I first made this 1-Hour Focaccia when I was cooking ‘Chicken Cream Stew’ for dinner and I really wanted to serve it with a nice crusty bread but I didn’t have any bread. I had heard about microwave enforced proofing for quick bread making, so I tried it. Microwave can make the dough warmer and definitely helps the proofing process. But, if you have only 1 hour to make bread, I believe you should add Baking Powder, that improves the texture.

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Makes

4 Servings

Ingredients

3/4 cup Warm Water *OR 1 cup, see ‘Method 3’
1 teaspoon Dry Yeast
1 tablespoon Sugar
2 tablespoons Olive Oil *plus extra
2 cups Bread Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
Salt & Herbs for topping

Method

1. Place Warm Water, Dry Yeast and Sugar in a bowl, mix gently and set aside.
2. Place Bread Flour, Baking Powder and Salt in a large heat-proof bowl, and mix to combine. Make a well in the centre and pour in the yeast mixture and Olive Oil. Mix well to form a soft dough. Knead for 2 to 3 minutes, adding extra flour if required, until smooth and elastic.
3. Alternative Method: Increase the amount of Warm Water to 1 cup. Just combine all the ingredients in a heat-proof bowl. Mix well to form a very soft and sticky dough. DO NOT try to kneed it.
4. Cover the dough with a plate or plastic wrap. Heat in the microwave at low power (150 to 200W) for 30 seconds, and set aside in a warm place for 20 minutes, then heat in the microwave at low power for 30 seconds again.
5. Transfer the dough on an oiled baking tray OR lined with baking paper. Drizzle some Olive Oil over the dough and use your fingers to flatten the dough into a 1cm thin large oblong.
6. Let it rise in a warm place for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 220℃.
7. Sprinkle 1 pinch Salt and some Herbs over, and bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden. *Note: Instead of Salt and Herbs, you can spread some Garlic Butter to make Garlic Focaccia.
8. *Note: You can cook this bread using a frying pan, grill pan, hotplate, etc.  Cook 4 to 5 minutes over low heat on each side.