Rosemary and Olive Focaccia: A Nutritious Homemade Bread

Focaccia is a classic Italian bread that’s light, fluffy, and infused with fragrant olive oil. This Rosemary and Olive Focaccia recipe is a must-try for anyone who enjoys homemade bread with a Mediterranean touch.

Ingredients:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
• 1 ¼ cups warm water
• ¼ cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• ½ cup black or green olives, sliced
• Coarse sea salt for topping

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix warm water and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. Add flour, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for about an hour or until doubled in size.
5. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a baking sheet or pan.
6. Stretch the dough into the pan and press dimples into the surface with your fingers.
7. Drizzle olive oil over the dough, sprinkle with rosemary, olives, and coarse sea salt.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and fragrant.
9. Let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Serve warm with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or alongside Creamy Tomato Soup for the perfect meal pairing.