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I think people get overwhelmed with the idea of making their own bread. I don’t know about you, but before I started making my own, I was afraid of it taking forever to make, dirtying every dish in the kitchen making it, and then still having it turn out looking something like a pile of good instead of a gorgeous loaf. Oh, and what the heck is “kneading” anyway?

Previous Attempts with Baking

My first attempt attempt at making bread was this French bread recipe. Before I even started, I had purchased enough ingredients to make three loaves of bread, with the hope that at least one of them would work out. I had that much faith in myself (ha!). But after making that first loaf and seeing just how easy it is, I couldn’t be stopped. It really is easier than I thought!

Next up, I tried my hand at these homemade soft pretzels. I love soft pretzels! Oh man, warm, salty goodness…yes please! The tough part on that one was making the correct shape.

It’s All in the Yeast

But I think the part that people struggle with in making their own bread is the yeast. After all, it’s not a normal ingredient that most people put on their shopping list each week like milk or eggs. In fact, when I first started making my own dough, I wasn’t even sure where to find the yeast packets (hint: they’re on the baking aisle). Here’s the thing, as long as you use warm water (110-115 degrees F) and feed it something (like sugar), that dough is going to rise and be a mass of fluffy delicious goodness.

Eat Up!

The recipe here today for garlic and rosemary focaccia is another one of those recipes that I’ve been wanting to try for a while. Since we are having spaghetti for dinner tonight, I thought tonight might be the night to have it. After all, it’s a good replacement for the usual garlic toast we have and it’s just as good at sopping up that leftover pasta sauce that’s on the plate.

This easy recipe for Italian focaccia includes fresh garlic, rosemary, and infused olive oil. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any pasta dinner!

Garlic & Rosemary Focaccia

This easy recipe for Italian focaccia includes fresh garlic, rosemary, and infused olive oil. It's the perfect accompaniment to any pasta dinner!

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Prep Time 1 40

Cook Time 20

Total Time 2

Course Appetizer, bread, Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Servings 16 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup 120 ml extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves finely minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup 235 ml warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
1/4 teaspoon honey
2 1/2 cups 315 grams all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions

Make Dough

In a cold medium skillet, combine olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and the black pepper. Place the pan over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes or until aromatic, but before the garlic browns. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and honey. Stir a few times then let sit for 5 minutes.
Add 1 cup of the flour and a 1/4 cup of the infused garlic-olive oil mixture to the bowl with yeast and honey. Stir 3 to 4 times until the flour has moistened. Let sit for another 5 minutes.
Stir in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour and the salt. When the dough comes together, transfer to a floured board and knead 10 to 15 times until smooth.
Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl, cover with a warm, damp towel and let rise for 1 hour. (It’s best to let the dough rise in a warmer area of your kitchen).

Bake Bread

After 1 hour, heat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use two tablespoons of the remaining garlic-olive oil mixture to oil a 9-inch by 13-inch rimmed baking sheet.
Transfer the dough to the baking sheet then press it down into the pan. Use your fingers to dimple the dough then drizzle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of the garlic-olive oil mixture. Let the dough rise for 20 minutes until it puffs slightly.
Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool baked focaccia bread on a wire rack.