I love to try new recipes. I love finding things that I have not tried before and branching out to taste new flavors. I would say that on an average week, I make a given 5 new recipes…sometimes more, rarely less. The internet recipe sites, all of the published cookbooks and magazines out there and all of the amazing food blogs tempt me on a daily basis to try something new.
With that being said, I also have my good old standbys. The recipes that are tried and true and that I keep in rotation on a monthly basis. These are the recipes that I grew up on or that I have made so often I can practically create it in my sleep. One of my favorite things is when I find a recipe that is new and it is so good it creeps into the monthly rotation. Without any history with me at all, it is a recipe that I know instantly I will be making again, and again, and again.
As luck would have it, I found a new keeper yesterday. The recipe is as simple as they come, but the variations are endless. The recipe? A very basic foccacia bread recipe that I found on Recipezaar. I make bread all the time but for some reason I have always stayed clear of foccacia. It is not because I don’t like it. It is simply because I thought I could buy a better version at a bakery than I could make at home. I found out yesterday that my thoughts were wrong. The bread I made was simple, yet as delicious, than the versions I could find at a bakery around here. In fact, I am going to venture to say it was actually better than the bread we can find around here, mostly because it was fresh from the oven.
What is it about this bread recipe that makes it worthy enough to be a standby in my house? Well…for starters it is simple and quick to make. Next, it is extremely versatile. I was inspired by the clover rolls I made last week and just used Kosher salt and cracked pepper as my topping, but the possibilities are endless. Try adding some olives, sundried tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, parmesan, rosemary, caramelized onions… you get the point. Make a thicker loaf and you can slice it down the middle to make a delicious Italian sandwich.
For a basic Italian bread recipe…one that would be a great addition to almost any meal, welcome this delicious recipe into your rotation.
Focaccia Bread
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 dash ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Toppings of your choice
Instructions
- n large bowl, stir together flour, salt, sugar, yeast, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, basil, and black pepper.
- Mix in vegetable oil and water.
- When dough has pulled together, turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.
- Lightly oil a large bowl, place dough in bowl, and turn to coat with oil.
- Cover with damp cloth and let rise in warm place 25 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Punch dough down, place on greased baking sheet.
- Pat dough into 1/2-inch thick rectangle (doesn't have to be perfect).
- Using your knuckle, make indentations in the dough about 1/2-inch apart, then prick dough with fork.
- Brush top with olive oil, then sprinkle with your choice of toppings.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes until golden brown.
Mmmmmm… bread. I love bread but have never actually made a loaf myself. I admire those who are able to make it. Looks delish!
Looks great! I love Focaccia sandwiches.
I made Sundried tomatoes amd Olive Focaccia,loved it.Now that you have basic recipe,you can add many toppings.Onions and garlic tastes with coarse salt thrown on top:))
Enjoy.
Wow, your foccacia looks so perfect! If only I could just have a little taste too 🙂
This looks fabulous! I’m going to try it next week – you have inspired me!
What a great basic bread recipe. I know this can be made in many variations since I make something similar and change the toppings and additions to go with the meal. I’m positive that your foccacia is better than anything you could buy.
It looks delicious! I like to sprinkle "fleur de sal" on top and sage… yummy…
This is so similar to a foccacia that I’ve done…and when you only have to let it rise for 25 minutes, it’s a keeper.
Any bread you make at home is almost guaranteed to be better than 99% of the breads being sold from any bakery. My favorite bread for a sandwich is left over Foccacia!
Welcome to the rotation is right! Yum!
Looks delicious – and not TOO hard for non-bakers like me. 🙂
Looks delish! And a perfect starting recipe for scaredy cat non-bread makers like me. 😀
This looks just as good if not better than the basket of bread I get in my favorite Italian restaurant. Oh how I would love to have this with my pasta dinner tonight.
Kristen, stop right now – how come you thought that the bakery would make better baked goods than you??? Not in a million years!
Your foccacia looks delicious! I’ve never tried my hand in foccacias – my rosemary is growing beautifully, time to use it for something! 🙂
I love foccacia. I don’t knead and wait for things to rise, though. Do you think I could do the beginning part in my bread maker and then transfer to the oven?
I love foccacia with caramelized onions and some parmesan on top!
Hi Kristen – your foccacia looks picture perfect! Yum!
Those new favourites are wonderful. Sometimes you know intantly that something new will be there for a long time to come.
Great, easy, fuss-free foccacia recipe.
OK, Kristin. I’ m doing it. I’m going to try and make bread for the first time in over 20 years and I’m using your recipe! Wish me luck.
Oh my gosh, I wish I had a piece of your foccacia right now. I just bought some extra virgin olive oil that I dunk it in too! Love this recipe!
I made Foccacia at least twice a week, but I have never tried to add some aromatics to it. It sounds divine.
oh foccacia is wonderful
and way to go with 5 new recipes a week. we all have staples but i think you doing 5 a week is such a great, even ambitious, number! i’m super impressed
I love focaccia but have only had bought. I am dying to give your recipe a go as I’m on a bread kick right now!
I’m only just getting started with bread making but find it so tremendously satisfying, this definitely sounds like one to try.
Picture perfect foccacia. Lovely!