Okay, guys, so today I tried making focaccia for the first time. It was surprisingly easy. I didn’t expect it to be, but I really wanted to try.
First, I grabbed all the ingredients. You really don’t need much: just flour, water, salt, yeast, and olive oil. That’s it. Five simple things you probably already have in your kitchen. I used some fancy high-protein bread flour because I saw somewhere online that it gives better results, but I think regular all-purpose flour would work too.
Then I started mixing. I activated the yeast in some warm water with a bit of sugar, you know, to get it all bubbly and happy. While that was going, I mixed the flour and salt in a big bowl. Once the yeast was ready, I poured it into the flour mixture along with a generous amount of olive oil. And I mean generous – like half a cup. I used a good quality olive oil because, well, it’s the star of the show here.
After that, I mixed everything together. At first, I used a spoon, and then I got my hands in there. I folded the dough onto itself a bunch of times. It was pretty sticky, but that’s how it’s supposed to be, I guess. Then I put the dough in a well-oiled pan. I drizzled some more olive oil on top, because why not? And I let it sit there for a few hours to rise.
When it was time to bake, I preheated my oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven was heating up, I dimpled the dough with my fingers, making those classic focaccia indentations. It felt kind of fun, like playing with Play-Doh. I sprinkled some sea salt on top for that extra flavor.
I baked it for about 20-25 minutes until it was golden brown and looked absolutely delicious. The smell in my kitchen was amazing, let me tell you.
When I took it out, I let it cool for a bit before cutting into it. The outside was perfectly crispy, and the inside was soft and airy. It was so good. Honestly, it tasted way better than I expected for my first try. It’s so easy and the taste was delicious, I think I might start making this all the time.
- Flour: I used bread flour, but all-purpose should work.
- Water: Just regular tap water, lukewarm.
- Salt: Sea salt for the win.
- Yeast: Active dry yeast, the usual kind.
- Olive Oil: Use a good one, it makes a difference.
Simple Steps I Followed:
- Activate yeast.
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Combine wet and dry.
- Fold dough.
- First rise in an oiled pan.
- Dimple and add salt.
- Bake at 450F until golden.
So that’s it. My first focaccia adventure. It was quick, easy, and the result was so satisfying. If you’re thinking about trying it, just go for it. It’s totally worth it.