Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Bread

Are you ready to indulge in the irresistible aroma of freshly baked Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Bread? This delectable treat is a blend of heavenly flavors, featuring savory minced garlic, aromatic rosemary, and a hint of thyme and black pepper.

The process starts by infusing high-quality olive oil with these tantalizing herbs, creating an oil that will elevate the bread’s taste to perfection. Then, in a large bowl, warm water, yeast, and honey come together, setting the stage for dough kneading and rising to achieve that soft interior and golden brown crust.

The recipe also offers variations and make-ahead tips, making it an ideal choice for any occasion. The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the use of top-notch ingredients. Each bite of this rosemary garlic focaccia is a burst of flavor, with the crispy exterior giving way to a soft and chewy inside.

The addition of roasted garlic takes the taste to another level, making it a perfect accompaniment for dinners, soups, and stews. Moreover, it’s an excellent choice for creating mouthwatering sandwiches. This focaccia is not just bread; it’s a culinary adventure that will elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 cup (235 ml) warm water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1/4 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• 2 1/2 cups (325 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  

Make the Dough:

STEP 1: In a skillet, mix olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and black pepper. Cook on low heat for 5-10 minutes until it smells good but before garlic browns. Set aside to cool.

STEP 2: In a big bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and honey. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of flour and 1/4 cup of the garlic-olive oil mix. Stir a few times and wait for 5 minutes.

STEP 3: Stir in the remaining 1 ½ cups of flour and salt. Transfer the dough to a floured board and knead 10 to 15 times until smooth.

STEP 4: Put the dough in a large oiled bowl, cover with a warm, damp towel, and let it rise for 1 hour in a warm area of your kitchen.

Bake the Bread:

STEP 1: After 1 hour, heat the oven to 450°F.

STEP 2: Use 2 tablespoons of the garlic-olive oil mix to grease a 9×13-inch baking sheet.

Transfer the dough to the sheet, press it down, and dimple the surface with your fingers.

STEP 3: Drizzle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of garlic-olive oil. Let it rise for 20 minutes.

STEP 4: Bake until golden brown, around 15-20 minutes. Cool the focaccia on a wire rack.