Focaccia Bread Art

 

I've seen Bread Art pics floating around the internet ever since Covid Quarantine started, and my daughter and I finally made this together last week.  We made a Focaccia recipe I've made before, put it in my big white 9x13, and decorated it.   Then we let it rise for over an hour, until nice and puffy, and baked it.  We used small yellow and orange bell peppers, red onions, grape (Datterino, here) tomatoes, and one little carrot piece.  Lol.  We also used chive blossoms, basil, sage, rosemary and parsley.  (The herbs are all growing in our yard or patio.)

Focaccia Bread Art
Bread adapted from Lucas ; veggie idea from around the Web

2 cups of bread flour
1 cup of warm water

1 tablet of fresh yeast (or one satchel of dry yeast- 2 1/4 teaspoons)

1 tablespoon of sugar

1/4 cup of olive oil, plus more for topping
1/2 tablespoon of fine salt
1/2 tablespoon of Kosher salt (or to taste- I used less)

Assorted fresh veggies

Assorted fresh herbs

1. In a big bowl, dissolve the yeast with the sugar and warm water. Let it sit a few minutes to activate. 

2. Sift 1&1/2 cups of flour into the bowl. With a strong wooden spoon, (or use a stand mixer) mix the water into the flour. Add the salt and mix with the spoon for about 1-2 minutes. Add the olive oil.

3. Add the another 1/2 cup of flour and knead the focaccia dough for about 3 minutes, mixing very well, right in the bowl. (The dough will be very sticky- don't add more flour!)

4. Take the dough, and put the dough into an oiled baking sheet. (I used a deep, large 9x13 pan).  You can also use parchment if you want. I prefer this without. Press the dough into the baking sheet. When the dough is spread out, drizzle a little olive oil on the top.  Sprinkle with a bit of Kosher salt, and then decorate with fresh veggies  and herbs in any design you want. 

5. Let the focaccia rise for about an hour in a warm place. Bake at 350F/180C for about 20 minutes. Keep your eye on the bread so it doesn't over bake. Enjoy!!

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