Herb-Infused Focaccia with Kalamata Olives
Enjoy a delightful twist on the classic focaccia with this recipe inspired by Chef Daniel of the Cucina Cucina restaurant chain. This rich, aromatic bread features garlic or rosemary-infused olive oil and is generously topped with briny kalamata olives. It’s perfect as a side dish for your favorite pasta, as an appetizer, or simply enjoyed fresh from the oven. The infusion of herbs into the olive oil elevates the rustic flavors while the texture remains irresistibly fluffy and soft inside with a perfectly crisp crust. Perfect for sharing, this focaccia is sure to impress your guests with its enticing aroma and flavors.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
Easiest Ever Pizza Dough
1 batch (prepared according to instructions)
Garlic or Rosemary Infused Olive Oil
1 ounce (prepared by heating olive oil with chopped garlic or fresh rosemary)
Pitted Kalamata Olives
1 cup (pitted and roughly chopped)
Sea Salt
to taste (for sprinkling)
Cornmeal
for dusting (for preparing the baking sheet)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the garlic-infused olive oil. Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan and add chopped garlic cloves. Cook over low heat for about five minutes, then remove from heat and allow to cool. Strain through cheesecloth before using.
2
Take your pre-made easiest ever pizza dough and divide it into pieces, rolling each into 5 to 7-ounce balls.
3
For each ball, roll out the dough into circles—10 inches in diameter for the 5-ounce portions and 13 inches for the 7-ounce portions, ensuring it is very thin.
4
Place the rolled dough on a prepared baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal to prevent sticking.
5
Brush a generous amount of your herb-infused olive oil over the surface of each dough circle.
6
Sprinkle the pitted kalamata olives evenly over the dough and finish with a light dusting of sea salt.
7
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for approximately 10 minutes or until the focaccia is golden brown and lightly crisped on the edges.
8
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herb-Infused Focaccia with Kalamata Olives?
It is a savory Italian-style bread featuring garlic or rosemary-infused olive oil and briny kalamata olives, known for its fluffy interior and crisp crust.
Who inspired this focaccia recipe?
This recipe was inspired by Chef Daniel of the Cucina Cucina restaurant chain.
What are the primary ingredients needed?
The main ingredients are Easiest Ever Pizza Dough, garlic or rosemary-infused olive oil, pitted kalamata olives, sea salt, and cornmeal.
How do I prepare the garlic-infused olive oil?
Heat olive oil with chopped garlic over low heat for five minutes, let it cool, and strain through cheesecloth.
Can I use rosemary instead of garlic for the oil?
Yes, you can heat fresh rosemary with the olive oil to create a rosemary-infused version.
How should I portion the pizza dough?
Divide the dough into pieces and roll them into balls weighing between 5 and 7 ounces each.
How thin should the 5-ounce dough portions be rolled?
Roll the 5-ounce portions into thin circles approximately 10 inches in diameter.
What size should the 7-ounce dough portions be?
The 7-ounce portions should be rolled into thin circles approximately 13 inches in diameter.
Why is cornmeal used in this recipe?
Cornmeal is sprinkled on the baking sheet to prevent the dough from sticking.
How do I apply the herb-infused oil to the dough?
Brush a generous amount of the prepared oil over the entire surface of each rolled dough circle.
How should the kalamata olives be prepared?
The olives should be pitted and roughly chopped before being sprinkled on the dough.
What type of salt is recommended for topping?
A light dusting of sea salt is recommended to finish the focaccia before baking.
What is the required oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does the focaccia take to bake?
It typically takes about 10 minutes to bake.
How can I tell when the focaccia is done?
The bread is ready when it is golden brown and the edges are lightly crisped.
Should the focaccia be served hot or cold?
It is best served warm, shortly after cooling slightly from the oven.
What are some serving suggestions for this bread?
It serves well as a side dish for pasta, an appetizer, or as a fresh-baked snack.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 5 ingredients: pizza dough, infused oil, olives, sea salt, and cornmeal.
What is the texture of this focaccia?
The texture is irresistibly fluffy and soft on the inside with a perfectly crisp outer crust.
Can I use pre-made dough for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifically suggests using pre-made 'Easiest Ever Pizza Dough'.
How long should the infused oil cool before straining?
The oil should be allowed to cool sufficiently after its five-minute simmer before straining through cheesecloth.
Is this recipe suitable for guests?
Yes, its enticing aroma and rustic flavors are sure to impress guests.
Should the olives be distributed evenly?
Yes, sprinkle the chopped olives evenly over the surface of the dough.
Do I need to grease the baking sheet?
Instead of grease, the recipe uses a dusting of cornmeal to prepare the baking sheet.
What category of food does this fall into?
It is categorized under baking, specifically Italian yeast breads.
What tools are needed to strain the oil?
You will need cheesecloth to properly strain the garlic or rosemary from the oil.
Can I make different sizes of focaccia?
Yes, the recipe provides instructions for both 10-inch and 13-inch diameter circles.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is preparing the garlic-infused olive oil by heating oil and garlic in a small saucepan.
How should the focaccia be handled after baking?
Remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing it into pieces.
Can this be used as a pizza base?
While it uses pizza dough, the thin rolling and herb-oil topping make it a traditional focaccia style.