A brilliant Nocellara Olive, Sea Salt and Rosemary Focaccia Recipe from April Sampson (mindfulnessbaker) to help us bring an Italian twist to British Sandwich Week 2025! Serve filled with salumi, formaggio and insalata, for the perfect panino - or make fried egg butty like April does here. Huge thanks to April for sharing – we hope you enjoy!
- Baker: April Sampson
- IG: @mindfulnessbaker
- Makes: 8 to 10 focaccia sandwiches
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Prove time: 1hr 45 minutes
- Bake time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 2 hrs 20 minutes
- Flour used: Matthews Strong White Flour
Nocellara Olive, Sea Salt & Rosemary Focaccia Method:
- Tip the flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the salt and mix together.
- In a jug add 400ml of lukewarm water and 7g yeast, you can add this directly to the dry if using fast action, I like to bloom mine.
- Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add 2 tbsp of olive oil then add the water gradually whilst combining with a spoon/spatula to bring the mix together.
- If using a stand mixer with a dough hook knead on a low speed for 8-10 minutes until a sticky but forming dough is achieved. Without a mixer, flour a surface and knead by hand for 10 minutes.
- Pop the dough in an oil greased or floured bowl to prevent sticking and leave to prove for 1 hour covered with a tea towel.
- Grease a square or rectangle baking tray and tip the proved dough into the tray, allowing the dough to sit for a few minutes.
- Gently stretch the dough out to reach the corners and leave to prove covered for a further 45 minutes.
- The dough is now ready to dimple, with the remaining oil drizzle over the dough and dimple with your fingers, pushing the oil into the dough.
- At this stage I added my optional toppings, you can add whatever your preference. Ensure you dimple or gently press these into the dough.
- Preheat an oven at 200°C fan or 220°C and bake for 20 minutes until golden.
- Remove the focaccia from the tray and onto a cooling rack.
- Serve warm or cooled, this makes a fantastic sandwich base.
Be sure to checkout @mindfulnessbaker on Instagram for more of April's great bakes!
