Nigel Slater's Olive and Parsley Focaccia

DrGaellon's Note:

Focaccia is about the easiest of all breads to make, even easier than No-Knead Bread, which can be fussy about timing. It needs a little kneading, but that's easy if you have a stand mixer (and not much harder without). And it's ready to eat in about 2 hours. Adapted from a recipe on the UK Guardian website.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs 40 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 15

Yield: 15.0 3-inch ...

• 1 lb bread flour (3-4 cups) or 1 lb all-purpose flour (3-4 cups)
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons yeast (7 grams)
• 13 ½ ounces warm water (1 1/2 cups plus 3 tbsp)
• cornmeal , for the pan
• ¾ cup green olives or ¾ cup black olives , pits removed then roughly chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 garlic clove , roughly chopped
• ½ cup chopped flat leaf parsley
• 4 sprigs thyme , leaves only
• sea salt

Directions:

1. Combine the flour, salt and yeast in a large bowl and stir with a fork, or use a stand mixer with paddle attachment and spin briefly on low to combine.
2. The water should be just about body temperature - 98-100°F Add the water a little at a time until fully incorporated. Add more flour if needed; the proper consistency should be sticky when poked with a dry, unfloured finger, but the dough should come off the skin easily.
3. Knead on a dry floured work surface for five minutes (or change the paddle attachment to the dough hook and knead on high in the stand mixer).
4. Oil a large bowl and turn the kneaded dough into it. Turn the dough over once to coat all sides with oil. Drape a clean towel over the bowl and set it in a warm place to rise until it has doubled in size, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Prepare a 10x13" baking pan by brushing the inside with oil, then scattering a little bit of cornmeal (not enough to fully coat the surface). Spread the dough into the pan; it does not need to fill the pan completely, but it should be an even thickness. Cover again with your clean towel and let rise in a warm place another 30 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425°F Combine olives, olive oil, garlic, parsley and thyme in a small bowl. When dough is risen, poke 15-20 holes in the surface with a floured finger. Spoon the topping over the surface, being sure to get some into the holes. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt (I like Maldon).
7. Bake 25-30 minutes until light golden-brown. Drizzle with additional olive oil if desired. Transfer to a rack and cool 5 minutes, then serve warm.