Ina Garten Focaccia Bread Recipes

FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Combine the warm water, yeast and sugar in a small bowl. Put the bowl in a warm, not hot or cool, place until the yeast is bubbling and aromatic, at least 15 minutes.
• In the bowl of a mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, 1/2 cup olive oil and the yeast mixture on low speed. Once the dough has come together, continue to knead for 5 to 6 minutes on a medium speed until it becomes smooth and soft. Give it a sprinkle of flour if the dough is really sticky and tacky.
• Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly floured surface, then knead it by hand 1 or 2 times. Again, give it another sprinkle of flour if the dough is really sticky and tacky.
• Coat the inside of the mixer bowl lightly with olive oil and return the dough to the bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap and put it in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, at least 1 hour.
• Coat a jelly roll pan with the remaining 1/2 cup olive oil. (Chef's Note: This may seem excessive, but focaccia is an oily crusted bread. This is why it is soooooooooo delicious!).
• Put the dough onto the jelly roll pan and begin pressing it out to fit the size of the pan. Turn the dough over to coat the other side with the olive oil. Continue to stretch the dough to fit the pan. As you are doing so, spread your fingers out and make finger holes all the way through the dough. (Chef's Note: Yes, this is strange. But when the dough rises again it will create the characteristic craggy looking focaccia. If you do not make the actual holes in the dough, the finished product will be very smooth.)
• Put the dough in the warm place until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour. While the dough is rising a second time, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Liberally sprinkle the top of the focaccia with some coarse sea salt and lightly drizzle a little oil on top. Bake the dough until the top of the loaf is golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the focaccia from the oven and let it cool before cutting and serving.
• Oh baby!

FOCACCIA BREAD

Steps:

• Place yeast, flour, salt sugar and rosemary in mixer with bread hook attachment. Make sure that salt is separated by flour. Start mixer on 1st speed to combine dry ingredients. Then, gradually add water, and then add olive oil. Stop mixer to check dough. All the flour should be incorporated. Mix more if necessary. Allow dough to rise again until it has doubled in size (about 30 to 40 minutes). Punch down dough with your hands. Roll dough out with a rolling pin so that it fits the size of the sheet pan, and is about 3/4 inch thick. Lightly oil top of dough with olive oil. Let dough rise again for about 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Press dimples into dough with fingers and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake until done (about 20 to 30 minutes or golden brown).

COARSE SALT AND ROSEMARY FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Combine the yeast and warm water in a bowl, add 3 tablespoons olive oil to the water and let soak for 5 minutes. Mix the flour, 1 tablespoon salt and half the rosemary together in a bowl. Using a wooden spoon, pour the water yeast mixture into the flour and stir together to form a well mixed dough. Scrap the dough out onto a floured work surface and begin to work the dough with the heel of your hands, pulling and folding the dough as you push and pull.
• Work the dough for 10 minutes, put the dough into a lightly oiled bowl and then let rise at room temperature for 1 1/2 hours. Lightly oil a cookie sheet pan, spread the dough out in the pan and pull the dough evenly into the corners. Let the dough rise again for 1 hour more. Poke the surface of the dough with the tip of a your finger and drizzle the remaining olive oil over the surface of the dough, sprinkle with the coarse salt and remaining rosemary and bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes. Check the bottom of the focaccia to ensure it is not burning and bake an additional 5 minutes.

GARDEN FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups warm water with the honey and yeast in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Stir on very low speed until the yeast is dissolved. Increase the speed to low and let run until the yeast is bubbly. If the yeast is not foamy, it is not active and must be replaced. Turn off the mixer and allow the yeast mixture to sit for 2 minutes.
• Add 1/2 cup oil and a couple large spoonfuls of the flour to the bowl. Mix on very low speed. Increase the speed to low and add the remaining flour, a couple of spoonfuls at a time. Continue to beat on low speed for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Increase the speed to medium-low and beat for another 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the salt and remaining 2 tablespoons warm water and mix for 1 more minute.
• Grease a large bowl with olive oil, just to coat. Add the dough to the bowl, then cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and allow to proof in a warm area until the dough is twice its size, 60 to 90 minutes.
• Drizzle the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil onto a parchment paper-lined half-sheet pan. Transfer the dough to the pan. Stretch the dough into the corners, pressing down with your fingers to make dimples that don't pierce all the way through. Flip the dough over a couple of times to ensure an even coating of oil. Allow the dough to sit for 90 minutes for a second proof.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Press your fingers into the dough once more to form dimples, then brush the focaccia with the melted butter. Arrange the vegetables and herbs to create a picture or pattern of your choice, from a garden to a sun-even a house. You can use the herbs as stems and the olives, tomatoes, peppers, onions and capers to form flowers. Lightly press the vegetables into the dough, being careful to not collapse the air. Sprinkle the top with a generous amount of sea salt. Bake for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 400 degrees F and continue to bake until the focaccia is golden, about 10 minutes longer.
• Allow to cool in the pan for 30 minutes before serving.

GARDEN FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Combine 1 1/2 cups flour with 1 cup room-temperature water and 1/4 teaspoon yeast in a medium bowl. Stir to make a shaggy dough, making sure there are no dry pockets of flour or yeast. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until there are large air bubbles on the surface and the dough has risen, about 4 hours.
• Combine 3/4 cup warm water with 3 tablespoons olive oil and the honey in a liquid measuring cup; stir to dissolve the honey. Combine the remaining 2 1/2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons yeast and the kosher salt in a large bowl; stir to combine and make a well in the center. Pour the honey mixture into the well. Add the risen dough mixture and stir until combined. It will be very stretchy, but continue stirring until a shaggy dough forms, making sure there are no dry pockets of flour or yeast. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until more than doubled in size and there are air bubbles on the surface, 1 to 2 hours.
• Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray, then pour 3 tablespoons olive oil in the middle. Oil your hands, then run your hands down the inside of the bowl and remove the dough (it will deflate). Transfer the dough to the baking sheet and turn to coat in the oil. Shape the dough into a 12-inch-long oval, gently tucking the edges under if the dough spreads too much. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size and there are air bubbles on the surface, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 425˚ F. Uncover the dough, then press with your fingertips to create dimples in the surface. Top with vegetables and herbs in a garden pattern.
• Drizzle the dough and vegetables with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and gently rub it into the vegetables, pressing them into the dough. Sprinkle with flaky salt. Bake until the bottom of the focaccia has browned, the top is golden and the vegetables are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool at least 15 minutes on the baking sheet.

GARLIC CIABATTA BREAD (INA GARTEN BAREFOOT CONTESSA BACK TO BASI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place the first five ingredients in a food processor and chop until finely minced. In a medium saute pan heat the olive oil over low heat and then add the garlic mixture. Cook on low for 3-5 minutes until garlic is tender - do not let the garlic brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Cut the bread in half, horizontally and spoon the oil-garlic mixture on the bottom half. Butter the top half of bread and then place the two halves together again. Wrap in tin foil and put on sheet pan.
• Bake at 350 for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the tin foil and discard and bake for an additional 5 minutes. slice crosswise and serve warm.