlic (or the health benefits of a reasonable amount of olive oil), but ohhhhhhh is it amazing.  Therefore, Mace, I am declaring you master of this bread!  Go bake it for your classmates and show off your mad bread-making skills!

A side note: Most of the bread recipes I post I use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.  But, any bread recipes can be done by kneading the dough by hand unless otherwise noted.  If you knead your bread by hand you will want to approximately double the kneading time.

Photo courtesy of my sister Kellie
**This recipe was updated 12/27/11 after some very successful adaptations and also adding weight measurements.  Trust me, it might be unbelievable, but its so much more delightful now!**

Garlic Rosemary Focaccia

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Ingredients
1 Tbsp dry yeast
1 1/3 cups warm water (about 105 degrees)
1 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp kosher salt
3 T. Olive Oil
4 cups (560 grams) all-purpose flour
6 cloves finely chopped garlic (alter to your taste, we love garlic, but this amount might be overkill for some)
2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary (again, alter to your taste), plus more for sprinkling
Olive oil, for brushing
Sea salt, for sprinkling


Directions

Combine water, yeast  and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.  Once the yeast has dissolved and looks foamy add salt, 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 cups (420 grams) flour, garlic and rosemary.  Mix on low speed until combined and then increase to medium speed, adding up to 1 cup (140 grams) of flour as necessary, until dough is smooth and elastic, approximately 5 minutes.

Transfer dough to a well oiled bowl, oil the top of the dough and then cover with plastic wrap.  Allow to rise approximately one hour, or until doubled in size, and the dough does not spring back when indented with your finger.

Remove dough from bowl and punch down to remove the air bubbles.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and roll the dough into a rectangle on the sheet.  Cover and allow to rise 30 minutes. 

Preheat oven to 425.  Brush dough with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt and rosemary.  Prick the dough with the tines of a fork all over, then bake for 15-20 minutes or until browned.  Brush with more olive oil when it comes out of the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. 

This is best eaten warm on the same day it is baked, but will last a couple days if you don't eat it all in one sitting.  My preference for day old bread is to toast it. 

Eat it!

24 comments:

  1. I do have a weakness for any type of garlic bread and that first picture really is making my mouth water. Funny, it is not to hard to incorporate bread into any meal! This bread would not last long here. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Yum!

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  2. Heya Maggie! This bread sounds awesome to have with some spaghetti and meatballs. I'll have to plan that into next week's meals.

    Looks like your blog's off to a great start - savor the adventure! :)

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  3. I truly wish I wasn't terrified of making bread, because this sounds AMAZING! I love focaccia, and then add garlic and rosemary? Yum!
    Nice to "meet" you through Foodbuzz...

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  4. Wow this bread looks fantastic! What a great recipe :) Love your blog, so glad to be a new follower! xoxo

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  5. M-M-M! Leftover focaccia makes a most excellent pannini too! Garlic rosemary is such a perfect flavor combo for this bread too. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

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  6. I need this! This sounds amazing. Glad to have found your blog!

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  7. Oh I gotta try this, We love bread in our house, thanks for sharing!!!

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  8. Nothing beats homemade bread and focaccia is right at the top of the list! Garlic and rosemary, yummy!

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  9. Thanks for posting this recipe and saying I make it the best...which I don't know is exactly true. This bread is absolutely delicious no matter which one of us makes it. Love you!!! Mace

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  10. This looks so delicious! Garlic and rosemary are the perfect combination! It looks wonderful, and I like how to cute them in long slices :)

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  11. I love Focaccia bread! This looks like an amazing recipe! Thanks for sharing!

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  12. That looks really good! I would love to eat some with avocado.

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  13. This recipe looks very delicious! I will definitely make this, we looove bread!! P.S. your baby is adorable :)

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  14. This looks fantastic! Love the picture of you & your little one!

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  15. mm, this looks so good! I am a sucker for bread...and rosemary...and garlic! haha

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  16. i love homemade focaccia! garlic and rosemary sounds just divine!

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  17. Looks amazing!! Sounds sooooo good. I am chomping at the bit for this.

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  18. I tried focaccia earlier this week but I forgot to prettify it with the indents. I was ok - but didn't have enough bubbles. I will need to try your recipe - love garlic and rosemary combination.

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  19. And I can expect my invitation to dinner when you make this next when??? Looks incredible.

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  20. My mouth is watering - this looks so great I will have to try it :D

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  21. I loooveee focaccia! Especially with garlic and rosemary! This looks so delicious!

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  22. Looks delicious, thanks for sharing the recipe!

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  23. This focaccia is absolutely delish! Bread is really intimidating to me. I can never seem to get it right, but this came out great the first time. I can't wait to make it again!

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