How to Make Focaccia Bread with Olives: Easy and Delicious Recipe

Focaccia bread, with its pillowy texture and irresistible aroma, is a true culinary delight. And when you add the salty, briny goodness of olives, you create a flavor combination that’s simply irresistible. This blog post will guide you through the process of making focaccia bread with olives, from start to finish, ensuring you bake a masterpiece that will impress your taste buds and leave you wanting more.

The Magic of Focaccia Bread

Focaccia bread is a flat, leavened Italian bread that’s known for its crispy crust and soft, airy interior. Its versatility lies in its ability to be enjoyed on its own, as a side for soups and salads, or even as a base for pizzas. The key to making a truly exceptional focaccia lies in the dough – a simple combination of flour, yeast, water, and salt.

Choosing the Right Olives

The olives you choose can significantly impact the flavor profile of your focaccia. Here are some popular options:

• Kalamata olives: These dark, briny olives offer a robust flavor that complements the bread beautifully.
• Green olives: These olives bring a milder, slightly tangy flavor to the bread.
• Cerignola olives: These large, fleshy olives provide a sweet and salty taste that’s perfect for focaccia.
• Mixed olives: For a diverse flavor profile, consider using a mix of olives, such as Kalamata, green, and Cerignola.

The Dough: The Foundation of Your Focaccia

The dough for focaccia is relatively simple to make. You’ll need:

• Flour: Use a high-protein flour, like bread flour, for a chewy texture.
• Yeast: Active dry yeast or instant yeast will work well.
• Water: Use lukewarm water for optimal yeast activation.
• Salt: Salt enhances the flavor and strengthens the gluten structure.
• Olive oil: Olive oil adds richness and moisture to the dough.

Instructions:

1. Combine the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. Activate the yeast: In a separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
3. Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture and stir until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Knead the dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
5. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
6. Punch down the dough: Gently punch down the dough to release the air.

Preparing Your Focaccia for Baking

Now that the dough has risen, it’s time to prepare it for baking.

1. Shape the dough: Place the dough on a lightly oiled baking sheet and press it out into a rectangle or square shape.
2. Dimpling the dough: Use your fingertips to create indentations all over the dough. These dimples will help the olive oil to penetrate the bread and create a beautiful crust.
3. Adding the olives: Arrange your chosen olives in the dimples, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
4. Second rise: Cover the focaccia with plastic wrap and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until it has risen slightly.
5. Drizzle with olive oil: Generously drizzle the focaccia with olive oil, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
6. Seasoning: Sprinkle the focaccia with salt, pepper, or other herbs like rosemary or thyme, according to your taste.

Baking Your Focaccia Bread with Olives

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Once the oven is preheated, bake the focaccia for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.

Serving and Enjoying Your Focaccia

Once the focaccia is baked, let it cool slightly before slicing and serving. You can enjoy it warm or at room temperature.

Tips for Baking the Perfect Focaccia

• Use high-quality ingredients: This will ensure the best possible flavor and texture.
• Don’t overwork the dough: Overworking the dough can make it tough.
• Let the dough rise properly: This is crucial for achieving a light and airy texture.
• Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet: Give the focaccia enough space to spread and bake evenly.
• Experiment with different toppings: Get creative with your toppings, adding herbs, vegetables, or even cheese.

Focaccia: A Culinary Masterpiece

Focaccia bread with olives is a delightful combination of flavor and texture. It’s a versatile bread that can be enjoyed in countless ways. With this guide, you have all the tools you need to bake a delicious focaccia that will impress your family and friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use store-bought dough for focaccia?

Yes, you can use store-bought dough for focaccia. Simply follow the instructions on the package for shaping and baking.

2. How long can I store focaccia bread?

Focaccia can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

3. What other toppings can I add to focaccia?

You can add a variety of toppings to focaccia, including herbs, vegetables, cheese, and even meats.

4. Can I make focaccia in a cast iron skillet?

Yes, you can make focaccia in a cast iron skillet. Simply preheat the skillet in the oven and then transfer the dough to the skillet for baking.

5. What is the best way to reheat focaccia?

To reheat focaccia, you can either bake it in a preheated oven or toast it in a toaster oven.