If you have flour and yeast in your pantry, you have lunch covered

A six-ingredient recipe that relies on pantry staples

Sad desk lunches, no more! If you have flour and yeast in your pantry, you have a delicious and simple lunch awaiting you: Focaccia.

Focaccia is a delightful Italian bread that’s famous for its soft, chewy texture and its deliciously savory flavor. It’s often infused with olive oil, which gives it a rich taste and a slightly crispy crust. The dough is typically seasoned with herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano, along with a sprinkle of coarse salt that adds a nice contrast to the bread’s overall flavor profile. Focaccia can be enjoyed on its own, as a side to soups and salads, or even used as a base for sandwiches or pizza.

Rather than more complicated yeast dough recipes, focaccia comes together easily and only requires a little bit of forethought.

Give it a try for this week’s lunch and pair it alongside a lightly dressed salad.

Simple Focaccia Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 tsp kosher salt
1 cup warm water
1 ⅛ tsp instant yeast
½ tsp granulated sugar
Olive Oil
Optional herb additions (one or all):
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped (or ½ tsp dried)
- 1 tsp fresh parsley chopped (or ½ tsp dried)
- ½ tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)

Directions

In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
In a glass measuring cup or small bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar and allow to sit until bubbly (usually 5 minutes).
Add the yeast mixture to the flour and stir with a wooden spoon until a rough dough forms.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a reusable beeswax wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Remove the bowl from the fridge.
Oil an 8-inch round cake pan, cast iron skillet, or small baking sheet and place the dough in.
Cover with plastic wrap or a reusable beeswax wrap and let sit at room temperature for 2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 450-degrees.
Remove the cover from the pan—you should see that the dough has risen and fills the pan.
Drizzle the dough with oil and use your fingers to press into the dough, leaving little wells in the dough as you go.
Sprinkle with herbs (if using) and additional salt.
Add pan or skillet to the oven, turn the heat down to 425-degrees, and bake for 22 to 25 minutes until golden brown.