Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia


Here in Southern California  Mattei's Tavern, in Los Olivos, is a historical restaurant and a staple...

"The brilliant white building sits majestically on sprawling lawns and gardens, on the edge of the small town of Los Olivos.  Inside, the tavern can only be described as welcoming-lit fireplaces, cozy dining rooms and enticing aromas and from the open kitchen.  First built in 1886 as a stagecoach stop, the tavern was owned by generations of the Mattei Family.  As Felix Mattei said in 1888, 'We are first a restaurant, only by sideline a hotel.  Our menus are more important then our mattresses.  If people want a fancy hotel bedroom for the night, Los Olivos Hotel is for them.  If they want the finest food and drink in the valley-in the whole state, by garl, they will come to Mattei's' "


Two years ago my husband surprised my mother in-law, my mom and I with a a wonderful night out to the infamous Mattei's for Mother's Day.  This has quickly become a tradition in our family...

(Mattie's with Lo as a newborn)

The food is impeccable, the wine is delectable, and the ambiance is palatable.  

Think filet mignon, Pinot noir-braised short ribs, caramelized onion and potato gratin, Olallieberry Pie and Sweet-potato cheesecake!!  



As we left Mother's Day dinner last year I happened to pass by a Brother's Cuisine Cookbook.  I had to buy it!!  I immediately made their Strawberry Shortcake recipe, which so happens to be my most popular post, and fell in love!  

The past few days I've been craving bread.  I usually tend to get consumed in creating my own recipes and forget to pick up my favorite cookbooks to explore different original recipes; although I remembered the savoring thoughts of Mattei's delicious breads.  My all-time favorite is roasted garlic and rosemary focaccia and jalapeno cornbread.  Sometimes I actually look forward to indulging in their breads more then their fantastic foods.

If you have a standing mixer, dough hook attachment and a few hours...you will create the most delicious focaccia bread.


Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia Bread
Recipe adapted from Brothers Cuisine 
Makes 1 baking sheet loaf

Ingredients:
3/4 cup whole garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 cup olive oil plus 5 tablespoons
4 1/2 cups bread flour
2 teaspoons fine sea salt 
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup fresh rosemary, chopped
1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
2 cups warm water (90 degrees)
Kosher salt, for garnish
olive oil, for panning

Preparation

To make the roasted garlic:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In a small mixing bowl, toss the garlic cloves with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and spread onto a baking sheet.  Roast until soft and golden brown, about 15 minutes.  Check and stir every 5-8 minutes.  Remove and let cool.  Puree half of the rough-chopped garlic in a food processor, adding the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil to make a paste.  

For dough:
In a bowl of a standing mixer, combine flour, salt, honey and roasted garlic paste, rosemary and chopped roasted garlic.  

In a small bowl, whisk the yeast with 1/2 cup warm water until dissolved.  Add to the flour mixture.  Using the dough hook attachment, mix the dough on slow speed.  Slowly add the remaining warm water until dough almost comes together.  Add the olive oil, and mix until dough forms into a ball.  Scrape out dough onto a lightly floured surface.  Knead dough just enough to form a ball and place into a large. lightly oiled bowl.  Cover and let rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 45 minutes-1 hour.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with olive oil. Press the dough into a rectangle, about 3/4-inch thick.  Using your fingertips, press dents all over the dough (this gives focaccia it's classic look.)  Let the dough rise for another 45 minutes-1 hour, or until the dough almost doubles size.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (335 degrees for convection oven.) 

Just before baking sprinkle dough with kosher salt.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until light golden brown.  Be sure to rotate pan halfway through the baking process.  Remove and let cool on a wire rack. 

13 comments:

  1. Oh, how I love focaccia. I haven't made any from scratch in a while. Now I have a new idea to go along with dinner -- thanks!

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  2. That sounds soooo good. I love roasted garlic.

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  3. Wow this focaccia looks absolutely delicious and your pictures are gorgeous, as always! Saving this recipe for sure! xoxo

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  4. That was amazing!! Thanks for the sample! You are such an amazing and creative chef/ baker! xoxo

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  5. Oh goodness, that focaccia is absolutely beautiful!!
    And the picture of you and your newborn is adorable...I LOVE her flower! :)

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  6. Mmmmm...looks so simple yet so delectable. Nice cutie baby you have.

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  7. This was sooooo yummy!!!! Wrenn loved it too! Thanks for sending some home with us.

    Love the picture of you and little Lo. Too cute. :-) XOXO

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  8. Gorgeous photos of an equally delicious bread! I sure do wish I was a baker... Well done!

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  9. You always have such wonderful photos along with your awesome recipes! Can't wait to try this :)

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  10. Hi, just wanted to check if that is 1/4 TB of olive oil or 1/4 cup? I've known focaccia bread to have lots of oil, that's why I'm checking before I make it! Love your blog:)

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  11. Thanks so much friends! :)

    Nicole- Thanks so much!! Yes, you are right, It's 1/4 cup olive oil plus an additional 5 tablespoons (to roast the garlic.) Thanks for catching that!! :)

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  12. Hi! I'm really looking forward to trying this! I was just wondering, is the rosemary in the ingredients list just for garnish, because I didn't see it in the actual directions. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hi! So sorry! I updated the recipe :) You'll love this focaccia!

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