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Mozzarella Focaccia Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 741 reviews

This delicious Focaccia Bread features a soft and fluffy crust infused with Italian seasoning and garlic, topped with a flavorful garlic sauce, dill pickle slices, and melted mozzarella cheese. Baked in a cast-iron skillet for a golden, bubbly crust, it’s perfect as a savory snack or appetizer garnished with fresh dill.

Ingredients

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For the Dough

  • 1 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)
  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup (72 g) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour

For the Garlic Sauce

  • ¾ cup (172.5 g) sour cream
  • ¼ cup (58 g) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon dill weed
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Toppings and Garnish

  • 25–30 dill pickle slices
  • 2 cups (226 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh dill, roughly chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently and let the mixture rest for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy and activated.
  2. Prepare the oil mixture: In a small bowl, mix together the extra virgin olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and kosher salt. This mixture will add flavor to the dough and coating.
  3. Combine oil and yeast mixtures: Pour half of the oil mixture into the activated yeast mixture and stir well. Set aside the remaining oil mixture for later use.
  4. Add flour to form dough: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the yeast and oil mixture, stirring until combined and a dough forms.
  5. Let the dough rise: Transfer the dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
  6. Prepare the garlic sauce: While the dough is rising, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, whole milk, lemon juice, minced garlic, dill weed, kosher salt, and ground black pepper in a medium bowl. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
  7. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 450°F (232°C) to get it ready for baking the focaccia.
  8. Grease the skillet: Pour the remaining oil mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the bottom and sides of the skillet with the oil.
  9. Shape the dough in the skillet: Transfer the risen dough into the prepared skillet. Press it gently with your fingers to spread it to the edges and create characteristic dimples across the dough surface.
  10. Apply garlic sauce and toppings: Spread the prepared garlic sauce evenly over the dough. Layer the dill pickle slices evenly on top of the sauce, and then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the pickles.
  11. Bake the focaccia: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned on top.
  12. Garnish and serve: Remove the focaccia from the oven and sprinkle with roughly chopped fresh dill before serving for a fresh, herbaceous finish.

Notes

  • Make sure the water used to activate the yeast is not too hot; 105°F to 115°F is ideal to avoid killing the yeast.
  • Using a cast-iron skillet helps create a crisp crust and even baking.
  • The dimples pressed into the dough help hold the garlic sauce and toppings while baking.
  • This focaccia can be served warm as an appetizer or alongside your favorite soups and salads.
  • Feel free to substitute pickles or cheese to suit your taste preferences.

Keywords: focaccia bread, garlic focaccia, Italian bread, pickles on bread, homemade focaccia, baked bread, skillet focaccia

Find it online: https://deliciousdishspot.com/mozzarella-focaccia-recipe/