Transport yourself to the streets of Italy with our classic Focaccia recipe. This savory bread, topped with olive oil, herbs, and sea salt, is a delightful blend of softness and crunch. Perfect for sharing or as a side, this dish brings the flavors of Italy to your table.

Here's a simple recipe for Italian focaccia:

Ingredients:

 - 4 cups all-purpose flour

 - 1 1/2 cups warm water

 - 2 teaspoons active dry yeast

 - 2 teaspoons sugar

 - 1/4 cup olive oil

 - 2 teaspoons salt

 - Toppings of your choice (e.g., rosemary, sea salt, cherry tomatoes, olives)

Instructions:

1- In a bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, until the mixture becomes frothy.

2- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.

3- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.

4- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

5- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

6- Punch down the dough and transfer it to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press the dough out to fit the pan.

 - Use your fingers to make dimples all over the dough. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with your desired toppings.

 - Let the dough rest for another 15-20 minutes.

 - Bake the focaccia in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

 - Allow the focaccia to cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy your homemade Italian focaccia!

Nutritional Values

Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional values and benefits for each ingredient in your list:

All-Purpose Flour (4 cups):

  - Calories: 1820

  - Fat: 4 g

  - Carbohydrates: 380 g

  - Protein: 24 g

Benefits: Provides energy, essential for the structure of baked goods, and a source of dietary fiber and B vitamins.

Warm Water (1 1/2 cups):

  - Calories: 0

  - Fat: 0 g

  - Carbohydrates: 0 g

  - Protein: 0 g

Benefits: Hydrates the dough, essential for activating yeast and creating the dough's structure.

Active Dry Yeast (2 teaspoons):

  - Calories: 21

  - Fat: 0 g

  - Carbohydrates: 2 g

  - Protein: 3 g

Benefits: Helps dough rise by producing carbon dioxide; a source of B vitamins and protein.

Sugar (2 teaspoons):

  - Calories: 8

  - Fat: 0 g

  - Carbohydrates: 2 g

  - Protein: 0 g

Benefits: Feeds the yeast to help it grow; adds a slight sweetness.

Olive Oil (1/4 cup):

  - Calories: 480

  - Fat: 54 g

  - Carbohydrates: 0 g

  - Protein: 0 g

Benefits: Adds moisture and richness; contains healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.

Salt (2 teaspoons):

  - Calories: 0

  - Fat: 0 g

  - Carbohydrates: 0 g

  - Protein: 0 g

Benefits: Enhances flavor; regulates hydration and supports overall flavor balance.

Toppings of Your Choice (e.g., rosemary, sea salt, cherry tomatoes, olives):

  - Calories: Varies based on choice and amount used

  - Fat: Varies

  - Carbohydrates: Varies

  - Protein: Varies

Benefits: Adds flavor, texture, and additional nutrients depending on the toppings chosen.