• Nothing beats the smell of fresh Italian flatbread (a.k.a. focaccia) baking. Drizzle with olive oil, add your favourite toppings, and enjoy! As the Italians say — “Delizioso!”

    Serves: 4-6
    Cooking Time: 1 hour + proofing

    Ingredients

    • 450-500ml lukewarm water
    • 10 grams active dried yeast
    • 1 tsp sugar
    • 500g bread flour
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

    Instructions

    1

    COMBINE water, yeast and sugar together in a bowl. Mix until dissolved.

    2

    COMBINE the bread flour and salt together in a bowl and mix to combine

    3

    POUR the yeast mixture over the bread flour and gently mix using a wooden spoon, until all incorporated.

    4

    POUR over olive oil and mix to combine. Scrape the sides down and cover for 30 minutes.

    5

    WET your hands with water and lift your dough from the bottom and fold into the middle. Repeat this on all 4 sides, bringing the dough to the center. do this at least 3 times. Cover and allow to rest for another 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, repeat the process again.

    6

    GENIOUSLY grease a square baking tray with olive oil and transfer the dough into the pan. Drizzle with more olive oil and massage into the sides to fit the tray. Cover for 30 minutes. Dimple the focaccia and drizzle water over using your fingertips along with some salt

    7

    BAKE at 220°C for 30–40 minutes, or until the top is deeply golden. Cool for 15 minutes.

    ALSO SEE: Plaited breakfast bread

    Plaited breakfast bread

    Feature image: Pexels