Focaccia con Olive Recipe Guide

Focaccia con Olive is a delightful Italian bread that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, infused with the rich flavors of olives and olive oil. This rustic bread is perfect for sharing and makes an excellent appetizer, side dish, or even a snack on its own. From my own personal experience, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked focaccia wafting through your kitchen. It’s an inviting and comforting experience that I’m excited to share with you.

Let me show you how I make Focaccia con Olive, ensuring that even beginners can enjoy this delicious Italian treat.

Notes on What to Expect

When making Focaccia con Olive, expect a beautifully golden crust with a soft and airy interior. The olives add a savory, briny flavor that perfectly complements the rich olive oil. The dimples on the surface not only create an attractive presentation but also allow the olive oil and toppings to soak in, enhancing every bite.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Time to Stand: 1-2 hours (for the dough to rise)
• Total Time: Approximately 2-3 hours
• Ease of Cooking: Easy
• Servings: 8-10 pieces
• Calories: Approximately 200 per serving
• Cost of Ingredients: Approximately $8-12
• Cuisine: Italian
• Course: Appetizer or Side Dish
• Equipment Needed:
  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet or pan (approximately 9×13 inches)
  • Parchment paper (optional)
  • Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Check out the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory  #Focaccia con olive here.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F/43°C)
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 cup mixed olives (green and black), pitted and roughly chopped
• Sea salt (for sprinkling)
• Fresh rosemary (optional, for flavor)
• Check out the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory  #Focaccia con olive here.

Method

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
3. Combine Ingredients: Create a well in the center of the flour mixture, then add the activated yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 2: Knead the Dough

4. Knead: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour as needed.

Step 3: First Rise

5. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm area for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 4: Shape the Focaccia

6. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Grease your baking sheet with olive oil or line it with parchment paper.
7. Shape the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Transfer it to the prepared baking sheet and gently stretch it out to fit the pan. You can use your fingers to dimple the surface.
8. Add Olives: Evenly distribute the chopped olives over the surface of the dough, pressing them in gently. If you like, sprinkle fresh rosemary on top for added flavor.

Step 5: Second Rise

9. Second Rise: Cover the dough again and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.

Step 6: Bake

10. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
11. Drizzle and Sprinkle: Before baking, drizzle more olive oil over the top and sprinkle with sea salt.
12. Bake: Place the focaccia in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

13. Cool: Remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then, transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
14. Serve: Slice into squares or rectangles and enjoy warm or at room temperature!

Variations

• Herbed Focaccia: Add chopped herbs like thyme or oregano to the dough for additional flavor.
• Cheesy Focaccia: Sprinkle shredded cheese (like mozzarella or Parmesan) on top before baking.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Incorporate chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the dough for a tangy twist.
• Check out the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory  #Focaccia con olive here.

Tips and Substitutions

• Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking.
• Dairy-Free Option: This recipe is naturally dairy-free, but ensure any toppings are also dairy-free.
• Storage: Keep leftover focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to a month.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

• Calories: Approximately 200
• Total Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 300mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 25g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 0g
• Protein: 4g

I hope this guide has made making Focaccia con Olive seem a little less daunting! Have you tried making it before? Please be honest and let me know in the comments below. I like to hear feedback from a real person like you, so please, leave your honest comment!