Who knew that olive oil and dates could make such delicious focaccia bread? This unique recipe developed by Shiva from @lilyrose.cafe who says the key to her recipe is the high quality ingredients and a little bit of creativity. Your kitchen will smell like heaven after you bake this Date focaccia bread.
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Proof Time: 3 hours and 30 Minutes
Total Time: 4 Hour and 25 Minutes
Servings: 4
Diet Category: Vegetarian, Vegan (If Cheese is Omitted)
Ingredients:
- 420 g All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. Honey
- 1 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 1/4 tsp. Active Dry Yeast
- 7 tbsp. @terradelyssa Extra virgin Olive oil
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 cups @terradelyssa Dates
- 1/4 cup Basil leaves
- 1/3 cup Pecans or walnuts
- 2 Sprigs of thyme
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp. Sesame seeds
Directions:
- Proof the yeast
✅️In a bowl, add warm water and honey and stir to combine. Add the yeast to the water. Give it a quick stir to mix with the water. Let it sit for 5_10 minute until foamy.
- Make the dough
✅️ In a big bowl, add flour and salt and mix. Pour in the yeast mixture, add a tbsp. olive oil, and use your hands or a spatula to stir the mixture together until the dough forms.
✅️ Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl
✅️ Use the stretch and fold method to develop gluten strands. Dip your hands in water to prevent sticking and do four stretches and folds: grab and pull up one corner of the dough from underneath and gently lift up and stretch it without tearing the dough then fold it over onto itself. Rotate the bowl and continue this process 3 more times.
✅️ Cover it with plastic wrap and rest for 45 to 60 minutes at room temp.
✅️ Repeat the process three more times. Cover and let the dough rest for 30 minutes each time.
Transfer to the pan
✅️ Pour 2 tbsp. of the olive oil into a baking pan or skillet to coat the bottom.
✅️ Transfer the dough to the pan. Gently press the dough and stretch the dough to the edges.
✅️ Cover the pan with a damp towel or plastic film and leave it to rise for an hour.
- Make the Topping:
✅️ Grind the pecan and basil with a tbsp. of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Chop the dates and walnuts and grease them with olive oil.
Create Dimples:
✅️Drizzle a tbsp. or 2 of olive oil evenly all over the top of the dough and use your fingertips to poke deep dents.
✅️Top the focaccia with toppings. Sprinkle parmesan cheese and sesame seeds and thyme over the top of the bread. Cover the dough again and let it rest for half an hour.
✅️ Preheat the oven to 450˚F and bake for 20_25 minutes until golden brown.
✅️Immediately transfer to a wire rack to cool.
