Roots of a Southern Kitchen

Focaccia was the first type of bread I ever made! It is the perfect beginner friendly bread because it doesn’t need to rise a ton, and this recipe doesn’t require kneading either! Focaccia is amazing because you can use veggies and herbs to enhance both the flavor and appearance. For the bread in the photo, I used fresh tomatoes and basil from the garden!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp fine salt
• 1 1/2 tsp instant yeast
• 3/4 cup water
• 2T extra virgin olive oil (plus more for drizzling)

Steps:

1. Combine yeast with a few tablespoons of lukewarm water and a pinch of sugar. Let rest for 5-10 minutes until bubbly and frothy. This tells you the yeast is alive!
2. Mix flour and salt in a large bowl. Add in yeast mixture, water, and olive oil. Mix with a spoon until dough is combined well. There should be no white flour left, but it’s okay if it’s lumpy! You don’t want to overwork the dough.
3. Cover and let sit somewhere warm for 3-4 hours or until it has doubled in size. *If you’re in a rush, preheat your oven to the lowest temp, then turn off. Let dough rise in warm oven for roughly 30 minutes*
4. Drizzle baking sheet with olive oil and pour dough onto pan. Using your hands, gently spread out dough to about 1/2 inch thick.
5. Let dough rest again for 1-2 hours (or 20 min in warm oven)
6. Drizzle dough with olive oil and any herbs, vegetables, cheese, and other spices you’d like. Use your fingers to make dimples all over the dough, gently massaging to create air pockets in the dough. Click here to see a video of this being done!
7. Let dough rest 10 min.
8. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool 10 min before slicing and enjoy!