Foccacia

This recipe is from America's Test Kitchen and is one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth!!!

• Ready In: 12 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 16
• Yields: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 ounces unbleached all-purpose flour or 1⁄2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 2⁄3 ounces warm water (100-110 degrees F, 37-44 C) or 1⁄3 cup warm water (100-110 degrees F, 37-44 C)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon instant yeast or 1⁄4 teaspoon fast rising yeast
• 12 1⁄2 ounces unbleached all-purpose flour or 2 1⁄2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 10  ounces warm water (100-110 degrees F, 37-44 C) or 1 1⁄4 cups warm water (100-110 degrees F, 37-44 C)
• 1  teaspoon instant yeast or 1  teaspoon fast rising yeast
•  kosher salt or  flaked sea salt, like Maldon
• 4  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2  tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped

Directions

1. For the biga: Combine first 3 ingredients in large bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until a uniform mass forms and no dry flour remains, about 1 minute. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature (about 70 degrees F or 21 C) overnight (at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours.) Use immediately or store in refrigerator for up to 3 days (allow to stand at room temperature 30 minutes before proceeding with recipe.).
2. For the dough:
3. Stir flour, water, and yeast (third through sixth ingredients) into biga with wooden spoon until uniform mass forms and no dry flour remains, about 1 minute. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 15 minutes.
4. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons salt over dough; stir into dough until thoroughly incorporated, about 1 minute. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature 30 minutes. Spray rubber spatula or bowl scraper with nonstick cooking spray; fold partially risen dough over itself by gently lifting and folding edge of dough toward middle. Turn bowl 90 degrees; fold again. Turn bowl and fold dough 6 more times (total of 8 turns). Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes. Repeat folding, turning, and rising 2 more times, for total of three 30-minute rises. Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to upper-middle position, place baking stone on rack, and heat oven to 500 degrees F (260 C) at least 30 minutes before baking.
5. Gently transfer dough to lightly floured counter. Lightly dust top of dough with flour and divide in half. Shape each piece of dough into 5-inch round by gently tucking under edges. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with 2 tablespoons olive oil each. Sprinkle each pan with ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Place round of dough in pan, top side down; slide dough around pan to coat bottom and sides, then flip over. Repeat with second piece of dough. Cover pans with plastic wrap and let rest for 5 minutes.
6. Using fingertips, press dough out toward edges of pan. (If dough resists stretching, let it relax for 5 to 10 minutes before trying again.) Using dinner fork, poke surface of dough 25 to 30 times, popping any large bubbles. Sprinkle rosemary evenly over top of dough. Let dough rest until slightly bubbly, 5 to 10 minutes.
7. Place pans on baking stone and reduce oven temperature to 450 degrees F (230 C). Bake until tops are golden brown, 25 to 28 minutes, switching placement of pans halfway through baking. Transfer pans to wire rack and let cool 5 minutes. Remove loaves from pan and return to wire rack. Brush tops with any oil remaining in pan. Let cool 30 minutes before serving.