Lemon Honey Thyme Focaccia Recipes

THYME FOCACCIA AND PARMESAN FOCACCIA

Steps:

• In a standing electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment beat together yeast, sugar, and water and let stand 5 minutes, or until foamy. In a bowl stir together table salt and 5 cups flour. Stir oil into yeast mixture. With motor on low speed, gradually add flour mixture to yeast mixture. With dough hook knead dough 2 minutes, or until soft and slightly sticky.
• Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead in enough remaining flour to form a soft but not sticky dough. Form dough into a ball and put in an oiled large bowl, turning to coat. Cover bowl with a kitchen towel and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
• Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and divide in half. Knead thyme into one half and knead plain half 1 minute. Form each half into an oval and invert bowl over them. Let dough rest 5 minutes for easier rolling.
• Preheat oven to 450° F.
• Oil two 13- by 9-inch baking pans and sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon cornmeal. On lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin roll out dough halves into 13- by 9-inch rectangles and fit into pans. Cover each pan with a kitchen towel and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 20 minutes.
• Sprinkle plain dough with Parmesan and sprinkle both doughs with coarse salt and pepper. With lightly oiled fingertips make indentations, about 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart, all over dough rectangles and bake in middle of oven 12 minutes, or until golden. Remove focaccie from pans and cool on racks.

OVERNIGHT GREEN OLIVE, SHALLOT AND THYME FOCACCIA BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and yeast. Add in the water and stir with a sturdy wooden spoon or a Danish whisk to make a sticky, shaggy dough that comes together. Coat a large plastic or metal bowl completely with the oil. Transfer the dough to the prepared bowl and turn to coat completely in the oil.
• Cover the bowl with a tight-fitting lid so no air can enter the bowl. Leave on the countertop overnight, or in the fridge for up to 2 days, for the flavor to develop.
• Oil a 13-by-9-inch rimmed baking sheet generously with olive oil, making sure to get all the corners. Gently slide the dough into the prepared pan (it should be very soft) and use your fingers to spread it into the corners. (If the dough has been chilling in the fridge, remove it and let it rest in a warm place until it is puffy and soft, 30 minutes to 1 hour, before transferring.)
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Use the pads of your fingers to dimple the entire surface of the dough. Sprinkle the olives over the top, poking some down inside the bread. Scatter the shallots and thyme over the top. Drizzle generously with oil and scatter over the flaky salt. Bake, rotating once, until the top is evenly golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly, then slide out of the pan. Drizzle with honey. Slice and serve warm. Eat within 24 hours or wrap well and freeze for up to 1 month.

LEMON-THYME FOCACCIA ROLLS

Steps:

• Combine the water and yeast in a mixing bowl and stir until the yeast dissolves. Stir in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 cup of flour. Stir in a second cup of flour, the thyme, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Sprinkle some of the remaining flour over a work surface and your hands. Scrape the dough out of the bowl and onto the work surface. Gradually knead in additional flour, until the dough no longer feels sticky.
• Lightly oil a large bowl. Shape the dough into a ball and roll it in the bowl to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch the dough down and knead it for about 1 minute. Return the dough to the bowl and let rise until doubled again, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Shape them into flattened rounds, about 4 to 4 1/2 inches in diameter. Place on a well-greased baking sheet, cover with a towel and let stand for 15 minutes. Brush the tops with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Bake until lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Let cool.

LEMON HONEY THYME FOCACCIA

Steps:

• With all ingredients at room temperature, place in bread machine except the 1/3 cup honey. Program for Dough and start. After the final cycle, remove the dough to a lightly floured work surface.
• Use your hands to pat the dough into a 10-inch disk and place it on an oiled pizza pan or baking sheet. Allow the dough to rise 30 minutes and then use your finger to gently poke a dozen slight indentations around the top of it.
• Preheat the oven to 400F with the rack in the center position. Bake the focaccia for 12 minutes at 400F, then lower the temperature to 375°F Remove the focaccia and quickly drizzle the honey over the top:it should collect in the holes as well as drip over the entire surface. Continue baking an additional 12 - 14 minutes. If the top is getting too brown, cover it with a tent of foil (so as not to disturb the honey). Cut the focaccia into wedges and serve hot, warm, or at room temperature with a dish of additional honey for dipping.