Potato, Garlic and Rosemary Focacia

Focaccia is an Italian bread that is topped with herbs and other ingredients. Which made me ask the very next question - how is it different to pizza which is also as an Italian bread with toppings. And yes! The main difference lies in the topping. Focaccia is usually topped with herbs, olives and/or dry vegetables and finished off with olive oil. It can be served with dips or soups or by itself, dipped in some good quality olive oil. Whereas a pizza is topped with sauces, meats, vegetables and cheese and is actually made on a focaccia dough before the dough could be made a focaccia. Also, a focaccia may be eaten hot or cold while a pizza technically was meant to be eaten hot (though nowadays you have a myriad of options for cold pizza too).

My quest to find the differences between a focaccia and pizza satisfied, I then had the urge to prepare focaccia at home. The flavours of rosemary and roasted garlic are totally enticing and the thin crispy slices of potatoes are amazing. This is perfect to be enjoyed on its own, hot or cold.

Makes: 1 focaccia
Preparation Time: 5 minutes 
Cooking Time: 15 - 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 x basic focaccia dough
• 6 - 8 slices of potato
• 1 1/2 tbsp rosemary
• 2-3 tsp garlic, minced (adjust to taste)
• sea salt flakes, to taste
• 1 tsp olive oil

Method
1. Pre-heat fan-forced oven to 200° C. Roll out focaccia dough to 1 cm thickness. Make dimples on the focaccia with your finger tips all through the surface. Leave the base to rise for 10 minutes.
2. In the meantime, line potato slices on a plate. Sprinkle with enough water to make potatoes wet but not immersed. Microwave potato slices on the plate, on high for 1 minute.
3. Sprinkle half of rosemary leaves and minced garlic on focaccia base. Top with slices of potato. Sprinkle remaining rosemary and garlic.
4.Bake in pre-heated fan-forced oven for 20 - 30 minutes or until focaccia sounds hollow when tapped on base. Drizzle with olive oil as soon as it is taken out of the oven.

Serve at room temperature with soups, dips or by itself.

Sending this to Julie's  EP Series - Herbs and Spices - Rosemary and/or Sesame being hosted by Priya @ Now Serving

Also sending this to BakeFest#12 @ FunAndFoodCafe which was founded by Vardhana of cooksjoy.