Description
This Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread offers a unique twist on traditional focaccia by incorporating tangy dill pickles, aromatic garlic sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese. Perfect as a savory snack or appetizer, this bread is fluffy, flavorful, and topped with fresh dill for an extra burst of herbaceous freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- â…“ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Sauce Ingredients
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dill weed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Toppings
- 25-30 dill pickle slices
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh dill, roughly chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Activate Yeast and Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently and let it rest for 5 minutes until the mixture is frothy. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and kosher salt. Pour half of this oil mixture into the yeast mixture. Add the all-purpose flour and stir until combined. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Make Garlic Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, whole milk, lemon juice, minced garlic, dill weed, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Stir well until the sauce is smooth and well blended.
- Prepare Skillet and Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Pour the remaining half of the olive oil mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Use a pastry brush to coat the entire bottom and sides of the skillet evenly with this oil.
- Shape Dough and Add Toppings: Add the risen dough to the skillet, spreading and pressing it evenly to the edges. Using your fingers, create characteristic focaccia dimples all over the surface of the dough. Evenly spread the prepared garlic sauce across the dough. Arrange the dill pickle slices on top, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over everything.
- Bake Bread: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes or until the crust becomes golden brown and the mozzarella cheese is bubbly and browned.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the focaccia from the oven and immediately garnish with freshly chopped dill. Slice and serve warm for best flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the water used to activate the yeast is between 105°F and 115°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Using a cast-iron skillet helps achieve a crispy crust, but a similar oven-safe pan can be used if necessary.
- Dill pickles add a tangy crunch that complements the savory garlic sauce and cheese; substitute with bread-and-butter pickles if preferred for a sweeter note.
- Fresh dill garnish enhances the flavor with an aromatic finish; it can be omitted if unavailable.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream and mayonnaise with vegan alternatives and use a plant-based cheese.
