Focaccia with an Indian Touch!

Focaccia is an Italian Bread Base which can be further modified into Pizzas or Sandwich Breads and used as a party pleaser or as a simple table bread,whichever way used is absolutely delicious!

There are Italian herbs used in the dough and topping of a basic Focaccia like Rosemary,Thyme and Basil.I wanted to lend an Indian touch to this intricately flavoured bread and so opted for Indian ingredients like a pinch of Garam Masala,Coriander Powder and fresh Coriander Leaves which go bone dry on baking to give an absolutely delicious taste to the Bread.

This recipe was posted in the Shhhhh Cooking Secretly Challenge where I was paired with Kalyani Sri who blogs at Sizzling Tastebuds.

Kalyani gave me Flour and Bell Peppers and I gave her Oats and fruit.She proceeded to make a beautiful cake with the ingredients and here is the link for her recipe :

http://www.sizzlingtastebuds.com/2017/08/vegan-chocolate-n-fruit-oats-bundt-cake.html

Thank you Kalyani for the great 2 ingredients.

As I mentioned before you can use this as a plain table bread,put items like Lettuce,Tomatoes,minced meat,seasoned paneer,cooked kheema in between equal squares of the bread to make delicious sandwiches or even decorate the top with these items and Mozzarella cheese to get a Pizza beyond deliciousness!

I have used a rectangular cake pan for the bread,however you can use a round Pizza pan,a sheet pan or even a pie plate for the bread.

Preparation Time : 3 hours

Makes : 1 9″ rectangle/9″ round Focaccia Bread

INGREDIENTS

For the dough :

2 cups plain flour/maida

2 tsp salt

2 tsp Instant yeast/active dried yeast

2 tbsp powdered sugar

1 pinch Garam Masala

1 pinch Coriander Powder

1/4 cup plus 4 tbsp Olive Oil

2 tbsp milk

Water as required

For the Topping :

1 Onion – diced

1 Tomato – diced

1 Bell Pepper/Capsicum – diced

2 tbsp sun dried Tomatoes – chopped finely (optional)

3 tbsp finely chopped fresh Coriander Leaves

2 tbsp dried red chilli flakes

2 tbsp dried Oregano/pizza seasoning

METHOD

Prepare the pan for baking the bread.

Prepare the Dough :

Mix all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.If using instant yeast use it now.Whisk well.For yeast which needs soaking in water with sugar,prepare the mx and leave for 15 – 20 minutes or till frothy and foamy.Mix all dry ingredients,make a well in the centre and pour the yeast mix into it.Add enough water to bind into a sticky dough.Add 2 tbsp oil and knead again.Now you will see the dough leave your hands and become smooth.Knead for 10 minutes more till nice and elastic..Grease a bowl with another tbsp Oil and put the kneaded dough into the bowl.Flip it over for the Oil to coat the dough well.Cover and place in a warm place till risen and double in volume.

Pat the dough evenly into the pan stretching it to cover the base completely upto 1/2 inch.Make dents with the tips of your fingers into the dough and leave to rise for 35 – 40 minutes.

Prepare the topping :

Mix all the diced ingredients in a bowl.Mix the last 1 tbsp oil with 2 tbsp milk.Keep aside.

Assembling the Bread :

Preheat oven to 180°C.

Brush the top of the dough with the oil and milk mix.Sprinkle the diced vegetables evenly on the risen dough to cover it completely.Sprinkle over the chopped Coriander Leaves.

Baking the Bread :

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 – 30 minutes till golden brown on top and a delicious aroma of baking bread and bell peppers emanates.Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes in the pan itself.

After baking the Focaccia…

Loosen sides with a knife and invert onto a plate or board.Cut into slices with a bread knife or a pizza cutter.Serve as you like!

Cut into slices…