Super yummy and super easy. You can do no wrong with this foccaccia – it comes out every time. As you will note in the directions, it is a very sticky dough. This is the only way it has ever worked for me. The more classic dough in which you knead by hand never, ever comes out for me. It always tastes like cardboard.
Give this focaccia a try, you can prepare it plain with no toppings and just a little salt, or with some of the other ideas I mention below. Either way, your home will have a heavenly scent after baking this bread! Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS
pinch of sugar
2 cups warm water
1 envelope dry yeast
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4-5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
sprigs of fresh rosemary (optional)
Several pinches sea salt
DIRECTIONS
1. Add a pinch of sugar to 2 cups of warm water. Immediately after, dissolve the yeast in the sugar water. (The sugar will help the yeast develop). Wait about 10-15 minutes for the yeast to foam. If you do not see a foam on the top of the water, the yeast has not properly developed and you need to start over, otherwise your dough will not rise.
2. While you are waiting for the yeast to develop, measure 4 cups of flour and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the salt, the yeast mixture and two tablespoons of olive oil.
3. Mix the ingredients with a large spoon or rubber spatula for about 5-8 minutes. The dough will be very sticky.
4. Lightly oil a large bowl and transfer the dough in this bowl. Cover with a cloth or plastic wrap and place the bowl in a warm, draft-free place. Let the dough rise, about 3 hours.
5. Generously oil a baking sheet the size of 9×12. Deflate the dough with a spoon and transfer it on the baking sheet. Put a little olive oil on your fingertips and stretch the dough to all corners of the pan. The dough will be sticky and that is the reason for putting a little olive oil on your fingers.
6. Once the dough is stretched on the pan, cover with cloth and allow to rest for about 30 minutes.
7. While the dough is resting preheat the oven to 475 degrees.
8. Before placing the focaccia in the oven, use your fingertips to make indentations in the dough. Drizzle olive oil over the dough and sprinkle with coarse salt. Add what other toppings you like: rosemary or sliced tomatoes or olives.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes covered with foil and for another 5 minutes uncovered. I have to cover mine, because otherwise it burns. Ovens seem to be a little temperamental, so you might have to adjust the baking time or covering with foil to suit your oven.
10. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Cut into squares and enjoy!
Italy Translated 
Bookmarking this! I’ve finally got the hang of making my own pizza dough and fresh pasta, so it’s about time I upped the ante
Thanks! Fresh pasta is on MY lists…something I still have not mastered……
I’m going to try this when Henry goes out of town! I’ve always wondered how you make it. 🙂 How much yeast is in your packet? (does it say how many grams?) One of my new year’s resolutions was to try a new recipe every month. I didn’t do one for Jan so I’m behind already!
hola! 7 grams on the yeast packet….make this…it is super easy…..hope the kids like it….. 🙂
You are so right about the “sticky dough affair”. I have learned only about a year ago how to make proper pizza and focaccia. A friend of mine from Naples taught me: it should always be wet. She also put some oil on her hands and that’s how she manages to work the dough and shape it as she likes.
I love the look of your focaccia: so simple yet sooo good! Bravissima!
PS: how do you find it living in Italy? I think you have certainly mastered how to cook very well the Italian way!
Gosh…you know? I have tried for years to make pizza the way my mother does (which is not sticky and does NOT taste like cardboard)…but I could never get it. This is the only way it works for me. Living in Italy is good from a vacation time and vacation location perspective. SOOO many beautiful things to see and do. Also…it is all every easy to get around (short distances to see spectacular things….unlike in Texas where you drive for 12 hours and yet: YOU ARE STILL IN TEXAS). So I get excited about that stuff. Still….I miss home and the way of life there. But we pretty much just apply the way we were living in the States to living here (when we can), so it works out well. Apart from the “no sandwiches for lunch” thing :), my husband has many American ways he adopted while living there.
How about you? Where in the UK are you? How long have you been there? I guess you miss home too!
I found you through your sister’s fab Dubai blog… you both lead such glamorous lives! ;o) OK the focaccia recipe seems easier than I expected (famous last words) and even something I thought I might be able to attempt… looks delicious!!
Hi!!! Thank you so much for stopping by! And yes….the focaccia recipe is super easy….give it a try. I love to cook, but I have to say the oven has NEVER been my friend….for the sweet or savory stuff….that is why I think you cannot go wrong with this recipe. If I can do it…ANYONE can!