The Gourmet Mama

I gained a love for focaccia bread back when I was 16 and had the time to knead, let rise, knead and let rise. My original recipe for focaccia took about 4-5 hours to make and you really had to plan ahead . . . something that rarely works now that I’m a work at home mom of two little dynamos!

Enter a new focaccia . . . super delicious and way faster than my previous version! This one can be done in an hour, though if you want to make sure that it fluffs up a lot more, you can let it rise more in the final stage. Enjoy!

One Hour Focaccia

Makes one large bread

2 3/4 c. flour

1 c. lukewarm water

2 Tblsp. yeast

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 Tblsp. olive oil

2 Tblsp. Parmesan cheese (this is totally optional, it just makes the bread extra yummy)

Salt

Mix yeast and warm water in a bowl and let sit for five minutes.

Meanwhile, mix the flour, 1 tsp. salt and sugar with garlic powder and oregano in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle.

Stir the oil into the yeast mixture, pour into the flour and mix until smooth.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Let sit for 10 min.

Knead the dough briefly again, then spread out on a baking sheet. Let sit for 10 min. Poke it all over with your fingers, then stab with a fork all over the bread.

Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with cheese or salt.

Turn the oven to 350º and put the bread in. It will rise more with the heating oven. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Focaccia bread is great with any meal, or use on its own, dipped in a plate of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.