NIGEL SLATER'S OLIVE AND PARSLEY FOCACCIA

Nigel Slater's Olive and Parsley Focaccia image

Focaccia is about the easiest of all breads to make, even easier than Recipe #194745, which can be fussy about timing. It needs a little kneading, but that's easy if you have a stand mixer (and not much harder without). And it's ready to eat in about 2 hours. Adapted from a recipe on the UK Guardian website.

Provided by DrGaellon

Time 2h10m

Yield 15 3-inch squares, 15 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 lb bread flour (3-4 cups) or 1 lb all-purpose flour (3-4 cups)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons yeast (7 grams)
13 1/2 ounces warm water (1 1/2 cups plus 3 tbsp)
cornmeal, for the pan
3/4 cup green olives or 3/4 cup black olives, pits removed then roughly chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
4 sprigs thyme, leaves only
sea salt

Steps:

Combine the flour, salt and yeast in a large bowl and stir with a fork, or use a stand mixer with paddle attachment and spin briefly on low to combine.
The water should be just about body temperature - 98-100°F Add the water a little at a time until fully incorporated. Add more flour if needed; the proper consistency should be sticky when poked with a dry, unfloured finger, but the dough should come off the skin easily.
Knead on a dry floured work surface for five minutes (or change the paddle attachment to the dough hook and knead on high in the stand mixer).
Oil a large bowl and turn the kneaded dough into it. Turn the dough over once to coat all sides with oil. Drape a clean towel over the bowl and set it in a warm place to rise until it has doubled in size, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Prepare a 10x13" baking pan by brushing the inside with oil, then scattering a little bit of cornmeal (not enough to fully coat the surface). Spread the dough into the pan; it does not need to fill the pan completely, but it should be an even thickness. Cover again with your clean towel and let rise in a warm place another 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425°F Combine olives, olive oil, garlic, parsley and thyme in a small bowl. When dough is risen, poke 15-20 holes in the surface with a floured finger. Spoon the topping over the surface, being sure to get some into the holes. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt (I like Maldon).
Bake 25-30 minutes until light golden-brown. Drizzle with additional olive oil if desired. Transfer to a rack and cool 5 minutes, then serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 146.4, Fat 4.1, SaturatedFat 0.6, Sodium 281.6, Carbohydrate 23.8, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 0.1, Protein 3.5