How to Make a Focaccia Garden
This bread isn’t only more delicious than regular focaccia, but it’s more fun to make and prettier too!
How to Make a Focaccia Garden
Makes about 10 servings.
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (no more than 110°F degrees)
- 2 tablespoons yeast
- 3/4 cup olive oil, divided
- 4 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 6 fresh garlic cloves, minced
Place water & yeast in a mixing bowl. Cover for a few minutes and allow to sit in a warm place until a bit foamy to activate the yeast.
Place the bowl on the mixer stand and using the flat beater attachment, mix in 2 cups of the flour, the sugar, and 1/2 a cup of the olive oil. Beat for about 30 seconds and then sprinkle in the salt. Then slowly add in the other two cups of flour while the mixer is on low speed. The dough will “hug” the flat beater. Let the mixer work the dough for a few minutes.
Remove from the mixer stand and cover the dough and let sit in a warm place for 30 minutes or until the dough has about doubled in size. If you’d like to make the dough the day before you need it just keep it in the fridge overnight to rise.
Stir the minced garlic into the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil.
Preheat oven to 450°F.
Punch down the risen dough and then coat with the garlic & olive oil mixture,
Spread the dough out onto a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper and let it rise in a warm place again for another 30 minutes..
Poke the top of the focaccia with the tips of your fingers. Create your garden design on top of the bread with your favorite toppings.
Baking time may vary depending on how thick your bread is; but, it usually takes about 10 minutes to bake.
Topping Ideas
- Chives & chive blossoms
- Mushrooms
- Edible flowers
- Parsley
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Dill
- Tomatoes
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Basil
- Sweet peppers
- Olives, drained
- Onions
- Asparagus
- Pepperoni
- Thinly sliced purple or red potatoes
- Green peppers
- Thinly sliced carrots
Notes
- If you use edible flowers, they will brown in the hot oven. If you’d rather they keep their lovely colors, put them in place after the bread is done baking.
- For a shiny finished product, carefully brush the top with olive oil.
- Serve hot plain or with your favorite dipping sauce (such as balsamic & olive oil) or butter.
