French-inspired Focaccia

Ingredients

While the original Italian focaccia is typically seasoned with olive oil, salt, and herbs, this French-inspired version incorporates French herbs and flavors, such as thyme, rosemary, and herbes de Provence. The bread is also baked to a slightly lighter and fluffier texture, reminiscent of French baguettes. We alse have the original recipe for Focaccia, so you can check it out.

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt 1 tsp salt
• 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water
• 60ml (¼ cup) olive oil 60ml (¼ cup) olive oil
• 2 tbsp herbes de Provence 2 tbsp herbes de Provence
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• Sea salt, for sprinkling Sea salt, for sprinkling

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
3. 3.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
6. 6.
   Punch down the dough and transfer it to a greased baking sheet. Gently press and stretch the dough to form a rectangular shape.
7. 7.
   Sprinkle the herbes de Provence, thyme leaves, and chopped rosemary evenly over the dough. Press them lightly into the surface.
8. 8.
   Drizzle the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
9. 9.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the focaccia turns golden brown.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Olive oil — Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
• Herbes de Provence — If you can't find herbes de Provence, you can make your own blend using dried thyme, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, and savory.
• Fresh herbs — If fresh herbs are not available, you can use dried herbs, but reduce the quantity by half.

Tips & Tricks

• For a crispier crust, place a pan of water in the oven while baking the focaccia to create steam.
• Experiment with different toppings such as caramelized onions, cherry tomatoes, or olives to add extra flavor.
• Serve the focaccia warm with a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a touch of sweetness.

Serving advice

Serve the French-inspired focaccia as an appetizer or alongside a cheese platter. It pairs well with a glass of red wine or a refreshing French rosé.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some fresh thyme leaves and a pinch of sea salt on top of the baked focaccia. Cut it into rectangular slices and serve on a wooden board or a rustic platter.