This Indian style whole wheat Focaccia bread recipe is a healthy, easy and straight forward recipe. Make it plain or with veggies, either way, it tastes excellent. Step by step photos will help you create the same magic in your kitchen too.
This flavorful flatbread with a lot of toppings is actually a criss-cross between Pizza and Loaf bread. Normally, it is topped with herbs and seasonings only, but I went a step further and used lots of veggies too.
Also, just like my 100% WHOLE WHEAT PIZZA RECIPE, even this one is made with wheat flour but nowhere you will feel that it is dense.
Anyway, tell me, which Focaccia you would like to have first? The one with the veggies or the plain one with herbs only? Again confused? Okay, then have a bite of each. They both are so good that it is actually tough to choose.
Focaccia!!! Some of you might be drooling just by reading the name only whereas some might be wondering as to what it is. Yes, it is one bread that arouses that confusion. But whatever it is, one thing is for sure that it is bread to die for. Simple to make, fuss-free and full of flavor.
What is Focaccia?
Focaccia is a famous Italian flatbread. It is a flavourful bread with a crispy crust and a soft chewy centre. Making Focaccia is really fun, especially when we poke dimples in the spongy bubbly dough. And today, I am sharing with you the Indian version of this Italian bread.
So, is it bread or Pizza, as Italy is known for? Well, if I put it in simple words, then Focaccia is a criss-cross between bread and pizza. It is neither a loaf of bread nor Pizza and yet it is both of them. As you can see in the pics, it is too thick to be called a pizza and too thin to be called a loaf of bread.
Technically, Focaccia, Loaf bread and Pizza are differentiated with the type of flour used and the quantity of yeast and they are of course correct for bakery and professional purposes. But here, for domestic purposes, I am differentiating these on the basis of looks, texture and toppings only.
Focaccia Vs Bread
- Focaccia is like bread but is flatbread and thus neither in a loaf shape nor have slices.
- Sandwich bread is baked without any toppings. It is later turned into a toast or served with toppings. Whereas, Focaccia is baked along with toppings.
Focaccia Vs Pizza
- Focaccia is like Pizza but is much thicker than Pizza. Even the regular pizzas are less than half an inch thick. Whereas, Focaccia is almost one inch or slightly more thick.
- As said by Ms Weinberg, Pizza is more of toppings and less of bread whereas Focaccia is more of bread with minimal toppings.
- Focaccia is for all those who are health conscious or are interested in eating something light as it is basically topped with olive oil, herbs and some veggies. Whereas, Pizza, we all know is loaded with cheese with/without veggies.
- Another thing by which I like to differentiate it is that Pizza is best eaten hot, straight from the oven. Whereas, you can make ahead Focaccia and then eat it later or maybe after warming it up a little for a minute or two.
- Then Pizza is the main course thing whereas Focaccia is eaten as a snack item.
- Also, Pizza doesn't need any accompaniment whereas, Focaccia is generally served with some dip.
So, with these, I leave it to you, as to what category you would like to put Focaccia in. But it is a yeasted baked bread of its own kind. However, if interested in reading more about their differences then read here.
How To Pronounce Focaccia?
Before we look at the recipe and other things about focaccia an important and interesting aspect is how to pronounce Focaccia?
It is pronounced in many different ways in English, Italian and other languages. In Indian English, it is pronounced as, " fow·ka·chuh" So, how's it? I love pronouncing it this way. But shall I tell you something, earlier, I used to pronounce it absolutely wrong like 'Fo-ka-shia''
Serving Suggestions
Focaccia is a very versatile bread. It can be served as an
- Appetizer,
- in breakfast,
- at teatime,
- packed in the lunch box,
- You can have it every second day with a new flavour each time. Some of the options may be with veggies, with garlic oil, with herbs, plain, just tomato and cheese etc. You can experiment it in various ways depending on your liking.
