Herbed Focaccia (Vegan in the Freezer)

Herbed Focaccia is very popular in Italy and you could even say a staple. It’s popularity has grown in other areas of the world by leaps and bounds in the that last 20 years. You can even find it in specialty food stores. It has a wonderful chewy texture, is aromatic and satisfying. I remember when I was first introduced to it. The flatbread was actually made into a sandwich. I was hooked. Since then I have had it multiple ways and you can too. As a side dish at the dinner table or dunked in spaghetti and pizza sauce or eaten in numerous ways as any sandwich you can think of. This is the traditional olive oil and sea salt recipe and now I can make it at home. I hope you try it because it is really not hard at all. I am so happy.

Print Herbed Foccacia

Prep Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 50 minutes

Yield: 1 large loaf Focaccia

Serving Size: 1 to 2 slices

Ingredients

1 packet of Active Dry Yeast

or 2-1/4 teaspoon from a jar (that is what I use)

1-1/2 cups warm water (100-110°)

1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt

3 Tablespoons olive oil (and a little extra for greasing the baking sheet)

4 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 Tablespoon Nutritional Yeast

(this is if you are vegan and want to add the extra protein, it is not for levening)

1 teaspoon dried oregano but preferably fresh oregano, 1/8 cup chopped

Directions

Lightly grease a 10" x 15" baking sheet with olive oil.

Lightly oil a medium to large bowl for your dough to rise after kneading. Set aside.

Have the warm water in a bowl and make sure that it is the correct temperature. You can zap it in the microwave again and 'take it's temperature'.

When the water is at 100° to 110° pour in the yeast.

Stir and let stand 5 to 10 minutes.

Put the flour and nutritional yeast in a large bowl - not the oiled one.

Add salt and oil to the yeast mixture and stir.

Add to the bowl of flour.

Stir and then dump on a lightly floured cool board or counter.

Knead about 5 to 10 times until the dough is elastic. You will need to add extra flour as you knead until it is not TOO sticky. You will be able to remove your hand without dough left on your fingers and palms.

Form into a ball.

Place in your oiled bowl and turn the dough to get oil on all sides.

Cover with a clean dish towel and let rise 45 min. to 1 hour until it doubles.

Remove the dough and knead 2 to 3 times to remove the air.

Lay the ball on the prepared baking pan and push the dough close to the corners with your fingers.

Cover and let rise another hour.

Sprinkle 3 Tablespoons olive oil over the bread and smooth around.

Dimple the bread lightly with your finger tips. You no not want to loose it's 'rise'.

Sprinkle on the oregano and just a pinch more of sea salt..

Bake at 425° for 20 minutes.

Let cool a bit and then remove to a rack.

This loaf or slices can be refrigerated for a couple of weeks or frozen for about 6 months.

IF FREEZING::

After they have cooled you may freeze them in any of the methods shown in my article http://veganinthefreezer.com/preparing-food-for-the-freezer/

They defrost quickly so it really doesn't take any planning. The microwave will also zap them in 10 seconds.

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Ginny McMeans

Herbed Focaccia

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