SOURDOUGH FOCACCIA RECIPE

This is such a simple, forgiving, and adaptable recipe that I very nearly brushed off writing it up. Focaccia is a pleasure for me to make because of its versatility and variability. Savory or sweet; two-day fermented or same-day baked; in a round or spread out in a pan; it's going to be delicious just about any way. I'll note the plentiful options and side-routes you can take in the process along the way!

This recipe yields one full pan (approx. 9 x 13 in) of focaccia or two rounds (approx. 10 in diameter) of focaccia, and can be topped with just about anything you desire.

Tip: Make sure your toppings are sliced thinly, or else they can weigh down the focaccia and lead to soggy pockets. My current favorites include coarse sea salt, garlic, and rosemary; cherry tomatoes and basil; peaches, herbes de Provence, and goat cheese; and pesto and nuts.

TOMATO BASIL SOURDOUGH RECIPE

This naturally leavened, red-tinged loaf is the epitome of summer. Whole rye gives it a denser crumb and a delicious tang to bring out the acidity of the tomatoes and the freshness of the basil. And paprika gives it a flavorful zing and deepens its natural color. Pair this loaf with some bruschetta or a Caprese salad or even just olive oil and herbs, and you're in for the perfect summer meal.

Recipe yields 2 1-kg loaves.

TOMATO BASIL SOURDOUGH PROCESS

Mix

1. Mix the levain 6 to 8 hours before you intend to start mixing the final dough by dissolving 30g of mature starter into 120g of cool water in a medium mixing bowl. Mix the milky solution with 120g of strong bread flour and leave to ferment at room temperature, loosely covered.
2. When the levain is at its optimal fermentation point, it will have doubled in size and have bubbles pushing up out of the surface, but will not yet have started to recede in volume. Once it's ready, dissolve 250g of the levain into 390g of cool water in a large mixing bowl. You can set the rest of the levain aside to use as discard, or save it to perpetuate your original starter.
3. Add 305g of the whole, peeled canned tomatoes and 100g of tomato paste and mix well, breaking apart the tomatoes with your hands as you mix.
4. Sprinkle 30g of dried basil leaves, 20g of salt, and 15g of paprika over the solution and give it a stir to evenly distribute the spices before adding 610g of bread flour and 285g of whole rye flour and fully mixing to combine. The high percentage of rye will make the dough feel a little sticky, but resist adding extra flour unless the mixture isn't coming together in a cohesive mass.
5. Once thoroughly mixed, leave the dough to bulk ferment for four hours, performing two sets of stretch and folds one hour and three hours after the initial mix.

Shape

1. After four hours of bulk fermentation, the dough should feel stronger (more elastic) and have risen about 50 percent. Turn it out onto a well-floured surface and divide into equal 1-kg rectangular pieces using a bench knife or other cutting tool, and then pre-shape the dough by extending each of the four corners of the dough and folding them toward the center to form an envelope-style package, with the seam facing up, and then roll one edge over the other and leave to rest, smooth-side up, for about 15 minutes. This gives the dough time to relax before the final shape into a boule. Repeat with the other dough portion. While the dough is resting, liberally flour two bannetons or parchment-lined bowls for the boule to proof in before baking.
2. Once the dough has loosened and relaxed, scrape most of the flour off of your surface and flip the pre-shape over so the seam-side  is up. Working decisively and confidently, fold the edge closest to you over on itself, rotate the dough about 90 degrees (seam-side up), and repeat. Then, cupping your hands under the boule, pull back under the dough slightly to create surface tension, stopping if the dough tears or sticks to the table. If using a banneton, carefully deposit the boule seam-side up in the floured wicker basket. If using a parchment-lined bowl, gently transfer it so that the smooth-side is facing up. Repeat with the other pre-shape.
3. Let the boules proof for about an hour at room temperature before moving them into the fridge to retard for 12 to 18 hours, depending on your schedule. You can also skip the cold final rise and bake them the same day.

Bake

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees for 40 minutes, with your baking vessel(s) (dutch oven or oven-safe pot) inside to also preheat.
   1. If you do not have a pot or dutch oven, place a steam-making agent, like a cast iron pan (never glass), onto the bottom rack of the oven about 20 minutes into the pre-heat and boil enough water to cover about an inch of the bottom. 
   2. If you only have one pot or dutch oven, move one boule into the fridge to bake after the first.
2. Remove your baking vessel(s) from the oven and transfer your boule(s) in, either carefully flipping them out of the banneton so the smooth, lined side is face-up, or lifting the edges of the parchment and depositing the parchment and boules into the bottom of your baking vessel. Cover and place in the oven.
   1. If you do not have a pot or dutch oven, you can transfer the boules to a baking sheet, leaving ample room between them, since dough likes to grow together. After transferring the baking sheet to the top rack of the oven, carefully remove the steam-making agent and pour the boiling water in, away from any glass oven doors or exposed skin, as it will hiss and steam immediately. Pour in about an inch of water and return to the bottom rack of the oven.
3. Bake, covered/with steam, for 20-25 minutes, then remove the lid(s) and/or steam agent.
4. Bake uncovered for 20-25 more minutes. The bottom of the boule should sound hollow when tapped, and have an internal temperature of 200 degrees.
5. Remove from the baking vessel, repeating steps 2-4 for the second boule if needed, and let them cool for at least 3 hours before slicing, and for 6-8 hours for optimal crumb to prevent the high rye percentage from making the interior gummy.