Step By Step Recipe
(The ingredients mentioned in the recipe card below are sufficient for 1 Focaccia. I Doubled The Ingredients As Made 2 pieces of bread at a time as I baked one in the oven and the other in the microwave oven simultaneously)
A. Make garlic herbed oil.
- Heat olive oil with crushed garlic, rosemary, oregano and mixed Italian seasoning.
B. Make Dough
- Proof yeast. Add instant dry yeast and honey to lukewarm water. Cover it and leave for 10 to 15 minutes till frothy and bubbly.
- Take wheat flour and salt in a big bowl.
- Add frothy yeast solution to the flour mix and knead it.
- Add garlic oil (1 tablespoon approx) and continue kneading till smooth and stops sticking.
- Keep the dough in a greased bowl, cover it and leave it for first proofing. It normally takes an hour to get double in volume, but longer in winters. So, instead of the clock, keep an eye on the dough.
- Once double in volume, deflate it by gently pressing with your knuckles. Knead it for 10 to 12 seconds only.
- Using a pizza cutter, divide it into 2 parts. Avoid stretching it with your hands as it may destroy the gluten formed therein. (I did it as mine was double the ingredients)
- Grease a baking tray. I have used a 7'' by 7'' square pan. You can take of any other shape too. Put the dough and spread it with fingers only.
- Cover it with a kitchen napkin and leave for second proofing for 15 to 20 minutes.
- In the meantime, chop veggies, in whatever shape you like.
- After about 10 minutes, start preheating the oven. Preheat it to the highest temperature in your oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Once the dough has risen, poke dimples using your fingertips.
- Drizzle remaining garlic oil all over it. Spread it using a pastry brush.
- Bake it as it is or put veggies on it. Slightly press the veggies.
- Bake it at 200 degrees C for 25 minutes approximately till it turns golden from the top.
- Take it out of the oven. Let it cool down a bit for 5 to 6 minutes. Run a knife around it and invert it on a wire rack.
- Put olives/jalapenos, cut pieces and serve with love, mayonnaise optional.
FAQs
Q) Can I make the Focaccia dough ahead of time?
In case, you are not able to bake for whatever reason then after first proofing, deflate the dough and keep it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It will be good for up to 3 days. Whenever you wish to use it, take it out, shape it and go for second proofing.
Q) Why do we put dimples (dents) on Focaccia Bread?
Focaccia is the Dimpled Bread. Just a look at this bread and you know it's Focaccia! It's like dimples all over the surface are calling out 'hey, I am Focaccia, I am Focaccia!"
Why put dimples? Is it something to give it an eye-catching look? Well, no doubt, dimples enhance the beauty of this bread and is its trademark. But hold on! That's not all! There's a reason, rather two reasons behind that.
- Focaccia bread is rich in olive oil. After the dough is proofed, we put dimples on it using our fingers. Thereafter, flavoured or plain olive oil is spread liberally on it. As per the experts, these dimples acts like a pool of olive oil which eventually seeps in the bread, thus rendering it a lovely crust, flavour as well texture.
- Also, Focaccia is a flatbread and is not expected to be domed/risen like regular bread. So, these dimples stops the further rising of the bread and thus keeps it flat only.
Q) How much deep the dimples on Focaccia should be?
While poking dimples, do not dive into it till the bottom, otherwise it will puncture the bread and will not let it rise. Just use your fingertips and that's it. As you can see in the pic below, the backside is without any dimples.
Q) Can I make this bread without veggies?
Yes. As seen in the picture above, you can make it without veggies and just using herbs.
Q) What is the trending veggies art on Focaccia?
The latest trend is that instead of putting dimples on the bread, a beautiful pattern is created using various vegetables and herbs. It looks somewhat like this:
Q) How to ensure that my bread does not stick to the baking pan?
Before placing the dough on the baking pan, liberally brush it with olive oil. This will not only give a crispier crust but also ensure that the bread comes out easily.
Or, you can line the baking pan with parchment paper.
Q) Can I double this recipe? If yes, how?
