Delicious yeast flatbread is rich with the flavors of rosemary and olives. Plan ahead to allow time for the dough to rise. The dough may be made 8 hours in advance and refrigerated.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1-1/4-ounce package (2-1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1-1/4 teaspoons salt
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves plus whole rosemary leaves
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 1/2 pound Kalamata, Nicoise, or green Greek olives or a combination, pitted and cut into slivers (about 1 cup)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons coarse salt, or to taste
Preparation:
In the large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook stir together the yeast, the sugar, and 1-3/4 cups lukewarm water and proof the yeast mixture for 5 minutes, or until it is foamy .
Stir in 4-1/2 cups of the flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and knead the dough, scraping down the dough hook occasionally and adding as much of the remaining 1/2 cup flour as necessary to form a soft, slightly sticky dough, for 3 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turn it to coat it with the oil, and let it rise, covered, in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it is double in bulk.
Knead in the chopped rosemary, press the dough with lightly oiled hands into a well-oiled 15-1/2-by 10-1/2-inch jelly-roll pan, and let it rise, covered loosely, for 30 minutes. The dough may be made 8 hours in advance and kept covered and chilled.
Dimple the dough with your fingertips, making 1/4-inch-deep indentations, brush it with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and top it with the onion, the olives, the salt, and the whole rosemary leaves. Bake the focaccia in the bottom third of a preheated 400 degree F. oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until it is golden and cooked through. Transfer the focaccia to a rack, let it cool for 10 minutes, and serve it, cut into squares, warm or at room temperature.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Recipe Source: Best of Gourmet - 1992 (Conde Nast)
Reprinted with permission.
Stir in 4-1/2 cups of the flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and knead the dough, scraping down the dough hook occasionally and adding as much of the remaining 1/2 cup flour as necessary to form a soft, slightly sticky dough, for 3 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turn it to coat it with the oil, and let it rise, covered, in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it is double in bulk.
Knead in the chopped rosemary, press the dough with lightly oiled hands into a well-oiled 15-1/2-by 10-1/2-inch jelly-roll pan, and let it rise, covered loosely, for 30 minutes. The dough may be made 8 hours in advance and kept covered and chilled.
Dimple the dough with your fingertips, making 1/4-inch-deep indentations, brush it with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and top it with the onion, the olives, the salt, and the whole rosemary leaves. Bake the focaccia in the bottom third of a preheated 400 degree F. oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until it is golden and cooked through. Transfer the focaccia to a rack, let it cool for 10 minutes, and serve it, cut into squares, warm or at room temperature.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Recipe Source: Best of Gourmet - 1992 (Conde Nast)
Reprinted with permission.
