The price of an average tasting focaccia in a plastic wrappy at the supermarket will cost you about £2.30, and that's enough for only one meal. So lately I've gotten really into bread making, partly because I've been quite stressed with my uni giving me a ton of problems and I've discovered that kneading bread is incredibly therapeutic, it's like a soft smooth punching bag.
The other day I made foccacia bread to take to a friend's dinner. It's the second time I've made it and I'm starting to get used to the whole 'science' that bread making involves. If I were a chem teacher I would make my students bake bread. If my science teacher at high school had conducted experiments like that, there would probably have been a less likely chance of me failing.
The other day I made foccacia bread to take to a friend's dinner. It's the second time I've made it and I'm starting to get used to the whole 'science' that bread making involves. If I were a chem teacher I would make my students bake bread. If my science teacher at high school had conducted experiments like that, there would probably have been a less likely chance of me failing.
This recipe is incredibly simple and so so yummy. You can make it the night before and refrigerate the dough, but I personally don't like the texture of refrigerated dough so i tend to bake it as soon as it has risen.
Easy Cheese and Herbs Focaccia Bread
Serves 8
- 230 g bread flour
- 170 ml warm water
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon white sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano and/or thyme
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- pinch of black pepper
- 1/2 cup cheese (i used a mixture of Parmesan and Edam but you can use any cheese of your preference)
- extra oil for greasing bowl
- extra flour for dusting
1. In small bowl put yeast, sugar and slowly add in water.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, oregano, thyme, and black pepper. Make a well in the middle and slowly pour in the yeast mixture, pour in the oil. Stir with a wooden spoon, then use your hands to mix it all into a ball.
3. Sprinkle flour over a clean work surface and tip out the dough. Knead the dough for 10 minutes till smooth and elastic. (If you are unsure of how to knead, this video is very helpful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWj8oHMPFm0)
4. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 220°C/428°F. Punch dough down; place on greased baking sheet. Pat into a 1/2 inch thick rectangle. Brush top with olive oil. Sprinkle with cheese, salt and rosemary. Bake for 15minutes or till golden brown.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, oregano, thyme, and black pepper. Make a well in the middle and slowly pour in the yeast mixture, pour in the oil. Stir with a wooden spoon, then use your hands to mix it all into a ball.
3. Sprinkle flour over a clean work surface and tip out the dough. Knead the dough for 10 minutes till smooth and elastic. (If you are unsure of how to knead, this video is very helpful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWj8oHMPFm0)
4. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 220°C/428°F. Punch dough down; place on greased baking sheet. Pat into a 1/2 inch thick rectangle. Brush top with olive oil. Sprinkle with cheese, salt and rosemary. Bake for 15minutes or till golden brown.
Enjoy!
In conclusion: Make your own bread. It tastes so much better, it's marginally more cost-effecient and it relieves stress =)
Hmm! sounds good will give it a try! I found a really easy one at recipezaar, called something like the easiest bestest focaccia recipe ever, or similar! It's worth a go if you need a super quick bread to eat with pasta. Let me know if you can't find it and fancy a go! Ali
ReplyDeletehaha thanks could you send me the link? I'll love to give it a go =) cheers.
ReplyDeleteok, you should find it here, I'm not so good with techno stuff, so hope this is what you need!!
ReplyDeletewww.recipezaar.com/The-Eastiest-Bestest-Focaccia-Bread-Ever-27968
It's actually pretty similar to the one you're using! sometimes I make it without the herbs but with garlic in it and fresh rosemary and sea salt on the top while it cooks, it's also good if you put bashed fennel seeds in as well as dry rosemary. Do you eat meat? Got a cracking italian sausage recipe....
A