Easy No Knead Rosemary Focaccia
About this recipe
Who doesn't love fresh bread? I wish I had a lovely anecdote of waking up to the scent of freshly baked loaves wafting through the house, but truth be told, that wasnt really our vibe. However, that never deterred my deep affection for the simple pleasure of bread, especially when paired with an excessive amount of rich, salted butter (the fancy kind, of course).
Now, I like to consider myself somewhat of a baking whiz, but bread always intimidated me. The thought of kneading and proofing seemed like a daunting task. That is until I discovered the magic of no-knead rosemary focaccia with its ingenious baby starter, which effortlessly takes all the hard work out of the equation.
This recipe is a game-changer, perfect for both beginners and seasoned bakers alike. What's more, you don't even need a bread maker or stand mixer to whip up a batch of these delightful loaves. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you'll have a golden, fragrant focaccia that's begging to be torn apart and savored.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. While rosemary adds a fragrant touch, feel free to get creative with your toppings. Whether it's juicy cherry tomatoes, briny olives, or aromatic garlic, the choice is yours. Each bite is a delightful symphony of flavors and textures, guaranteed to satisfy even the most discerning palate.
And let's not forget its practicality. This focaccia is not only perfect for indulgent snacking but also makes a stellar addition to any sandwich. Picture it: pillowy soft bread, generously slathered with creamy spreads and piled high with your favorite fillings. It's a lunchtime game-changer that will have you eagerly counting down the minutes until your next meal.
In conclusion, no-knead rosemary focaccia is a true testament to the beauty of simplicity. With its effortless preparation and endless customization options, it's a recipe that's sure to become a staple in your kitchen. So go ahead, embrace the joy of baking and treat yourself to a slice (or two) of homemade perfection.
Focaccia FAQs
Does this recipe need a bread maker?
No, this can be made with just a bowl and fingers!
Can this focaccia recipe be used for pizzas?
This focaccia recipe can have loads of toppings and this could make a pizza!
Can I use fresh yeast in this focaccia?
Yes, fresh yeast would work for this.
Does self raising flour work instead of bread flour?
Bread Flour:
- Bread flour is a type of flour that is specifically designed for making yeast-based bread. It has a higher protein content, typically around 12-14%, compared to other types of flour. This high protein content helps to create gluten, which gives bread its structure and texture.
- Bread flour is ideal for recipes that require a strong, chewy texture, such as artisan bread, pizza dough, and bagels.
- It does not contain any leavening agents like baking powder or baking soda, so it relies on added yeast for leavening.
Self-Rising Flour:
- Self-rising flour is a pre-mixed blend of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. It is designed to streamline the baking process by eliminating the need to measure and add these ingredients separately.
- Self-rising flour is commonly used in recipes that require a light and fluffy texture, such as biscuits, pancakes, and quick breads.
- Since it already contains baking powder, self-rising flour is not suitable for yeast-based recipes like bread. Using self-rising flour in place of bread flour in a yeast bread recipe would result in a dense and heavy loaf, as the leavening agents in the self-rising flour would not be sufficient to properly rise the dough.
Ingredients
Baby Starter
- 180g strong white bread flour
- 1 tbsp dried instant yeast
- 115ml warm water
Dough
- 265g strong white bread flour
- 1 1/2 tsp dried instant yeast
- 250ml warm water
- 40g olive oil
Topping
- fresh rosemary sprigs
- 50g olive oil
- flaky sea salt
Ingredients
Baby Starter
- 6.35 oz strong white bread flour
- 1 tbsp dried instant yeast
- 4 fl oz warm water
Dough
- 9.35 oz strong white bread flour
- 1 1/2 tsp dried instant yeast
- 8.45 fl oz warm water
- 1.4 oz olive oil
Topping
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1.75 fl oz olive oil
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
Baby Starter
- Combine all the ingrediants for the baby starter and mix well until there are no visible lumps. Cover in clingfilm and leave in the fridge for a minimum for 12 hours.
Foccacia
- In a large bowl, combine the 265g strong white bread flour, 1 1/2 tsp dried instant yeast, 250ml warm water, 40g olive oil, and all of the Baby Starter.
- Stir until just combined. The dough will be very wet and sticky - but don't add flour! This is exactly what were looking for.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and let the dough rise for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, wet your hands and gently stretch and fold each corner of the dough into the center.
- Cover and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Then repeat the fold and tuck process again and allow the dough to rise for another 30 minutes
- After the 30 minutes, transfer the dough to a well-oiled and lined deep baking tray, dont stretch the dough to fit the pan.
- Cover the tray with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and let the dough rise for 2 hours.
- While the dough is in its final rise, preheat your oven to 220°C (430°F).
- After the 2-hour rise, add your rosemary to the olive oil and spoon onto the dough.
- Wet your fingers to dimple the surface of the dough then sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the focaccia is golden brown and crisp on the edges.
- Allow the focaccia to cool slightly in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and serve as desired.
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