Tuscan Focaccia Bread Recipe
Whatever you are simmering, stewing or brewing, this Tuscan focaccia bread recipe will be an incredible accompaniment to any Italian cooking recipes!
There is nothing like old fashioned homemade bread but I have to say I do love my bread maker. What a time saver. Everyone should own one! Just add your ingredients to the bread maker and voo-ell-aa, out comes a perfect pizza dough or a beautiful healthy loaf of bread. It’s magic I say!
Anywho, back to Focaccia bread. Serve this decadent treat hot out of the oven with one of my Italian soup recipes or just dip it in a good quality extra virgin olive oil and some aged balsamic vinegar. Either way, your family and/or guests will enjoy every morsel!
Michele Romano Recipes
Grana Padano Focaccia Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup plus 1 tbsp lukewarm water
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cups unbleached flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1-1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp quick rise yeast
Preparation:
- Add warm water and all the following ingredients to bread machine or food processor.
- Place on dough cycle or mix in food processor until dough forms.
- Remove dough and place on lightly floured surface, knead for 2 minutes.
- Roll out into a approx 15 x 11 inch triangle, place on greased or parchment paper covered cookie sheet.
- Cover and let rise in warm place for 30-40 minutes until double in size.
- When risen, follow instructions below for your choice of topping.
Focaccia Bread Topping: #1
- 1 cup green or black olives, sliced in half, or mix half black and half green.
- Extra virgin olive oil to brush over surface
- 3/4 tsp coarse sea salt
- Leaves from 2 fresh rosemary sprigs (1 tbsp)
- 3 tbsp fresh grated Grana Padano cheese (or parmesan will work too)
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Place olives halves all over top and press down lightly into dough.
- Brush generously with olive oil.
- Sprinkle top of dough evenly with sea salt, rosemary and fresh grated cheese.
- Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden on top.
Topping #2
- 4 oz pancetta or Italian salami, diced
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 12 fresh basil leaves, torn
- 2 tbsp fresh grated Romano or Parmesan cheese.
- Sea salt, fresh grated pepper
Preparation:
- Brush risen dough generously with olive oil.
- Press diced meat into dough and place a piece of basil in indent with meat.
- Sprinkle with cheese salt and fresh pepper.
- Bake on greased or parchment covered cookie sheet for 20-25 minutes or until golden.
Topping #3
- 1 cup creamed goat cheese with herbs or Italian Gorgonzola cheese.
- 1/3 cup fresh Italian parsley chopped fine or 12 or so fresh sage leaves.
- 2 tbsp pine nuts
- Sea salt and cracked pepper.
- Extra virgin olive oil to drizzle on top.
Preparation:
- Spread cheese over top of surface of risen dough.
- Add remaining ingredients, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Drizzle top with extra virgin olive oil.
- Bake on greased or parchment covered cookie sheet for 20-25 minutes or until golden.
Yields: 1 Focaccia
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 25 minutes (approx)
Live Long and Mangia!