Rosemary & Olive Oil Focaccia

Today, the weather was incredibly lovely. Who would have thought that I would have my a/c turned on while driving home from work in the middle of winter. The weather bureau said that today was the hottest day in the middle of winter in 26 years! It was 17 degrees centigrade! And mind you, I would rather have it anytime of the day than the expected 10 degrees at this time of the year. And so like the sunshine today, I was brimming with hope that today is a tell-tale sign that winter is not going to be icy cold after all. Tough luck. Or a matter of speaking too soon?

I couldn't understand in the past why Melburnians are rightfully obsessed about the weather. Much  to my chagrin, I would exhibit the same attitude after living here for quite some time now, uttering "What's the weather gonna be like today? in the same breath.

This side of town is as unpredictable as having four (4) seasons in a day; be ready to have an umbrella, sunnies (sun glasses), thick coat, light weight coat, a pair of boots, and a pair of havaianas in your vehicle. It is quite ordinary to go past winter at 6am, spring at 10am, summer at 2pm and autumn at 6pm. And the vicious cycle goes on the day after yet again. I have learned the trick of the trade - layer your clothes. At this time of the year, I have at least 4 layers of clothes, "jacket on, jacket off" depending on the so-called season in a day.

I suppose you learned to adapt; to fit into the mold to survive. 

And this story my dearest friends doesn't have any relation whatsoever to my focaccia food entry. LOL!  

Having said that, if I were given the chance to have my own bakery or patisserie, this Rosemary & Olive Oil Focaccia will show its formidable force and its constant presence is too hard to ignore amongst the spread of breads, pastries and cakes. And I hope its going to be a best seller. Because it is absolutely good.

Just like my hope that winter this year, is not going to be icy cold. Tough luck!

*Lifted from the pages of http://happyhomebaking.blogspot.com/

Rosemary & Olive Oil Focaccia
(make one small loaf)

Ingredients

250g bread flour
3.5g instant yeast
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary, plus extra for sprinkling
1/2 tablespoon sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling
137.5 ml water
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

Method:

Combine flour, yeast rosemary and salt in a mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the water and oil. Mix with hand to form a soft dough.
Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 ~ 10 mins until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Shape in to a ball and place in an oiled mixing bowl, cover with cling wrap and leave to rise for 1 hour or until double in bulk.
Knock back the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out to form a round. Press the dough into a 20cm (8") round pan. Cover with cling wrap and leave to rise for 1 hour.
Using your fingers, press indentations over the dough. Cover with cling wrap and leave to rise for a final 30mins until well risen.
Sprinkle dough with a little sea salt, drizzle with a little oil and scatter over some rosemary.
Bake in a preheated over at 200degC for about 25mins until risen and golden.
Cool on a wire rack and serve warm.