Pesto and Olive Focaccia (Bread Machine)

BakinBaby's Note:

The pesto and olive give the focaccia a very robust flavor. As a variation, omit the pesto and brush dough with olive oil, then sprinkle with snipped fresh basil and finely shredded parmesan cheese. This comes from my Better Homes and Garden Bread Machine Book.

• Total Time: 2 hrs
• Prep Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 12.0 wedges

• ¾ cup water
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons savory
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• ¼ cup ripe olives (coarsely chopped)
• ¼ cup pesto sauce

Directions:

1. Select 1 1/2 pound loaf size.
2. Add ingredients except pesto to machine according to manufacturer's directions.
3. Select the dough cycle, when the cycle is complete, remove dough, punch down.
4. Cover and allow to rest 10 minutes.
5. Place dough on greased 11-12" pizza pan.
6. Using the palms of your hands, pat dough into an even round just smaller than pan; using your fingertips, poke dough all over to dimple surface.
7. Spread pesto over the dough.
8. Cover loosely and let rise in a warm place 30 minutes; bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes.
9. Serve warm or cool, cut into wedges. Leftovers can be store in the freezer.

Reviews

[Deantini]

This bread came together nice and easy. I used my KitchenAid for mixing of the dough and let the bread rise for 45 min on the baking tray before placing in the oven. I reduced the oil to 2 tbsp, the amount of flour was spot on. I went with the olive oil / herb variation topping instead of the pesto. Made for ZWT 7 - by the Food.Commandoes

[~*lil_miss_SBC*~]

I used 1 C whole wheat 2 C bread flour, subbed green olives for black (that's all I had) and didn't use the pesto topping and it turned out very good! We dipped it in balsamic n olive oil.

[IngridH]

This is a really wonderful bread! I used kalamata olives and homemade pesto. The olives gave it a wonderful color, almost like whole wheat bread. While it was baking, the whole house smelled like pesto, and I couldn't wait to try it. I think this would make a wonderful paninni sandwich, which I will have to try. Thanks for posting- this is a definite keeper!