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Alfresco Focaccia: The perfect sandwich recipe for your next picnic

No picnic is complete without a delicious sandwich to bite into! Skip the usual cheese and tomato combo and take your spread to the next level with these irresistible focaccia sandwiches.

Homemade Focaccia sandwich

Serves: 4-8
Total Time: 1 hour + proofing

Ingredients

Focaccia

  • 450-500 ml lukewarm water
  • 10 g active dried yeast
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 500 g bread flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • To assemble
  • Basil pesto
  • Mortadella or ham
  • Salami
  • Sliced mozzarella
  • Pickled peppers
  • Rocket

Instructions

  1. COMBINE water, yeast and sugar together in a bowl. Mix until dissolved.
  2. COMBINE the bread flour and salt together in a bowl and mix to combine
  3. POUR the yeast mixture over the bread flour and gently mix using a wooden spoon, until all is incorporated.
  4. POUR over olive oil and mix to combine. Scrape the sides down and cover for 30 minutes.
  5. WET your hands with water and lift your dough from the bottom and fold it into the middle. Repeat this on all 4 sides, bringing the dough to the centre. do this at least 3 times. Cover and allow to rest for another 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, repeat the process again.
  6. GENEROUSLY grease a square baking tray with olive oil and transfer the dough into the pan. Drizzle with more olive oil and massage into the sides to fit the tray. Cover for 30 minutes. Dimple the focaccia and drizzle water over using your fingertips along with some salt
  7. BAKE at 220°C for 30–40 minutes, or until the top is deeply golden. Cool for 15 minutes.
  8. SLICE the focaccia bread in half or into rectangles and layer with ingredients. Wrap using sandwich paper and slice to serve.

Compiled by: Katelin Maggott

First published by Food & Home

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