Imagine the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked focaccia bread wafting through your home. With a KitchenAid stand mixer, this Italian delicacy is not just a dream, but a delicious reality that you can create with ease. This versatile appliance is a game-changer in bread-making, ensuring consistent results and making the process more convenient. Let's dive into how your KitchenAid mixer can make light work of preparing focaccia bread, including the perfect dough recipe and essential techniques.
Focaccia bread is a flatbread with a dimpled surface, originating from Southern Italy. It's celebrated for its slightly chewy crust and soft interior, perfect for mopping up sauces or as a base for paninis. The key to a great focaccia lies in the dough, which should be soft, airy, and rich in olive oil. A KitchenAid stand mixer is an excellent tool for creating this perfect dough, automating the kneading process and ensuring consistent results.
The Perfect Focaccia Dough Recipe for Your KitchenAid Mixer
The secret to a wonderful focaccia begins with the right dough. This recipe makes a large focaccia, perfect for sharing.
Ingredients: 500g strong white bread flour, 1 tsp salt, 7g fast-action dried yeast, 3 tbsp olive oil, 400ml warm water, 100g pitted olives (optional), coarsely chopped
Mixing the Dough
Start by adding flour, salt, and yeast to the KitchenAid bowl. Using the dough hook attachment, mix on low (speed 2) for about 30 seconds. In a separate bowl, combine olive oil and warm water. Pour this slowly into the dry ingredients while mixing on low speed.
Once all the liquid is incorporated, increase the speed to medium (speed 4) and let the mixer knead the dough for about 5 minutes. If using olives, add them now and mix until just combined. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky but smooth and elastic. If it's too sticky, add a little more flour; if too dry, add a little more water.
First Rise
Form the dough into a ball and place it in a large greased bowl. Cover with a damp cloth or cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size. Tip the risen dough onto a floured surface and gently press it out with your hands to remove some air bubbles.
Using both hands, lift one side of the dough and let it drop back onto the surface. Repeat all around the edge of the dough, giving it a sort of sideways stretch. This stretches the dough and creates the dimples in your focaccia. Transfer the dough to a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring it fits the sheet without stretching it too much.
Proving and Baking the Focaccia
Now, leave your shaped dough to prove for another hour, or until it's puffy and almost doubled in size. Towards the end of the proving time, preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7/425°F/390°F convection/390°F convection.
Topping and Baking
Once proved, gently dimple the surface of the dough using your fingers. Drizzle with a little more olive oil, and sprinkle with your chosen toppings (e.g., herbs, cheese, tomatoes). Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and brush immediately with more olive oil while still hot. This will give your focaccia a lovely sheen and extra flavor. Let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Baking focaccia bread with your KitchenAid mixer is a delightful and rewarding experience. The rich, herby aroma will fill your home and make your efforts worthwhile. So, get baking and enjoy the fruits of your labor! Remember, you can experiment with different toppings and make this classic Italian bread your own. Buon appetito!