Yes. For scaling it to double, just multiply all the ingredients by 2.
Q) What else can I make with this dough?
Using the same dough, you can make other bread too like:
Q) New To Bread Baking?
If you are new to bread making or have some inhibitions in using yeast, then my suggestion is that you first go through the basics by reading ALL ABOUT YEAST and BASICS OF BREAD MAKING.
However, if you are friendly with yeast then forget the above posts and dive straight into the recipe below.
And still, if you are not comfortable in using yeast then try these easy PIZZA MUFFINS. These muffins are made without yeast and the best thing is that very little cheese is used in this. A perfect healthy option to have in the breakfast. Try it!
Let's Connect!
I hope you have liked this easy recipe of Indian Focaccia bread at home and will surely try it out for your loved ones. I will be happy if you share your creations on Instagram and tag me #samirasrecipediary there.
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Focaccia Bread Recipe Indian
Focaccia, a versatile Italian bread, perfect for anytime. Good for beginners who want to start bread baking.
- Oven
For Garlic Oil
- 4 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Crushed Garlic
- 1 tsp Rosemary
- 1 tsp Mixed Italian Herbs
For The Dough
- 1.5 Cups Wheat Flour
- 3/4 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Honey
- 1/2 tsp Instant Dry Yeast
- 3/4 Cup Lukewarm Water
For Focaccia
- 1/4 Cup Veggies (Bell Peppers, Mushrooms, Onion etc)
Make garlic herbed oil
Heat olive oil with crushed garlic, rosemary, oregano and mixed Italian seasoning. Let it cool down.
For The Dough
Proof yeast. Add instant dry yeast and honey to luke warm water. Cover it and leave for 10 to 15 minutes till frothy and bubbly. Having lukewarm water is very important. It should be such wherein you can put your fingers comfortably.Too hot water will kill the yeast and if not warm then yeast will not activate.
Take wheat flour and salt in a big bowl.
Add frothy yeast solution to the flour mix and knead it.
Add garlic oil and continue kneading till smooth and stops sticking. Put the dough on your kitchen counter and knead for another 4 to 5 minutes. Stretch the dough using the heel of your hands, fold it, then again stretch. Soon the dough will be smooth and shiny.
Grease the bowl liberally, put the dough in it, invert the dough so that the top also gets oily. Cover it with a plate or lid and let it rise for an hour or so till doubles in volume. Time is just a rough guide and will depend on the weather. If too cold then it may take even longer. So, instead of time, watch your dough.
When the dough has risen, punch it to release the gases. Knead it lightly for few seconds.
Making Focaccia
Grease a baking tray and put the dough in it. ( I used 7'' by 7'' square baking pan).
Spread it in the tray so as to keep it 1/2'' thick.
Cover it with a kitchen napkin and leave for second proofing for 15 to 20 minutes.
During this time, chop the veggies.
After about 10 minutes, start preheating oven. Preheat it to the highest temperature (200 or 220 degrees C) in your oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
Once the dough has risen, poke dimples using your fingertips.
Drizzle garlic oil all over it. Spread it using pastry brush.
Put veggies on it. Slightly press the veggies.
Bake it at 200 degrees C for 25 minutes approximately till it turns golden from the top.
Take it out of the oven. Let it cool down a bit for 5 to 6 minutes. Run a knife around it and invert it on a wire rack.
Cut pieces and serve with love, mayonnaise optional.
- To replace instant yeast with active dry yeast, use 1 tsp. As 1 TSP INSTANT YEAST = 1.25 TSP ACTIVE DRY YEAST.
- You can use the same quantity of sugar in place of honey.
- The quantity of water for kneading the dough may vary as different flours have different absorption capacities.
- Rising time depends on the quantity of yeast and on the weather conditions. During summers it may rise in 45 minutes to 1 hour. Whereas in winters it may take even up to 2 hours.
- While making dimples, do not dive till the bottom of the dough.
- You may skip veggies and bake after drizzling garlic oil only.
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