Simple Sourdough Focaccia
- Make the Levain
- Make the Levain:
- Mix flour, water and starter as per above
- Keep at 27-30°C (80-85°F) if possible
- Mix the dry ingredients
- Whisk together the Flour and Salt in a large bowl
- Mix the wet ingredients
- In a separate bowl, combine the water and the levain and mix together well.
- Mix the wet and dry ingredients together
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir together with a spatula.
- Once they are incorporated, switch to a bowl scraper or just your hands and continue to mix until a uniform consistency is achieved.
- Start bulk fermentation
- Cover with a tea towel, foil or a shower cap so the dough doesn't dry out
- Place in a nice warm proofing spot - ideally between 27-30°C (80-85°F)
- Initial Bulk Fermentation Period
- Leave to begin the fermentation process
- Stretch and Fold
- Do one set of stretch and folds
- Second Bulk Fermentation Phase
- Cover it up again and then back to the warm proofing spot to continue bulk fermentation
- Stretch and Fold
- Do one set of stretch and folds
- Third Bulk Fermentation Phase
- Cover it up again and then back to the warm proofing spot to continue bulk fermentation
- Stretch and Fold
- Do one set of stretch and folds
- Final Bulk Fermentation Period
- Cover it up again and then back to the warm proofing spot to continue bulk fermentation
- Divide and pour into individual containers
- Divide into even portions for the number of loaves you are creating and gently pour into the baking pans you will use to bake them in
- One Last Rest!
- Now we let them do their final proof in the pans that they will be baked in.
- Preheat oven
- Preheat oven at 250°C (480°F) at least one hour before baking
- Add the toppings
- Add whatever you'd like: chopped tomatoes, peppers, onions, rosemary, etc.
- Drizzle with olive oil
- Sprinkle on coarse salt
- Bake at 200°C/400°F
- No need to cook on a baking steel or pizza stone
- Cooking with steam for the first few minutes can allow it to rise more freely before a crust is formed, so you can add 1 cup of boiling water to a preheated pan sitting at the bottom of the oven to allow just enough steam to be created
- Eat!