If you're a fan of Italian cuisine, chances are you've fallen in love with the warm, comforting taste of focaccia bread. This versatile dish, with its unique combination of crispy exterior and soft, airy interior, is a staple in many households. And who better to help you bring this delight into your kitchen than King Arthur Baking Company?
King Arthur is a renowned name in the baking world, known for its high-quality products and reliable recipes. So, let's dive into their simple and foolproof method for making easy focaccia bread at home.
Understanding Focaccia Bread
Before we start, it's essential to understand what makes focaccia bread uniquely delicious. Focaccia, derived from the Latin 'focus', or hearth, is an ancient Italian flatbread. Traditionally, it's baked in a wood-fired oven and often topped with herbs, olive oil, and sometimes other ingredients like tomatoes or olives.
A genuine focaccia should be bread, not a biscuit or a cracker. It should have a soft, slightly chewy texture, with a golden, crispy crust. It's not just a vehicle for toppings; it's a flavorful, pillowy delight on its own.
The Unique Dough
The secret to a perfect focaccia lies in its dough. Unlike other bread, focaccia dough is quite wet and sticky, making it easier to handle with oiled hands rather than a rolling pin. This technique helps to create the distinctive dimples on the surface, which not only give focaccia its signature look but also allow the topping ingredients to sink into the bread.
The dough's high hydration also contributes to its soft, airy texture. King Arthur's recipe uses a 70% hydration dough, which might seem daunting at first, but with King Arthur's high-gluten bread flour, it becomes manageable and ensures a fantastic result.
The Olive Oil Connection
Olive oil is another key element in focaccia bread. It's used both in the dough and as a topping. The oil in the dough enhances its flavor, keeps it soft, and promotes browning. Meanwhile, the topping of olive oil before baking ensures a crispy crust and provides additional flavor.
King Arthur recommends using a fruity extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor. Don't worry if you're not an olive oil connoisseur; any high-quality olive oil will do.
King Arthur's Easy Focaccia Recipe
Now that we understand the basics, let's get into King Arthur's easy focaccia bread recipe. As always, King Arthur provides clear, detailed instructions, making it beginner-friendly.
The recipe uses a standard bread-making technique: mix, rest, shape, proof, and bake. The unique aspect is the dough's high hydration and the focus on dimpling the dough before proofing and after adding toppings.
Mix and Rest the Dough
Begin by mixing the flour, salt, and yeast in a mixing bowl. Gradually add water, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Let it rest for 15 minutes, a technique called autolyse, which helps with gluten development and hydration.
After resting, add the olive oil and mix until the dough comes together. This wet, sticky dough will be tricky to handle, so keep your hands and work surface well-oiled.
Shape, Proof, and Top the Dough
Transfer the dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet and use oiled hands to stretch and dimple it into a rectangle. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Next, proof the dough at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours, or until it's nearly doubled in size. Just before baking, dimple the dough again and add your toppings. King Arthur suggests a mix of olive oil, salt, and fresh rosemary, but you can get creative with your favorite herbs, spices, or even vegetables.
Bake and Enjoy
Preheat your oven to 475°F or 450°F convection. Bake your focaccia for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before slicing.
Finally, slice, serve, and enjoy your homemade focaccia. The King Arthur way ensures a perfect balance of soft, chewy interior and crispy, golden crust, every time.
The joy of baking is in the journey, and King Arthur's easy focaccia recipe ensures that journey is smooth and delicious. So, why not give it a try today and bring a taste of Italy into your home?