Michaels Focaccia Bread Recipes

FOCACCIA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2-cup warm water and honey; let stand for 5 minutes. Add flour, 1/4 cup oil, salt and remaining 3/4-cup water; mixing until smooth (dough will be wet). Scrape the sides of the bowl clean; cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes., Preheat oven to 425°. Brush a 13x9-in. baking pan with 1 tablespoon oil. Gently scrape dough directly into pan. With oiled hands, gently spread dough. If dough springs back, wait 10 minutes and stretch again. Make indentations in the dough with your fingers. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil; let rise until doubled in size, 30-40 minutes. , If desired, sprinkle with sea salt. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Cut into squares; serve warm.

MICHAEL'S FOCACCIA BREAD

Steps:

• 1. Dissolve honey in the warm water in a large bowl, then sprinkle yeast over the top. Let stand 5 minutes until the yeast softens and begins to foam. Stir in 1 Tbs kosher salt, 1 Tbs olive oil, onions, and 5 cups of flour until the dough comes together.
• 2. Knead on a well floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl and place dough in bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with damp cloth and let rise in warm place for 20 minutes or until doubled in size.
• 3. Preheat oven to 415 degrees. Place dough onto oiled baking sheet (I use a large cookie sheet). Use the tips of your fingers to make indentations all over the dough spaced about 1 inch apart. (This will take a bit of time because the dough is elastic and will spring back. Give it time and it will be worth it.)
• 4. Drizzle the focaccia with 3 Tbs olive oil. Sprinkle with the rosemary, Parmesan cheese and kosher salt. Let rise for 10 minutes. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Bread comes out thick and soft.
• 5. Alternate topping: Sometimes I use pizza sauce and pizza toppings for a yummy dinner.

FOCACCIA "GIANA"

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Oil 1 (11 by 17-inch) baking sheet.
• Pour 1/4 cup olive oil in mixing bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and rub with olive oil. Let dough come to room temperature. The dough will loosen and rise slightly in bowl. On a lightly floured work surface knead the dough lightly until smooth. Roll out the dough into a rectangular shape, about 12 by 10-inches. Brush off any excess flour and transfer to the oiled baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and let rise for about 15 to 20 minutes. Press your fingers into the dough to make evenly spaced indentations, brush with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with gray salt. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, the bread should be browned and crisp on the bottom. Remove from the oven and let cool to a warm room temperature.
• Meanwhile combine the sun-dried tomatoes, sherry vinegar, and olive oil in a blender. Blend until smooth and taste for salt and pepper.
• To assemble the sandwich:
• Slice the sheet of focaccia in half as if you are making 1 giant sandwich. Spread the top of the bread with the mayonnaise and the bottom with the sun-dried tomato dressing. Lay down a layer of each sliced meat and then a layer of provolone, followed by a layer of tomatoes. Season tomatoes with salt and pepper, top with the arugula and place the top half of the focaccia on top. Your 1 giant sandwich can now be sliced into individual sandwiches or bite sized squares.

FOCACCIA "GIANA"

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Oil 1 (11 by 17-inch) baking sheet.
• Pour 1/4 cup olive oil in mixing bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and rub with olive oil. Let dough come to room temperature. The dough will loosen and rise slightly in bowl. On a lightly floured work surface knead the dough lightly until smooth. Roll out the dough into a rectangular shape, about 12 by 10-inches. Brush off any excess flour and transfer to the oiled baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and let rise for about 15 to 20 minutes. Press your fingers into the dough to make evenly spaced indentations, brush with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with gray salt. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, the bread should be browned and crisp on the bottom. Remove from the oven and let cool to a warm room temperature.
• Meanwhile combine the sun-dried tomatoes, sherry vinegar, and olive oil in a blender. Blend until smooth and taste for salt and pepper.
• To assemble the sandwich:
• Slice the sheet of focaccia in half as if you are making 1 giant sandwich. Spread the top of the bread with the mayonnaise and the bottom with the sun-dried tomato dressing. Lay down a layer of each sliced meat and then a layer of provolone, followed by a layer of tomatoes. Season tomatoes with salt and pepper, top with the arugula and place the top half of the focaccia on top. Your 1 giant sandwich can now be sliced into individual sandwiches or bite sized squares.

THE EASIEST, BESTEST FOCACCIA BREAD EVER!!

Steps:

• Mix the yeast and water in a small bowl. Let proof for 10 minutes (until bubbles begin to form).
• In large bowl, stir together flour, salt, sugar, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, basil, and black pepper.
• Add the yeast mix and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients and combine.
• When dough has pulled together, turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.
• Lightly oil a large bowl, place dough in bowl, and turn to coat with oil.
• Cover with damp cloth and let rise in warm place 25 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Punch dough down, place on greased baking sheet.
• Pat dough into 1/2-inch thick rectangle (doesn't have to be perfect).
• Using your knuckle, make indentations in the dough about 1/2-inch apart, then prick dough with fork.
• Brush top with olive oil, then sprinkle with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
• Bake for 13-15 minutes until golden brown.

CLASSIC FOCACCIA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, kosher salt and yeast. Add the warm water to the flour mixture and stir until all the flour is incorporated and a sticky dough forms. (Expect a very wet dough; no kneading required.) Pour 2 tablespoons oil into a medium bowl. Transfer the dough to the bowl, turn to coat, and cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator to rest for at least 24 hours or for up to 2 days.
• When you're ready to bake, brush the inside of a 9-by-13-inch baking sheet with oil. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and transfer to the prepared pan. Using your hands, spread the dough out as much as possible, adding oil to the dough if needed to keep it from sticking. (Don't worry if the dough doesn't yet cover the full pan; it will once it relaxes and rises.) Place the dough in a warm place and let rise until about doubled in bulk. The rising time will vary considerably depending on the season. (In the summer, it may take only 20 minutes for the dough to warm up and rise; in the winter, it can take 1 hour or more.) When the dough is ready, it should be room temperature, spread out on the sheet and fluffy.
• Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Using your palms, pat down the focaccia to an even thickness of about 1 inch, then, using your fingertips, dimple the entire dough. Drizzle it with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle the entire surface of the focaccia evenly with the sea salt and herbs, if using.
• Bake, rotating once front to back, until the top is uniformly golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the focaccia on the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool, then slide out of the pan. Enjoy it hot. (Focaccia deteriorates in quality after the first day. If there is some left over, wrap it tightly in plastic and store at room temperature for another day. Day-old focaccia is delicious in soup.)