There’s a good chance you’ve seen focaccia bread art circling around the world wide web, and this is a trend that involves fresh-baked bread, fresh vegetables, and herbs, so count us in. Not sure where to start but want to join the party? We can help! Let’s get started.
What is Focaccia Bread?
(image via: jessica gavin)
Focaccia is a flat, leavened, oven-baked bread that is similar to pizza crust in both taste and texture, in fact, in some places, it’s known as “pizza bianca”. There is really no wrong way to serve focaccia bread as it can be served as a side, as sandwich bread, it can be round, square, rectangular, and for the sake of what we’re talking about today, it can be served as an actual piece of art complete the whole garden on top.
Making Your Focaccia Bread Art
(image via: sugar geek show)
When it comes to toppings, we like to get creative with whatever we’ve got lying around, and yes, this is also a great way to use up produce before it goes bad. A few of our favorite toppings to work with include: red onions, mini bell peppers, chives, basil, cherry tomatoes, rosemary, pepperoni, sausage, parmesan, and capers.
First things first, you’ll want to make your focaccia bread dough. This will take several hours so plan accordingly! Once your dough has risen, you’ll want to spread it, more like stretch it, all the way to the edges of the cookie sheet or pan you’re using. Cover your pan with plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge overnight.
Once your bread has proofed overnight, take it out of the fridge and let it get to room temp for about 30 minutes, this is a prime time to start chopping veggies. Once you’re set, dimple your focaccia with your grub grabbers, add olive oil, and flaky salt, and you are officially ready to decorate! Now is the time for you to get as creative as you possibly can. Before popping it in the oven, you’ll want to brush over your vegetables and herbs with a little oil to prevent them from burning, then into the oven it goes for 20-25 minutes. Now all that’s left to do is enjoy!
Focaccia Bread Making Tips
(image via: ruchis kitchen)
Don’t shy away from adding herbs and spices to your dough, this will just give it a little extra flavor.
The longer your dough rises, the better flavor and texture your bread will have.
Experiment with various vessels for baking your focaccia such as sheet pans, stones, or even cast iron pans.
Don’t forget to dimple your bread; it just adds some major visual drama.
Focaccia is best right outta the oven, but few of us can devour an entire pan of bread in one sitting (challenge accepted), so make sure to cover your leftover bread with foil or plastic wrap, and as you revisit your focaccia, slice off as much as you like and pop it back in the oven to give it that freshly baked feeling.