Focaccia is one of the easiest breads to make at home. The best part is that you can top it and infuse the olive oil with anything you want! I love the garlic and onion family, and that’s what I had lying around in my kitchen, so that’s what I went with!
-In a medium skillet, combine olive oil, garlic, green onions and shallots. Place the pan over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes or until aromatic, but before the garlic browns. Set aside.
-In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and maple syrup. Stir a few times then let sit for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of the flour and a 1/4 cup of the infused garlic-olive oil mixture. Stir 3 to 4 times until the flour has moistened. Let sit for another 5 minutes.
-Stir in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour and the salt. Once the dough comes together, transfer to a floured board and knead the dough 10 to 15 times until smooth. Transfer to a large oiled bowl, cover with a warm, damp towel and let rise for 1 hour. (It’s best to let the dough rise in a warmer area of your kitchen).
-After 1 hour, heat the oven to 450 degrees F. Use two tablespoons of the remaining garlic onion-olive oil mixture to oil a 9-inch by 13-inch rimmed baking sheet.
-Transfer the dough to the baking sheet then press it down into the pan. Use your fingers to dimple the dough then drizzle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of the garlic-olive oil mixture. Let the dough rise for 20 minutes until it puffs slightly. Top with the steeped green onions, shallots and garlic. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
