Rosemary Italian Focaccia Barese 

 

Traditional Italian Focaccia bread naturally delicious but this Rosemary spin is a great way to add a boost of flavor to an already flavorful Italian bread.   

 

Total Prep Time: 3 hours 

Bake Time: 15-20 mins

 

Ingredients For Bread

 

• 2 1/2 Cups of all purpose flour

• 5.5 oz of flowered boiled potatoes 

• 1 tsp. of instant dry yeast

• 3/4 Cup room temp water (68 to 77°F (20 to 25°C))

• 1 tsp. finely chopped rosemary (For Topping)

• 1 tsp. finely chopped Thyme (For Topping)

• 1 tsp. finely chopped sage (For Topping)

 

Ingredients Topping

 

• 1 medium vine ripe tomato

• 1 tsp. finely chopped rosemary

• pinch of salt

 

Instruction For Potatoes

 

Wash and peel the potatoes and let them boil till they are soft, and mash them together with a fork and let cool. 

 

4 Steps of Instruction for Bread

 

Step 1:

 

1. First, sift your flour into a bowl and then add in the salt

2. Add the potatoes into the flour mixture and mix together 

 

 

Note: it's easier to do this with your hands.

 

1. Next, you will add the water and mix the flour mixture by hand until you get a rough dough

2. Then you will transfer the dough to a working station and you're going to knead the dough for 5 mins straight

 

Note: To test if it's been kneading enough pinch the dough and if the pinch marks bounce back. THEN YOU'RE READY TO GO! 

 

1. Then you will transfer the dough to a bowl

2. Dust it with some flour and cover it with a damp towel and set aside in a cool place for 90 mins to allow the dough to rise

 

Step 2:

 

1. After the dough has risen, dust your working area with flour and transfer the dough for the next step

2. Gently flatten the bread with your hands to obtain a round shape, and then fold the bread into thirds like an envelope

 

Note: Do this process only once.

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1. Then take the envelope shape and take both hands on both sides of the envelope and fold back the dough until it forms a ball shape again

2. And just spin the dough on the work surface using your hands to make the perfect ball

3. Next, you will place the dough ball back into the bowl

4. dust again with flour and cover and let it rise again for another 30 mins

 

Step 3:

 

1. After the 30 mins are up, transfer the dough ball onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and dusted with flour 

2. Then stretch out the dough to the desired shape

3. Next, poke the top of the dough with your fingers to give the traditional Focaccia dimples. 

4. Now take your marinated tomatoes and press them into the dimples to give its traditional rustic look

5. Don't forget to drizzle some of the tomato juice on top of the bread to give it extra flavor

6. Then finally cover the dough and let rise for another 30 mins

 

Final Step:

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1. Once the final 30 mins are up

2. Bake in the oven at 430 F for 15-20 mins or until you achieved desired golden brown color

 

Instruction For Topping

 

1. Cut your tomato into quarters and place into a bowl

2. Next, add your rosemary and salt and allow the tomatoes to marinate until the dough is ready to bake

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