Ultimate Guide to Crafting Delicious Roasted Tomato and Fresh Thyme Focaccia Bread
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with an exquisite loaf of focaccia bread, a culinary masterpiece that marries the rustic charm of Italian baking with the vibrant flavors of summer. This recipe delivers a wonderfully chewy and soft interior, encased in a golden, slightly crisp crust, generously topped with sweet, oven-roasted tomatoes and aromatic fresh thyme. It’s more than just bread; it’s an experience.
Embracing Seasonal Flavors: From Garden to Table (or Market!)
This past summer marked a significant change for me. For the first time in many years, my hands weren’t covered in garden soil, and my mornings didn’t involve checking for ripe tomatoes. After our big move and the joyful arrival of a new addition to the family, building a garden from scratch simply wasn’t a priority. While a small part of me missed the therapeutic act of weeding and tending to plants, I quickly discovered the vibrant bounty available at our local farmers’ market. It provided all the fresh, seasonal produce I could ever wish for, without any of the strenuous labor!
However, one thing I genuinely missed was the sheer abundance of homegrown tomatoes my garden typically produced around this time of year. Last year, I remember harvesting buckets of cherry tomatoes daily, enough to share with neighbors and still have plenty for every meal. There’s a special kind of satisfaction that comes from picking a warm, sun-ripened tomato straight from the vine. Despite not having my own overflowing tomato plants this season, I was determined not to let the peak of tomato season pass me by without enjoying their sweet, juicy goodness. The farmers’ market became my new source of inspiration, ensuring that even without a garden, the essence of summer would find its way into my kitchen.
And so, while my tomatoes now come from the market rather than my backyard, I am still making the most of them while they are perfectly in season. This recipe celebrates that spirit, transforming simple ingredients into something truly extraordinary.
The Magic of Focaccia: A Perfect Canvas
This roasted tomato focaccia bread brings together two of my absolute favorite culinary delights: comforting carbohydrates and the intense flavor of oven-roasted tomatoes. Focaccia itself is a marvel – a versatile Italian flatbread known for its distinctive texture and inviting aroma. Its slightly crisp crust gives way to a soft, airy, and chewy interior, making it incredibly satisfying. The beauty of focaccia lies in its simplicity and its ability to act as a perfect canvas for various toppings. This particular recipe takes inspiration from a previous favorite, the rosemary parmesan focaccia, but introduces a fresh, summery twist.
The dough, while relatively standard for a yeast bread, is elevated with the subtle inclusion of fresh thyme, which infuses every bite with an earthy, aromatic note. Before the dough even touches the oven, its surface is artfully dimpled, brushed generously with high-quality olive oil, and then studded with vibrant, halved cherry or grape tomatoes. A final flourish of extra fresh thyme and a sprinkle of coarse salt completes the topping. It’s in the oven where the real magic happens: the tomatoes gently roast and dry out, their natural sugars caramelizing and concentrating their flavor into an irresistible burst of sweetness and tang. This transformation turns them from simple fruit into intensely flavorful, almost candy-like jewels atop the golden bread.
This roasted tomato focaccia bread is incredibly versatile, making it the perfect accompaniment to almost any meal. It shines as a delightful side dish, can be enjoyed as a satisfying snack, or forms the ideal foundation for an extraordinary sandwich. Imagine it sliced horizontally, filled with fresh mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze – truly divine! If you’re fortunate enough to have a surplus of garden tomatoes, or if you simply adore them as much as I do, this is an absolute must-try recipe to savor before the season draws to a close.
The Science of Deliciousness: Understanding Yeast and Dough Rise
Understanding the role of yeast is fundamental to achieving a perfect focaccia. Yeast is a microscopic, single-celled fungus that acts as the leavening agent in bread. When mixed with warm water and sugar (which it finds in flour), it “wakes up” and begins to feed, producing carbon dioxide gas as a byproduct. This process is called fermentation, and it’s what gives bread its rise and distinctive airy texture.
Why Dough Needs to Rise (Twice!):
Baking Tip: The Importance of Proper Dough Rising
Letting dough made with yeast “rise,” or rest, is a crucial step that gives the yeast sufficient time to perform its magical work. As yeast consumes the sugars present in the flour, it releases carbon dioxide gas. This gas becomes beautifully trapped within the intricate gluten network that forms during kneading, causing the dough to expand and become light and airy.
