Herbed Fougasse: A French Flatbread with Natural Style

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Carbs are not the enemy.

It’s what I tell myself every single time I make bread, eat bread, and savor every big, fluffy mouthful of bread. Which obviously means I mutter the phrase more often than I would like to admit.

How could they be evil, when they look so beautiful in this rustic fougasse?

Fougasse is a stunning French flatbread that is similar to Italian focaccia. The crisp crust gives way to a spongy, slightly chewy crumb.

The unique design also adds to its charm. Fougasse is traditionally shaped to look like a rustic leaf, with freeform slits mimicking the veins and stem of the leaf.

There are no rolling pins, no molds, no bread pans – you design and shape it right on the sheet pan. Simply embrace the natural beauty of whatever design you want to make!

It’s perfect served warm from the oven, torn into pieces with your hands, or eaten with oil and vinegar as an appetizer before a meal. Or even serve during the meal! A rustic dish like our poulet saute a la paysanne Provencale would be the best main course to dip big chunks into the savory white wine sauce.

Foodal’s version of this bread mixes fresh rosemary and thyme into the dough, which creates an intoxicating burst of herbal aromas every time you shape and cut it.

And the scent intensifies even more as it bakes.

I like to time the baking process perfectly if I know friends and family are coming over – as they arrive, and open the door to the house, they are immediately greeted by the most amazing smells from the yeast and the lightly toasted herbs of the freshly made fougasse.

Once you tear off a piece, still warm from the oven, bite into the crust and enjoy the soft interior, you’ll soon be whispering the same five words along with me:

Carbs are not the enemy…

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Cooking by the Numbers…

Step 1 – Make the Preferment

A preferment, also called a yeast starter, is a fermented mixture that helps give fermentation a head start before making the bread dough. It contributes leavening power and additional flavor.

Pour the warm water into a medium bowl and whisk in the yeast. Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes. Stir in the all-purpose flour with a sturdy spoon and mix until it forms a shaggy mixture. Continue to stir until the mixture is smooth and slightly elastic. It will be a little loose.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and set aside for 3 to 4 hours at room temperature, or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator.

Step 2 – Mix and Rest the Dough

Pour the warm water into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the yeast, whisk by hand to blend, and let the mixture stand for 10 minutes.

Fit the stand mixer with the hook attachment. Add the preferment and the olive oil and mix on low speed for 1 minute. Add the flour, rosemary, thyme, and salt. Mix on low speed until it comes together in a cohesive mass, about 2 to 3 minutes. It will look wet and sticky.

Remove the bowl from the stand mixer, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let it rest for 20 minutes to allow it to fully hydrate before further kneading.

Step 3 – Knead and Proof

After it has rested, Turn the mixer to medium-low and continue to mix until the it is firm, elastic, and smooth, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough inside, and lightly roll it in the oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let it rise until doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Step 4 – Form

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Gently press down on the dough to expel some of the air bubbles. Cut the dough in half, and transfer each half to two baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Using your hands, lightly stretch and form the dough into a large leaf shape.

Step 5 – Cut Slits

Make the design, using a sharp knife to cut slits in the dough to resemble leaf veins: one slit down the center, then two or three slits at an angle on each side of the center. If using silicone mats, be careful to not cut through the material. Gently stretch out each slit to make decorative holes.

Use your creativity to make your own unique designs!

Step 6 – Proof

Cover both baking sheets loosely with plastic wrap, and let the dough proof for 30 to 40 minutes.

Step 7 – Garnish

Gently brush the surface of the proofed dough with olive oil, and sprinkle salt and chopped herbs on top.

Step 8 – Bake

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the bread is golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool slightly. Serve while still warm with butter, or double up on the fresh herbal flavors and dip in herb-infused olive oil.

A Leaf Like No Other

This bread is a natural beauty.

With its freeform design, the leaf-like fougasse is a unique showpiece, and an entertaining start to a meal.

It is meant to be served with the same effortless approach used to shape it. Just place it on a big tray, no bread knife required, and encourage everyone to tear off pieces with their hands.

It’s fun, inviting, and undeniably delicious.

With this recipe, I’m sure I can convince you that carbs are an ally, not an enemy. Remember that yeast in bread, when consumed in moderation, can actually be good for the gut!

I want to invite all of your to try and rate this recipe, and I hope you enjoy it! If you want to bake more bread at home, we have so many great recipes, and many that are gluten free as well, like our sorghum bread.

What do you think of the unique design of this fougasse? Are you excited to try your own cool shapes when you make it? Let us know what you think by writing to us in the comment section below.