Same Day Focaccia Bread
Ingredients
4 cups (512 g) all-purpose flour or bread flour
2 teaspoons (10 g) salt
1.5 teaspoons instant yeast
420 mL water lukewarm water
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided and for greasing
flaky sea salt, such as Maldon
1 to 2 teaspoons whole rosemary leaves for topping, optional
Notes
As always, for best results, use a digital scale to measure the flour and water.
This is the pan that I use for making focaccia - it is so great and nothing sticks! Using a nonstick pan is very important or your focaccia may stick. You can line it with a layer of parchment if you are worried, or add some butter first and then olive oil for insurance but your best bet is to use something nonstick and metal.
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk the warm water and honey. Sprinkle the yeast on top of water. Cover the bowl with a tea towel and leave to stand for 5 minutes. (After 5 minutes, mixture should be foamy on top)
Add extra virgin olive oil, salt, and flour. Mix well then cover bowl with towel for 10 minutes
Perform a set of stretch and folds on the dough. To do this, wet your hands, then take a section of the dough and stretch it up and fold it onto itself. Rotate the bowl 90° and repeat the process. Repeat this two more times until you have gone around the bowl, then do one more set of four stretch and folds around the bowl (a total of 8 stretch and folds). Cover the bowl with the tea towel and leave to sit for 15 minutes.
Repeat the stretch and folding and resting process two more times, for a total of three rounds of stretch and folds, each with 30 minutes apart After final stretch and pull, proof dough in bowl for additional 1.5 hours
Transfer dough to 9x13 pan lined with parchment and oil
Fold dough into thirds. Then turn dough longways.
Leave the pan in a warm spot, uncovered, to rise, until doubled in size, puffy, and jiggly, for another 1.5 hours
Drizzle with oil and toppings of choice (minced garlic, rosemary, flakey salt)
Gently dimple dough with fingers. (The more you dimple, the flatter your bread will be. I don’t do a lot of dimples because I like my bread to be thicker)
Immediately bake at 430 F on bottom rack for 19 minutes.
Serve with pasta, salad, or by itself and enjoy!!!
