Description
Rustic Italian “Lemon, Rosemary, and Parmesan Focaccia” brings Mediterranean sunshine to your kitchen. Fragrant herbs, zesty citrus, and salty cheese create a perfect harmony that invites friends and family to savor each golden, crispy slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 ½ cups (875 milliliters) all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups (296 milliliters) warm water
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
Bread Base Ingredients:
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons/7 grams) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt
Flavor and Topping Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (3 grams) fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Coarse sea salt
- Additional olive oil (for drizzling)
- Additional rosemary (for topping)
- Additional Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Initiate the fermentation process by dissolving yeast in tepid water with a hint of sweetness, allowing the mixture to bloom and become frothy for approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Combine flour and salt in a spacious mixing vessel, then incorporate the activated yeast, fragrant olive oil, aromatic rosemary, vibrant lemon zest, and savory Parmesan cheese until a cohesive dough emerges.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly dusted work surface and knead vigorously, developing gluten and creating a smooth, elastic texture through manual manipulation or using a stand mixer with a dough hook for 6-8 minutes.
- Nestle the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, envelop with a clean cloth, and allow it to rest in a draft-free, warm environment until it expands to double its original volume, approximately 1-1.5 hours.
- Prepare a rectangular baking vessel by greasing thoroughly or lining with parchment paper. Gently deflate the risen dough and spread it evenly across the pan, creating a rustic landscape.
- Lavish the dough’s surface with a generous drizzle of olive oil, using fingertips to create characteristic dimples. Embellish with additional rosemary sprigs, grated Parmesan, flaky sea salt, and optional lemon zest.
- Shield the dough and permit a second gentle rise for 20-30 minutes while preheating the oven to 400°F (200°C), allowing the focaccia to develop a light, airy structure.
- Bake the focaccia until it transforms into a golden-brown masterpiece with crisp edges, typically requiring 20-25 minutes of precise heat application.
- Allow the focaccia to cool momentarily, then slice and serve either warm or at ambient temperature, accompanied by a small dish of high-quality olive oil for elegant dipping.
Notes
- Swap out traditional flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or rice flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan to create a vegan-friendly version that maintains the cheesy, savory flavor profile.
- Enhance moisture by brushing the focaccia with extra virgin olive oil immediately after baking to prevent drying and create a softer crust.
- Experiment with herb combinations like thyme and oregano alongside rosemary to add depth and complexity to the bread’s aromatic profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 2 mg