How To Make Authentic Focaccia

Ever wondered how to make authentic focaccia?  This is a traditional Italian recipe and is exactly how modern-day Italian focaccia made in homes all over Italy.  I’ve been using this recipe, given to me by good friend Valeria, for several years now.  It gets easier – and better – with practise!

Ingredients

500ml tepid water

500g    bread flour

75g      instant potato powder

1tsp     salt

25g      olive oil

7g        dried yeast / 20g fresh yeast

Method

1. In a bowl, mix the flour, potato powder, salt and yeast
2. Add olive oil
3. Start to mix the dough, adding the water gradually
4. The mixture will be very loose and sticky. Keep working the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic – at least 5 minutes
5. Line & grease a deep baking pan
6. Place the dough into the pan and gently stretch to the corners
7. Cover with a damp tea towel and leave to ‘rest’ for 2 hours.
8. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees
9. Add your topping to the bread – rosemary and salt or halved cherry tomatoes and oregano for example.
10. Drizzle generously with olive oil
11. Bake in the oven for approximately 25 minutes until golden brown.
12. Allow to cool on a rack but it tastes DELICIOUS eaten warm!