Spring Focaccia
Why I Love This Recipe
FEATURING: Onions, asparagus, peppers and carrots (or any other vegetable of your choice).
Here is a simple recipe that amazes every time and that has now become a classic Spring celebration treat!
Ingredients You'll Need
DOUGH
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons sugar (or agave syrup)
2 1/4 teaspoons instant dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/3 cups lukewarm water about 110F
1 tablespoon olive oil
TOPPING (optional)
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- A few asparagus (I like to use them whole but I also cut one with a Y-peeler to create long green blades of grass)
- 1/2 grated carrot (I like to use a Y-peeler to create long orange blades of grass)
- 1/2 sweet pepper, cut in long or medium strips
- A few pinches of sea salt
- A few pinches of nigella seeds (black cumin) OR 2 sprigs of rosemary or other dried herbs of your choice
- A few bay leaves
Directions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, dry yeast and salt.
Add the water and olive oil, then stir everything together with a spatula (or wooden spoon) until the mixture starts to stick together. Transfer the dough to a work surface.
Knead with your hands (or use a food processor with dough hooks) for about 5-10 minutes until a smooth dough forms. (If the dough is too sticky, add more flour but try to use as little flour as possible if you want a fluffy focaccia).
Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl.
Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and place it somewhere warm and/or without a breeze (I usually put the dough in my oven if it's not hot) and let the dough rise for 45-60 minutes, or until the dough has almost doubled in size.
Spread the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a large rectangle (or circle) until the dough is about 1/2 inch thick (in width: approx. 9 x 13 inches or slightly less ). Place in an oiled pan or large cookie sheet, making sure to stretch it into the corners with your hands. Cover the dough on the baking sheet and let the dough continue to rise for another 20 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (about 10 minutes before the dough has finished rising).
Press holes in the focaccia with the back of a wooden spoon or with your fingers. Then add the toppings you want to your focaccia to decorate it (see the photo for inspiration).
Drizzle evenly adding 1-2 tbsp olive oil on top of the dough and sprinkle with salt.
Bake the focaccia in the oven for 20 minutes or until the pastry is lightly browned and cooked through. Remove from the oven and drizzle with a little olive oil if desired.
Cut it into pieces and serve it hot.
