Feta and Tomato Focaccia

Posted by Margalit

I've found that serving antipasto during hot summer nights give everyone a chance to eat what they want. Tonight it was sort of Greek night at our house, with stuffed dolma, spanikopita (right from the box), a large Greek salad, some Greek sausages with orange pieces, and this Greekish focaccia. A wonderful repast, enjoyed by all.

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Feta and Tomato Focaccia

2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
1 1/3 cups water, warm (100-110F)
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp olive oil
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
2-3 tomatoes (pref. colorful heirlooms)
3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
handful fresh thyme or lemon thyme
extra olive oil/vegetable oil, for handling dough

Combine yeast, warm water and honey in a large bowl and leave until yeast is foamy, about 10 minutes.
Stir in olive oil, 3 cups flour and salt, mixing until the dough comes together.
Add remaining flour gradually (adding a bit extra if necessary), mixing until the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl.
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 4 minutes (or “knead” for 2 minutes with the dough hook of an electric mixer). Dough may be slightly sticky.
Place in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Gently turn out the dough onto a lightly greased 10×15-inch jelly-roll pan.
Grease your hands with olive/vegetable oil.
Flatten dough gently into a rectangular shape.
Splay your fingers and press into dough, indenting it and pushing it out towards the sides of the pan (much like a cat kneading a blanket) until the pan is full. This will help keep the air bubbles in the dough.
Cover with a clean dishtowel and let rise for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400F.
Slice tomatoes very thinly.
When dough has risen, place tomato slices on top of dough and top with crumbled feta.
Sprinkle with thyme leaves.
Bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes, until bread is golden brown on the bottom (peek underneath with a spatula) and lightly browned on top. Let cool in pan for 15-20 minutes before removing it to a wire rack to cool completely.