Focaccia

Caramelized fennel and black olive focaccia recipe

Fennel is an out-of-the-ordinary (and delicious) topping for focaccia, but you could also add fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, onions or peppers. Don't forget the cheese — Parmesan works best sprinkled over the top just before baking.

Serves 6-8

Prep time: 5 minutes | Inactive time: 35 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Total time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• • 1/4 cup olive oil, divided

  • 3/4 cup warm water

  • 1/4 ounce active dry yeast

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 3 cups all-purpose gluten-free baking flour, plus extra to flour the work surface

  • 1 cup brown rice flour

  • 2 teaspoons coarse salt, divided

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1/2 cup fennel, ends trimmed, core removed, cut into narrow strips

  • 1/3 cup black Kalamata olives, cut in half lengthwise

  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves, for garnish

Directions:

• 1. To a small bowl, add the water along with the honey. Stir until the honey melts. Sprinkle the yeast over the top, and allow it to sit for 3 to 4 minutes, until it gets a bit frothy.

  2. To a large bowl, add the gluten-free all-purpose flour, the brown rice flour and the salt. Whisk to combine.

  3. Add the dry mixture to a stand mixer attached with the dough hook. Add the yeast mixture and 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and mix on low speed until the dough is smooth, about 8 to 10 minutes. If you don't have a stand mixer, then you can mix the dough in a large bowl, scraping down the sides, punching down and kneading the dough as you go.

  4. Turn the dough out onto a flat surface, and add about 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil to your hands. Smooth your hands over the dough, and transfer it to a bowl. Cover it with a clean towel. Let the dough sit in a warm spot for 25 to 35 minutes, until the dough rises to about double in size.

  5. As the dough is rising, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the fennel, and cook, stirring often, for about 15 minutes or until the fennel turns golden. Remove, and set aside.

  6. Add 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil to a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

  7. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface, and punch it down 3 to 4 times. Roll and stretch the dough to the size of the baking sheet (or smaller) and about 1/2 inch thick.

  8. Use your fingers to poke small wells around the dough. Brush the top of the dough with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Spread the fennel evenly across the top along with the olives. Sprinkle with the remaining salt, the black pepper, red pepper and the Parmesan cheese.

  9. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the edges and top begin to turn golden. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle with the parsley.

  10. Slice into squares or rectangles, and serve warm.