Potato and rosemary focaccia
A tray focaccia topped with very thin potato slices and rosemary. The potatoes form a light single layer over the dimpled dough.
Method
01 · Mix the wet focaccia dough
7–10 minUse: Strong white bread flour; Water for the dough; Extra-virgin olive oil for the dough; Fine salt; Instant dried yeast
Combine the flour, dough water, dough oil, salt and instant yeast in a stand-mixer bowl. Mix with the paddle on low for 4 minutes, scrape the bowl, then mix for 2–3 minutes at medium-low or the machine’s recommended speed.Ready when: The dough is sticky but cohesive, and begins to stretch rather than break.

01 Potato and rosemary focacciaMix until the dough begins to stretch. 02 · Fold during the bulk rise
90 minUse: Olive oil for the bowl
Coat a clean bowl with the separate bowl oil and add the dough. Cover and leave at 22–24°C for 90 minutes. At 30 and 60 minutes, lift one edge with oiled fingers and fold it over the centre; repeat around all four sides, then cover again. Prepare step 3 while the dough rests between folds.Ready when: The dough is aerated, elastic and noticeably expanded.

02 Potato and rosemary focacciaFold the dough as it rises. 03 · Prepare the separate additions
5–10 minUse: Waxy potatoes; Fresh rosemary leaves
During the bulk rise, scrub and dry the potatoes but leave them whole. Wash and dry the rosemary, strip the leaves and chop them. Keep the potatoes whole until the topping step so the cut surfaces do not stand for a long time.Ready when: The whole potatoes are scrubbed and dry, and the rosemary leaves are clean, dry and chopped.

03 Potato and rosemary focacciaPrepare the whole potatoes and rosemary. 04 · Ease the dough into the oiled pan
8–10 minUse: Olive oil for the tray
Line the base of a 30×40 cm rimmed tray with baking paper rated for 230°C, and brush the paper and tray sides with the pan oil. Transfer the dough with a scraper and ease it outward with oiled fingertips. If it springs back, cover for 5 minutes before continuing. Aim for an even shallow rectangle rather than forcing it into every corner.Ready when: The tray holds an evenly spread layer, with no torn thin patches.

04 Potato and rosemary focacciaSpread the dough in the oiled tray. 05 · Proof the dough in the pan
60–75 minUse:
Cover loosely and leave at 22–24°C for 60–75 minutes. After 20 minutes, gently ease the relaxed dough farther toward the tray corners if needed, then cover again. During the final 20 minutes, heat the oven to 230°C conventional.Ready when: The dough is puffy and jiggles when the tray is nudged; it holds a light fingertip dent.

05 Potato and rosemary focacciaProof until the dough is puffy. 06 · Dimple and add the measured topping
5–10 minUse: Waxy potatoes; Fresh rosemary leaves; Flaky salt; Extra-virgin olive oil for topping
Slice the potatoes 1–2 mm thick with a sharp knife, or use a mandoline with its hand guard. Toss immediately with the topping oil, rosemary and finishing salt. Make deep dimples in the puffy dough without tearing. Spread the potatoes in one thin layer with slight overlaps and some gaps; do not stack piles. Bake immediately.Ready when: The surface is evenly dimpled and lightly topped, with no heavy mound or large pool of liquid.

06 Potato and rosemary focacciaDimple and add the thin potato topping. 07 · Bake until the base and topping are set
25–30 minUse:
Bake on the lower-middle rack for 15 minutes at 230°C conventional. Reduce to 220°C and continue for 10–15 minutes. If the top darkens before the middle cooks, cover loosely with foil. Lift an edge with a spatula to check the base, and probe a thick bread area away from the topping.Ready when: The underside is browned and firm, the bread is set with no wet dough, and its centre reaches about 96°C. A knife tip passes easily through the potato slices; there are no firm raw centres.

07 Potato and rosemary focacciaBake until the bread and potatoes are cooked. 08 · Cool before slicing
20 minUse:
Leave on the tray for 10 minutes. Lift or slide the bread onto a rack, remove the baking paper, and rest for at least 10 minutes more before cutting into twelve pieces.Ready when: The base stays firm and the bread can be cut without crushing the crumb.

08 Potato and rosemary focacciaCool, then cut into twelve pieces.
What to look for
| Stage | Look / feel for | Needs attention |
|---|---|---|
| Mix the wet focaccia dough | The dough is sticky but cohesive, and begins to stretch rather than break. | |
| Fold during the bulk rise | The dough is aerated, elastic and noticeably expanded. | |
| Prepare the separate additions | The whole potatoes are scrubbed and dry, and the rosemary leaves are clean, dry and chopped. | |
| Ease the dough into the oiled pan | The tray holds an evenly spread layer, with no torn thin patches. | |
| Proof the dough in the pan | The dough is puffy and jiggles when the tray is nudged; it holds a light fingertip dent. | |
| Dimple and add the measured topping | The surface is evenly dimpled and lightly topped, with no heavy mound or large pool of liquid. | |
| Bake until the base and topping are set | The underside is browned and firm, the bread is set with no wet dough, and its centre reaches about 96°C. A knife tip passes easily through the potato slices; there are no firm raw centres. | |
| Cool before slicing | The base stays firm and the bread can be cut without crushing the crumb. |
Troubleshooting
| If you see this | Likely cause | What to do now | Next time |
|---|---|---|---|
| The dough springs back during spreading. | Its gluten is still tight. | Cover and rest briefly, then ease outward again without tearing. | Keep the dough covered and include the stated pan relaxation. |
| The top is browned but bread beneath the topping is wet. | The topping held excess moisture or the bread needs more time. | Cover the top loosely with foil and continue baking until the bread reaches its stated cue. | Drain wet ingredients, use the shallow tray and check the base and bread centre. |
Storage: Best eaten on the day. Cool promptly, then refrigerate covered leftovers within 2 hours of baking and use within 2 days. Reheat until hot through. Freeze wrapped pieces for up to 1 month.; Contains: wheat.; This Nepedia version has not been kitchen-tested.
Other approaches to this recipe
| Cook / recipe | Use | What differs |
|---|
The working ingredients and method form one recipe. Different formulas are compared without averaging their quantities or rise schedules.
