Classic homemade focaccia bread flavored with dried herbs.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: Not specified
  • Cook time: Not specified
  • Total time: Not specified
  • Yield: 6
  • Category: Breads
  • Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

For the dough

  • 2.5 cups bread flour
  • 1.25 tsp instant yeast [or 2.25 tsp of dry active yeast]
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 cup warm water [110-115 f degrees]

To knead

  • extra flour
  • 2 tsp + 1.5 tbsp olive oil (1.5 tbsp to cover the dough in the bowl after kneading)

To sprinkle

  • thyme or any herb of choice
  • olive oil
  • sea salt

Method

  1. In a bowl mix together bread flour, salt, sugar, yeast * [ read notes above if using active dry yeast ], dried thyme, dried basil and olive oil.
  2. Add warm water slowly and mix till the dough starts coming together.
  3. Transfer the dough on to your working surface which has been floured well.
  4. Put some flour on your hands and start kneading the dough, after 2-3 minutes the dough will become little smooth.
  5. Apply 1/2 tsp oilve oil on one side and knead. Apply 1/2 tsp of oil on the other side as well and knead.
  6. Keep kneading for 7-8 minutes [apply a tsp of oil more in between] till dough is smooth and pliable. It should spring back when poked.
  7. Transfer the dough into a bowl and cover it with 1.5 tbsp of olive oil.
  8. Cover the dough with aluminium foil or cling sheet and keep it in a warm place and let it rise for around 1-1.5 hours.
  9. After the dough has risen, transfer it onto to 13X9 baking pan and flatten it using your fingers.
  10. Shape the dough and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
  11. After 15 minutes drizzle some olive oil, spread to cover the entire surface.
  12. Using your fingers make holes in the dough, it's called dotting the bread.
  13. Don't make shallow wells, go all the way till your fingers touch the pan. Keep poking till the dough has dimples all over.
  14. Now cover at keep it a warm place for 30-45 minutes for 2nd rising.
  15. Preheat the oven at 475 F degrees.
  16. After the dough has risen, sprinkle thyme or any herb of your choice and drizzle very little olive oil all over again.
  17. Sprinkle some sea-salt crystals [optional]
  18. Bake the bread at 475 F degrees for 15 minutes till it's nice golden brown in color.
  19. Take it out from the oven, brush some olive oil on top while it's still warm and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  20. Cut into slices and enjoy the bread

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.