No-Fuss Focaccia

There is a lot to be said for a recipe that includes the term 'no-fuss' in the title. A term that doesn't always come to mind when you think of bread. A term that is aptly used in this case.

Warm, aromatic yeast bread, hot from the oven — with no kneading, AND in under 2 hours?

See, no-fuss.

We were having pasta for dinner so I decided to make some focaccia to serve alongside. We had had a hectic day of jobs around the hose so I didn't want anything too complex. This certainly fit the bill.

You'll need to be careful with the yeast. It calls for instant yeast - not the regular kind which needs more time to rise. Also, the recipe calls for a tablespoon of yeast. I had one of those little packets so I thought I was fine. Then I realized that a packet contains 2.25 teaspoons of yeast so I didn't use enough. The bread still rose but the crumb wasn't as good as it would have been had I used the right amount. Next time.

I've added a jar of instant yeast to my shopping list.

Anyway, yeast trauma aside, this turned out well. Great flavour, no-fuss 9as promised), and ready in less than two hours.

No-Fuss Focaccia

5 tablespoons (60g) olive oil, divided
1 1/2 cups (340g) water, warm
1 1/4 teaspoons (8g) salt
3 1/2 cups (418g)  all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon instant yeast

Use non-stick vegetable oil spray to lightly grease a 9" x 13" pan. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons (25g) of the olive oil atop the spray; the spray keeps the bread from sticking, while the olive oil gives the bottom crust great flavor and a bit of crunch.

Combine the remaining 3 tablespoons (35g) of the olive oil with the rest of the dough ingredients, and beat at high speed with an electric mixer for 60 seconds.

Scoop the sticky batter into the prepared pan, cover the pan, and let it rise at room temperature for 60 minutes — it should be quite puffy, but not fragile-looking.

While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 375°F.

Gently poke the dough all over with your index finger.

Drizzle it lightly with olive oil, and dried herbs of your choice, if desired.

Bake the bread until it's golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

Remove it from the oven, wait 5 minutes, then turn it out of the pan onto a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Comments

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I really like focaccia, it is one of those breads that I can just sit down and eat and eat. It is very good.