If you need inspiration for kitchen creativity, just turn to Instagram or Pinterest, of course.
Focaccias decorated with beautiful patterns created with vegetables and herbs are a great project: they’re kid-friendly and adaptable to whatever ingredients you have on hand.
And this photogenic food is a delicious complement to eggs, soup, or other simple, pantry-based meals.
Floral Focaccia
1 ¼-ounce package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110F to 115F)
1 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon each garlic powder, dried basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme
Freshly ground black pepper
2 to 2½ cups all-purpose flour
1 egg plus 2 tablespoons water
Decorations: Scallions, fresh herbs, sweet peppers, radishes, olives, grape tomatoes, etc.
In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the water with sugar. Add 1 tablespoon oil along with the salt, garlic powder, herbs, pepper, and 1½ cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Knead on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning to grease the top. Cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes, then press the dough into a well-oiled 13- by 9-inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350F.
Brush dough lightly with the egg mixture; arrange vegetables and herbs over the top in a decorative pattern, pressing gently but firmly into the dough. (Place them close together and fill the entire space; the decorative items will dry and shrink a bit.) Brush the entire surface of the bread with the remaining oil.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool before slicing and serving.
Yield: 12 servings
Source: Adapted from Janet Miller, tasteofhome.com
First Published March 30, 2020, 1:30 p.m.
