Pumpkin Focaccia

We couldn’t feature our Balsamic & Herb Dipping Oil in creative Thanksgiving uses without having at least one recipe using it for actual dipping! This is a fabulous focaccia bread recipe! Fluffy and crisp with earthy elements of pumpkin, EVOO, sea salt, and woody herbs. The savory, sweet, peppery, and herbaceous dipping oil pairs wonderfully with this bread, making it a fun and delicious side dish to serve this holiday season.

Serves 6 

Ingredients: 

1 ¼ cups warm water 

2 ¼ teaspoon dry active yeast 

3 ¼ cups bread flour 

2 teaspoons San Fran Sea Salt, plus extra for sprinkling  

½ cup canned pure pumpkin puree 

1 tablespoon Gil’s California Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus extra for drizzling 

Fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs 

Gil’s Balsamic & Herb Dipping Oil, for serving 

Instructions 

Sprinkle the warm water with yeast and set aside to rest for 5 minutes, or until the yeast becomes bubbly. 

Place the flour and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment and stir to combine. Add the yeasty water, pumpkin, and olive oil to the bowl and stir until a very sticky dough is formed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside to rest and rise for 2 hours. During those 2 hours (in 30 minute increments, 4 times total), using wet hands, pull and stretch the dough towards the center, cover, and continue to let the dough rest and rise. 

Heartily drizzle a baking dish or casserole with olive oil. Once the dough has rested, transfer to the prepared dish, and spread out evenly. Drizzle the top of the dough with olive oil and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside to rest, undisturbed, for 30 minutes. 

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Once the dough has rested, using your fingers press indentations into the dough while also stretching to the edges of the pan. Sprinkle the dough with rosemary and thyme, using your fingers again to press the herbs into the indentations. Sprinkle the dough with salt and place in the oven. Bake for 20 minutes or until the dough is crisp, golden, and fluffy. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly before slicing. Serve with dipping oil on the side.