Herb-Infused Focaccia Delight
This Herb-Infused Focaccia Delight is a mouthwatering Italian flatbread that’s not only appealing to the eye but also to the palate. Perfect for summer barbecues, this abundant and flavorful bread can be quartered and filled with succulent barbecued chicken thighs, fresh greens, sliced red onions, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and a drizzle of Paul Newman's Own Ranch Dressing, turning it into an unforgettable meal. Its fragrant herbs — rosemary and oregano — lend a Mediterranean flair that's sure to impress your family and friends. Keep in mind that the preparation time indicated does not include the dough-making and rising times in the bread machine, but it’s a small wait for a truly divine bread experience!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried Yeast
2 teaspoons (None)
Bread Flour
3 cups (None)
Salt
1 teaspoon (None)
Sugar
1 tablespoon (None)
Dried Rosemary
1 teaspoon (None)
Dried Oregano
1 teaspoon (None)
Olive Oil
1 tablespoon (None)
Water
1 1/2 cups (Warm)
Instructions
1
Start by placing all the ingredients into the bread machine in the exact order listed. Ensure each ingredient is measured accurately for the best results.
2
Select the 'dough' cycle on your bread machine and let it do the work until the cycle is complete.
3
Once the cycle is complete, remove the dough from the bread machine and transfer it to a well-floured surface. Gently knead the dough for about 10 minutes, adding extra flour as needed to prevent sticking.
4
After kneading, place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and allow it to rise in a warm, draft-free environment for approximately 30 minutes.
5
Once it has risen, gently knead the dough again in the bowl for 1 minute to de-gas.
6
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangular shape measuring about 20 cm x 30 cm.
7
Transfer the rolled dough to a well-greased baking tray or sponge roll tin and allow it to rise again in a warm place for about 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
8
After the second rise, pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the dough. Use your fingers to spread and smooth the oil across the surface.
9
Using two fingers, create dimples in the surface of the dough at regular intervals. For an added flavor boost, sprinkle rock salt over the dough or top it with a mixture of equal parts olive oil and basil pesto, combined with grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and sliced black olives.
10
Bake in a preheated oven at 225°C for approximately 15 minutes or until the focaccia is golden brown on top.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herb-Infused Focaccia Delight?
Herb-Infused Focaccia Delight is a flavorful Italian flatbread infused with rosemary and oregano, perfect for side dishes or sandwiches.
Which herbs are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for dried rosemary and dried oregano to provide a Mediterranean flair.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 4 servings.
Do I need a bread machine for this recipe?
Yes, the instructions specify using a bread machine's 'dough' cycle for the initial mixing and rising.
What order should ingredients be placed in the bread machine?
Ingredients should be placed into the bread machine in the exact order they are listed in the recipe.
How long should I knead the dough by hand?
After the bread machine cycle, you should gently knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes.
How long is the first manual rise?
After kneading, the dough should rise in a greased bowl for approximately 30 minutes.
What is the purpose of the second rise?
The second rise allows the rolled dough to double in size on the baking tray, which takes about 1 hour.
What size should the dough be rolled into?
The dough should be rolled into a rectangular shape measuring roughly 20 cm x 30 cm.
At what temperature should the focaccia be baked?
The oven should be preheated and set to 225 degrees Celsius.
How long does the baking process take?
The focaccia typically bakes for about 15 minutes or until it turns golden brown on top.
Why do you create dimples in the dough?
Dimples are created using your fingers to help hold the olive oil and any additional toppings on the surface.
What toppings can I add for extra flavor?
Suggested toppings include rock salt, basil pesto, Parmesan or Romano cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and sliced black olives.
Can this bread be used for sandwiches?
Yes, it is excellent when quartered and filled with barbecued chicken, greens, onions, tomatoes, avocado, and ranch dressing.
Does the prep time include the bread machine cycle?
No, the preparation time indicated does not include the time the dough spends in the bread machine or the rising times.
What type of flour is required?
The recipe requires 3 cups of bread flour.
What type of yeast is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of dried yeast.
What temperature should the water be?
The 1.5 cups of water used in the recipe should be warm.
How much olive oil is used for the topping?
One tablespoon of olive oil is poured over and smoothed across the dough before baking.
Is sugar necessary for this bread?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of sugar is included to help activate the yeast and provide flavor.
How do I 'de-gas' the dough?
To de-gas, gently knead the dough in the bowl for 1 minute after the first 30-minute rise.
What kind of baking tray should I use?
A well-greased baking tray or a sponge roll tin is recommended for this recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for summer events?
Absolutely, it is specifically noted as being perfect for summer barbecues.
Can I use different cheeses for the topping?
Yes, the recipe suggests either grated Parmesan or Romano cheese.
What dressing goes well with sandwiches made from this bread?
Paul Newman's Own Ranch Dressing is recommended for a delicious sandwich experience.
How much salt is in the dough?
The dough itself contains 1 teaspoon of salt, separate from any rock salt sprinkled on top.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized under Yeast Breads.
Can I add ingredients in any order?
No, you must follow the exact order listed for the bread machine to function correctly.
How many ingredients are in the base recipe?
There are 8 primary ingredients including yeast, flour, salt, sugar, herbs, oil, and water.
What texture should the final bread have?
The final product should be a soft flatbread with a golden brown, slightly crisp top.