The initial rise, often referred to as bulk fermentation, occurs after the dough has been thoroughly kneaded. During this stage, the dough significantly increases in volume, developing larger gas bubbles. This first rise contributes greatly to the overall structure and flavor development of the bread.
After the first rise, the dough is typically “punched down” to release some of the larger gas pockets and then shaped. The subsequent rise, known as proofing, is equally vital. This second rise allows the yeast to redistribute throughout the dough, finding new food sources and continuing to produce gas. This results in a further increase in volume, but with smaller, more evenly distributed bubbles. These finer bubbles are what give the baked bread or rolls their desirable delicate and uniform texture.
To determine if your dough has risen adequately, gently press it with your finger. If the indentation remains, indicating that the dough has relaxed and fully expanded, it’s ready for the next step. If it springs back quickly, the yeast still needs more time to work its magic. Patience is key for perfectly risen, flavorful bread!
In the case of focaccia, a proper rise ensures that desirable chewy yet soft texture. The active dry yeast used in this recipe, like Red Star Active-Dry Yeast, is specifically designed for reliable and consistent results, making your bread-making journey enjoyable and successful.
Recipe: Roasted Tomato Focaccia Bread
Roasted Tomato Focaccia Bread
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Ingredients
- 1 cup water (250 ml)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 – 2 ½ cups bread flour (240-300 grams)
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 packet Red Star Active-Dry Yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme , divided
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes , halved (150 grams)
- Additional olive oil , for brushing
- Coarse salt , for sprinkling
Instructions
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In a saucepan over medium heat, gently warm the water and olive oil until steam begins to rise. Remove from heat and allow to cool for approximately 5 minutes, or until the temperature reaches between 120-130°F (49-54°C). This temperature is crucial for activating the yeast without killing it.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook attachment, combine 1 cup of the bread flour with the coarse salt, granulated sugar, Red Star Active-Dry Yeast, and half of the fresh thyme. Add the warm water and olive oil mixture. Mix on low speed until the ingredients come together to form a wet, shaggy dough, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is incorporated.
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Gradually add the remaining bread flour, about 1/4 cup at a time, while the mixer continues to run. Continue mixing until the dough pulls away cleanly from the sides of the bowl and feels tacky to the touch but no longer sticks to your fingers. Depending on humidity and flour type, you may not need the full 2 ½ cups of flour; adjust as necessary to achieve the correct consistency.
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Increase the mixer speed to medium-low and knead the dough for 5-7 minutes. It should transform into a smooth, elastic, and supple ball. Lightly grease a clean large bowl with olive oil. Transfer the kneaded dough to this bowl, turning it once to ensure the top is also lightly greased. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and place it in a warm, draft-free spot. Let it rise until it has doubled in size, which typically takes about 1 hour, depending on your room temperature.
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Once doubled, gently punch down the dough to release the accumulated air bubbles. Knead it a few times on a lightly floured surface to redistribute the yeast and gluten. Transfer the dough to a parchment paper-lined sheet pan and gently shape it into a rough 14-inch circle. Cover it again and let it rise for an additional 15 minutes for its second proof. After this short rise, use your fingers to create characteristic dimples across the entire surface of the dough, pressing firmly all the way down to create pockets for the toppings.
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously brush the dimpled dough with additional olive oil. Evenly arrange the halved cherry or grape tomatoes across the top, gently pressing them into the dough. Finish by sprinkling the remaining fresh thyme and a heavy pinch of coarse salt over the tomatoes and dough.
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Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the focaccia is beautifully golden brown and the tomatoes are slightly shriveled and caramelized. Serve the focaccia warm, straight from the oven, or at room temperature. Both are equally delicious!
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Focaccia is always at its best when enjoyed on the day it’s baked, ensuring maximum freshness and perfect texture. However, any leftovers can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil and stored at room temperature for a few days, remaining wonderfully flavorful.
A Final Note on Enjoying Your Focaccia
This roasted tomato and fresh thyme focaccia bread is truly a celebration of simple, seasonal ingredients brought to life with the warmth of homemade baking. Whether you’re serving it as an appetizer with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, alongside a hearty soup or fresh salad, or as the foundation for gourmet sandwiches, its tender crumb and intensely flavorful toppings are sure to impress. Don’t hesitate to experiment with other herbs like rosemary or oregano, or even a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor. Happy baking!
Disclosure: This recipe was developed in partnership with Red Star Yeast. Thank you for supporting partnerships with brands I love and believe in, which make Completely Delicious possible. All opinions are 100% my own, as always.
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