I LOVE making this bread. This is Gordon Ramsay's recipe and when he makes it he makes it look so easy. The great thing is, it actually is really easy! It is so delicious, the loaf is usually gone in the same day. I have posted this recipe because I have converted all Gordon’s measurements to the ones I am familiar with, cups, tbsp, etc. Also when you google this recipe you get a video and that is not the way I can follow a recipe. So for anyone out there who needs a converted written version, here you go!
Ramsay’s Focaccia
4 cups of flour
1 tbsp cornmeal
4 ½ tsp yeast
1 ⅓ cup of warm water
3 ½ tbsp of olive oil
salt
2 - 3 sprigs of rosemary
~ 10 - 12 pitted black olives
~ 10 - 12 sundried tomatoes
Put all the dry ingredients in the bowl of the stand mixer, mix with the dough hook, don’t forget a healthy pinch of salt! Mix the olive oil and water together then slowly add to flour as you are mixing. If you are doing this by hand then you make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and add your liquid slowly changing from a fork to your hands when it gets doughlike. Knead for 10 minutes - not 8, not 9, must be 10! Put in a warm place and let rise for 30 - 60 minutes. Oil the dish you are baking it in and sprinkle some course sea salt on the dish before putting the dough on top. Spread olive oil over the top of the dough pushing it down lightly to fit the dish you are using. Then sprinkle coarse sea salt and rosemary on top. Push the rosemary in somewhat. Gordon also puts olives and tomatoes on top pushing them in so they are nesting comfortably in the dough. I often skip the tomatoes and olives because my kids just pick it all off but if you are making this for company, the toppings make this bread look beautiful. Cook for 30 minutes in a 380 degree oven.