Extra-flavorful focaccia

How to Make Extra-Flavorful Focaccia

Ingredients:

• 237ml water
• 1 tsp yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 30g pecorino cheese (or any hard grated cheese)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp cornmeal
• Whole wheat flour
• Bread flour
• Olive oil
• Toppings of choice (e.g., sage, rosemary, garlic, gruyere cheese, cured beef)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix 237ml of water with 1 tsp of yeast and 1 tsp of sugar. Stir until combined.

2. Add 30g of pecorino cheese, 1 tsp of kosher salt, 1 tbsp of cornmeal, and a couple of big spoonfuls of whole wheat flour to the mixture. Mix well.

3. Gradually add bread flour until the dough reaches about 80% hydration. Aim for a super high hydration dough.

4. Allow the dough to rise for a couple of hours at room temperature or refrigerate for a day or two for better flavor development.

5. When working with wet dough, flour your hands or wet them to avoid sticking. Stretch and fold the dough several times to develop gluten.

6. Coat a mini sheet pan with olive oil and transfer the dough onto it. Use the dough like a sponge to coat the pan and the dough with oil.

7. Let the dough rise in the pan until puffy, about an hour or two.

8. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

9. Use your fingertips to dimple the dough, creating little wells to hold olive oil and prevent bulging.

10. Sprinkle with finishing salt and any desired toppings like sage, rosemary, or garlic.

11. Bake the focaccia in the preheated oven until golden brown and cooked through.

12. While the focaccia is baking, prepare a garlic butter mixture by microwaving butter, garlic, and sage until melted.

13. Brush the baked focaccia with the herby garlic butter for added flavor and shine.

14. Optionally, add toppings like gruyere cheese and cured beef to make a sandwich. Wrap in foil before baking to keep it soft or bake directly for a crispy finish.

15. Enjoy the extra-flavorful focaccia as a snack, side dish, or sandwich with your favorite fillings.

16. Serve and enjoy the delicious homemade focaccia with friends and family.

Enjoy your homemade extra-flavorful focaccia!