If you're a bread lover, then you must try focaccia! This Italian flatbread is a delicious and versatile bread that can be served as a snack, an appetizer, or as a main dish. Made with simple ingredients like flour, yeast, and olive oil, focaccia is an easy bread to bake at home, and it's perfect for dipping in sauces, olive oil, or even using as sandwich bread.

The bread has a light and airy crumb with a tender, chewy texture. The crust is crispy and golden brown, making it the perfect complement to the soft, fluffy interior.

Focaccia is also incredibly easy to make. All you need is a few basic ingredients, a bit of patience, and a little creativity. You can experiment with different toppings and flavors to create your own unique version of this delicious bread. This recipe uses grilled olives and Sicilian extra virgin olive oil to create a balance between smoky and fruity notes. 

Grilled olives have a unique and distinctive flavor profile that is different from their raw or marinated counterparts. They also offer a delicious and unexpected twist on the classic olive taste, making them a great addition to any bread.When grilled, olives become more smoky and savory, with a slightly bitter and charred taste. The heat from the grill also brings out the natural oils in the olives, intensifying their flavor and aroma. Depending on the variety of olive used, grilled olives may have a mild or strong flavor, ranging from buttery and nutty to tangy and briny. The grilling process can also enhance any herbs or spices used to season the olives, creating a more complex and robust flavor profile. 

 

Sicilian extra virgin olive oil is known for its distinctive flavor profile, which is shaped by the region's unique soil, climate, and cultivation practices. It is made from a blend of different olive varieties, including the famous Nocellara del Belice, Biancolilla, and Cerasuola, which are grown in the volcanic soil of Sicily's hillsides and valleys.

Sicilian extra virgin olive oil is also known for its delicate and sweet aroma, which is reminiscent of freshly cut grass, artichokes, and almonds.  It is generally described as fruity, with notes of ripe tomatoes, green apples, and fresh herbs. It has a medium to high level of bitterness, which is balanced by a pleasant peppery kick that is characteristic of high-quality olive oils. This peppery sensation, also known as pungency, is caused by the presence of polyphenols, natural compounds found in olive oil that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Its unique flavor profile is the result of centuries of tradition and expertise that complements the flavours of the focaccia.

A little background on focaccia..

Focaccia is a type of Italian flatbread that has a rich history and cultural significance. The bread originated in Genoa, a coastal city in northwest Italy, and has been a staple food in the region for centuries.

Focaccia's roots can be traced back to ancient Rome, where soldiers would cook a flatbread on their shields over an open fire. Over time, the recipe for this bread evolved, and it became a popular food among the working-class people in Genoa.

Focaccia was traditionally made using simple ingredients like flour, water, yeast, and olive oil, which were readily available and affordable for most people. The bread was often used as a substitute for more expensive breads like ciabatta or baguette.

Today, focaccia has become a popular bread around the world, with many variations and adaptations to suit different tastes and cultures. It remains an important part of Italian cuisine and continues to be a beloved food in Genoa and beyond.

So if you're looking for a delicious and easy bread to add to your recipe collection, look no further than focaccia. With its versatile flavors and textures, it's the perfect bread for any meal or occasion. Try making it yourself at home, and enjoy the taste of Italy right in your own kitchen.