Lemon Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia

The recipe for classic focaccia is easy and fool proof. The toppings are bright and fresh, making this bread practically a meal unto itself. Chewy and airy, this will be your go-to focaccia from now on.

Dough:
1 tsp. active dry yeast
2¾ cups water (630 g)
5½ cups bread flour, unbleached (700 g)
4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, plus more for coating the pan and shaping (55 g)
1 Tbsp. sea salt
¾ tsp. sugar

Topping:
1-2 organic lemons, washed, preferably Meyer lemons
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil (20 mL)
½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
1½ tsp. sea salt, divided
1 tsp. black pepper, freshly cracked

Stir together the yeast and water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Add the flour and mix on low speed until the ingredients are well combined. Mix on medium speed until the dough looks like thick muffin batter, about 2 minutes.

Turn the mixer off and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to allow the flour to fully hydrate (absorb all the water).

Add 2 Tbsp. (30 g) of the olive oil, the salt and sugar and then mix on low speed until combined, about 1 minute.

Turn the speed up one notch and mix until the dough is quite thick and starting pull away slightly from the sides of the bowl, about 3 minutes. It will be very sticky at this point.

Increase the speed to high and let the dough mix until it comes together, making a slapping noise as it turns, the bowl is clean and there is a slight sheen to the dough, about 6 minutes.

Stop the mixer and make a windowpane test, by pulling off a small portion with floured fingers and stretching it out in all directions. You want to see a thin, nearly transparent film form that you can see light through if you were holding it up to a window.

If you can do this without tearing it, then the glutens are well developed and the dough is ready for rising. Add the piece back into the dough and give it a few turns with the machine to work it back in.

If it tears, then place it back in with the rest of the dough and continue machine kneading until it passes the test.

Coat the inside of a large bowl with olive oil and transfer the dough to the bowl. Fold the dough over itself several times. and then cover the bowl with plastic wrap or place it in a bag and let it rise at room temperature until it is 1½ times its original volume, about 2 hours.

Generously oil a 12x16” baking sheet. If you only have smaller sheets, then use two and don't force it to the edges. You will want to make two at no larger than 7x9” or so.

Remove the dough from the bowl with oiled hands and press the dough into the pan with your fingers so that it evenly covers the pan. If the dough resists, simply let it rest for 10 minutes and then try again. Keep repeating this till the dough willingly stretches into the corners.

Loosely cover the focaccia dough with plastic wrap and let it rest 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C/180°C fan, Gas Mark 6).

Uncover the dough. Use your fingers to firmly dimple the surface. Press down until you feel the hard surface of the pan, being careful not to tear the dough. Use a pastry brush to paint the focaccia with 2 tbsp of olive oil and then sprinkle it evenly with about ¾ tsp. of salt.

Topping:
Use a very sharp knife to thinly slice the lemons. Remove any pits.

Scatter the parmesan cheese evenly over the olive oil brushed surface of the dough.

Spread out the lemons over the cheese, laying them close to each other.

Sprinkle the surface with one final ¾ tsp. of salt and the cracked pepper. Finish with the rosemary sprigs

Drizzle the remaining olive oil over everything.

Bake the focaccia on the centre rack until it is nicely browned and the underside is crisp, about 30 minutes. Remove the tray to a cooling rack.

Let the focaccia cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Use a good, serrated knife to make clean cuts through the lemons and down into the puffed bread.

The lemon rinds if thin enough are totally edible. But if you choose not to, that's cool as well.

Store leftovers in an airtight bag at room temperature. Pieces can be reheated at 300F for 8 minutes or so to bring the crunch back.

Makes 12 slices.