Sharpen your baking skills with the Rosemary Focaccia bread recipe

Did you miss getting on the bread baking bandwagon during the lockdown? This easy Focaccia bread recipe will give you a head start. Check it out...

If you are a pizza crust lover, focaccia bread is perfect for you. This flat oven-baked Italian bread also goes by the name "pizza bianca" and is usually served as a side dish along with olive oil or along with pasta to sop up all the sauce. Check out this easy recipe that will have you feeling like a grade one baker in no time:

INGREDIENTS

1 1/3 cup warm water (about 110°F)

2 teaspoons sugar or honey

1 (0.25 ounce) package active-dry yeast

3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

2 teaspoons flaky sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling*

2 sprigs fresh rosemary

INSTRUCTIONS

Start by proofing the yeast. Add warm water and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough attachment, and stir to combine. Sprinkle the yeast on top of the water. Give the yeast a quick stir to mix it in with the water. Then let it sit for 5-10 minute until the yeast is foamy.

Knead the dough using any, your hands or a mixer set to low speed, keep adding flour, olive oil and salt gradually to the mix. Add flour if your mix is too sticky.

Remove dough from the mixing bowl, and use your hands to shape it into a ball. Grease the mixing bowl with olive oil or cooking spray, then place the dough ball back in the bowl and cover it with a damp towel. Place in a warm location and let the dough rise for 45-60 minutes, or until it has nearly doubled in size.

Now the dough needs to rise for a second time. For this turn the dough onto a floured surface, and roll it out into a large circle or rectangle until that the dough is about 1/2-inch thick. Cover the dough again with the damp towel, and let the dough continue to rise for another 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Transfer the dough to a large parchment-covered baking sheet (or press it into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish). Use your fingers to poke deep dents all over the surface of the dough. Drizzle a tablespoon or two of olive oil evenly all over the top of the dough, and sprinkle evenly with the fresh rosemary needles and sea salt.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until the dough is slightly golden and cooked through. Remove from the oven, and drizzle with a little more olive oil if desired. Slice, and serve warm.

(Recipe courtesy Gimme Some Oven)