Homemade Italian Focaccia Bread

Ingredients for 1 servings:

• 550 g flour
• 350 g water, lukewarm
• ½ cube of fresh yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• n. B. Olive oil for brushing the baking dish
• 1 tbsp polenta semolina or durum or soft wheat semolina
• Flour for the work surface
• 4 tbsp olive oil for brushing the dough before topping
• 1 handful of date tomatoes
• 1 handful of black olives, pitted
• ½ package of sheep’s cheese
• 1 tsp thyme
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter, soft
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ tsp salt
• 8 fresh basil leaves for garnishing

Instructions

Working time approx. 25 minutes; Rest time approx. 1 hour 35 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 25 minutes; Total time approx. 2 hours 25 minutes

Flatbread made quickly and easily

First, dissolve the yeast and sugar in lukewarm water and let it stand for five minutes. Then, briefly knead it with the flour and salt. When the dough starts to come together, add the olive oil and knead for about ten minutes. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface, sprinkle with a little flour, and knead for another three to four minutes. Return the dough to the mixing bowl, cover, and let rise for about an hour, until it has doubled in size. After the resting time, generously brush a baking sheet (36 cm x 26 cm) with olive oil, sprinkle with polenta or semolina, and spread the dough on top. Spread the olive oil over the dough and prick the dough with your fingertips to create the typical focaccia look. For the topping, wash and halve the date tomatoes and dice the feta cheese. Then scatter the tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, and thyme over the dough. Now, rinse a clean kitchen towel with hot water, squeeze out excess moisture, and cover the baking sheet with it. The focaccia needs to rest for another 30 minutes. Then, bake the bread in a preheated oven at 200°C (top and bottom heat) for about 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. In the meantime, prepare the garlic oil. To do this, combine the olive oil, softened butter, crushed garlic, and salt. After baking, spread the garlic oil over the hot focaccia, garnish with the basil leaves, and your delicious bread is ready.