Focaccia Bread

a bread prepared with any sandwich filling

This Italian bread took its name from the Latin word focus, which means "hearth". The embers of hearth were where Focaccia was traditionally baked. Italian-style ingredients such as roasted peppers, olives, tomatoes etc will complement the dough to perfection.

Ingredients: 500 gm white flour, 2 tsp dry yeast, 2 tsp salt, 3 tbsp olive oil, 350ml water and loads of love and patience

Time taken: 10 min to make the dough

Rising Time: 1.5-2 hrs

Proving Time: 10 min

Baking Time: 15-20 min

Mix yeast in 250ml water for 5 min. Mix flour and salt and make a well and add yeast mixture along with remaining water. Mix into a sticky dough and move to the slightly floured surface. Keep adding water (1 tbsp if needed) to make a soft, elastic and shiny dough. Knead for 10mins.

Store the dough in a bowl covered with a tea towel for 1.5-2 hrs in a dry place. Once risen, divide the dough into two equal sized balls and chaff for 5 min.

Roll out the stromboli dough into two rectangles of equal length as it fits your oven tray. The thickness should be 3/4inch.

Now proceed with your choice of filling (cheese and basil sandwich) and bake in the preheated oven for 15 min at 200c. The bread will come out to be soft. If you wish to have it crispy then bake for further 10-15 min. Serve warm or store in a air tight container in the fridge.

Healthier Option: Use 250gm wholewheat flour along with 250gm of white flour. You can even reduce the oil to 1.5 tbsp.