Quick and dirty focaccia

Step 1

Mix dry, then mix in water. Rise 2 hrs to double. Drizzle EVOO into pan, pour into pan, rise 45 min by 50%. Oil surface, very lightly dimple, sprinkle with salt flakes, bake 25 min at 220°C / 425°F (200°C fan).

Step 2

Very sticky dough - Put the flour, yeast and salt in a bowl, mix to combine with a rubber spatula. Make a well in the centre, pour the warm water in then mix until you no longer see flour. It should be like a thick muffin batter - way too sticky and loose to knead.

Step 3

Rise #1 (2 hrs) - Cover with cling wrap then put in a very warm place to rise for 2 hours or until doubled in volume. (Note 4)

Step 4

Line pan - Use a 26.5 x 20 x 5cm (10.5 x 8 x 2") rectangle pan (metal, not glass or ceramic) or a 22cm/9″ square pan. Lightly grease with butter (not oil). Scrunch up a sheet of baking paper, un-scrunch then press into the pan, ensuring you have overhang to lift the focaccia out later. (Note 5)

Step 5

Dough in pan - Drizzle and spread 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil in the pan on the paper. Pour the dough batter in, then use 2 rubber spatulas to coax the dough out into the corners as best you can. Don't get too hung up on this, it will fill the pan as it rises.

Step 6

Rise #2 (45 min) - Cover with a cutting board (or similar - flat with some weight), then put in a very warm place for 45 minutes or until it rises by 50 - 70% (you should see some nice big bubbling on the surface). Halfway through, preheat oven.

Step 7

Preheat the oven to 220°C / 425°F (200°C fan-forced) with the oven rack in the middle.

Step 8

Drizzle 1 tbsp of olive oil across the surface. Rub a little oil on your fingertips then use your fingers to spread the oil lightly across the surface. (Note 6 for Toppings)

Step 9

LIGHT dimpling - Use your fingers to LIGHTLY press dimples into the surface of the dough, only pressing down about 1cm/0.4" into the dough, not all the way down like traditional focaccia else you will deflate the dough.

Step 10

Salt flakes - Sprinkle all over the surface.

Step 11

Bake for 25 minutes, rotating the pan at the 15 minute mark, until the surface is deep golden.

Step 12

Cool 10 minutes - Lift the focaccia out of the pan using the excess paper onto a cooling rack, then slide the paper out from underneath. Cool for 10 minutes then attack! Always best served warm.

Step 13

Bread basket - I cut into 4cm / 1.5" wide strips then each into 2 pieces. Appetiser or to nibble on with drinks - I cut them into smaller pieces (generous) 2-bite pieces. In every scenario, it's accompanied with a good extra virgin olive oil for dipping, sometimes with a swirl of aged balsamic vinegar. Also makes excellent cheese toasties and sandwiches!