Olive, Sun Dried Tomatoes and Rosemary Focaccia

Focaccia is a type of Italian flat bread which is made with yeast and topped with lots of olive oil infused herbs like rosemary, basil, olives etc. Toppings can be as per your choice. This is not a bread baked in a loaf tin, it is flat, rectangular shape and cut into strips. It is crusty on the top and soft on the inside.

Prep Time: 2 hrs

Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

For the yeast mixture

• 330 ml Warm milk

• 1 tsp Sugar

• 1 and 3/4 tsp yeast

For the bread dough

• 460 gms maida

• Salt to taste

• 2 tbsp Olive oil

For the topping

• 60 ml Olive oil

• 1/8 cup Sun dried tomatoes

• 1/8 cup Black olives

• 1 tsp Dried Rosemary

• 1 tsp Dried basil

• 1 tsp Pepper

• Salt to taste

Instructions

For the yeast mixture

1. Dissolve the sugar in warm milk and mix well

2. Add the yeast and mix vigorously. Leave it undisturbed for 10 mins till the yeast blooms.

For the dough

1. In a large mixing bowl add maida, salt and mix well

2. Add the oil and yeast mixture and bring it together, it will be sticky at the moment

3. Put this on a floured board and knead the dough with the base of your palm well for 10-15 mins till the dough appears pliable

4. Sprinkle some more flour and roll this dough to a rectangle

5. Place the dough on a greased tray, cover and keep in a warm place for an hour and half (I keep it closed in the microwave oven)

For the topping

1. Place the dried tomatoes in very little boiling water till they becomes bloomed

2. In a pan, take the oil and add all the ingredients including the squeezed tomatoes, saute for 5 mins till the flavours get infused and then cool

To proceed

1. You will notice that the dough has doubled in size

2. Poke indents with your index finger in equal spaces throughout the dough

3. Pour the infused oil mixture and spread it around the dough

4. Pour the infused oil mixture and spread it around the dough

5. Bake this in a preheated oven at 200 degrees C for 17-20 mins till the sides turn brown while keeping a watch

6. Once cool, cut into desired slices