Is Fougasse The Same As Focaccia?

Italy's focaccia is fougasse in France. However, fougasse is shaped like a pretty leaf which is pretty easy, especially for beginners. (Speaking of beginner recipes, you can start from the top with my beginner sourdough bread recipe!)

What Do You Eat With Fougasse?

Fougasse is typically served whole as an appetizer and can be paired with cured meats, cheese, and a glass of wine.

What Is Fougasse Made of?

Fougasse is the French version of Italian focaccia bread, as it is generally made with fresh herbs and olive oil. One of the things that set fougasse apart from focaccia, however, is the addition of chopped olives, bacon, and cheese.

Is Fougasse Italian or French?

Fougasse is a type of traditional French bread, and very similar to Italian focaccia bread.

Easy Sourdough Fougasse Bread Recipe [Give It a Try!]

Name: Easy Sourdough Fougasse Bread Recipe [Give It a Try!]
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 15 mins
Total time: 8 hrs 45 mins
Yield: 1 loaf
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 100g sourdough starter; 150g water; 20g olive oil; 250g bread flour; 6g salt

Ingredients

Scale

100g sourdough starter
150g water
20g olive oil
250g bread flour
6g salt

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Instructions

Combine the sourdough starter with water, stirring until the starter is well dissolved.
Next, add the oil, flour, and salt into the bowl and gently stir the ingredients with a dough whisk or a knife. Cover the fougasse dough with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 30 minutes. The dough will be dry and shaggy but don’t panic, it’s all part of the process!
Transfer the dough onto the kitchen counter, and knead well using your hands. The dough should be very easy to work with, and with enough kneading should transform into a wonderfully soft and silky dough. Spend around 8-10 minutes kneading the dough.
Once the dough feels silky and elastic to the touch, place the dough into a warm bowl. You can warm a bowl with some water and then wipe it dry. The warm bowl will help the dough rise faster. Cover the dough with cling wrap or a damp tea towel, and leave it to rise until it has doubled.
Once the dough has doubled, shape the dough into a ball, and leave this on the counter covered with a tea towel, for 30 minutes.
Shape your dough into a rough oval using either your hands or a rolling pin. Place the fougasse-shaped dough onto a baking stone and lightly flour with semolina or a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Let the fougasse rest at room temperature for an hour until the dough appears puffy.
Once you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 450 degrees F, ensuring that it is very hot.
Take a razor or small kitchen knife and make some slashes in the dough. You can make any pattern you like, but I like to make several diagonal slashes so that the dough resembles a rough leaf. Pull the dough apart a little so that the slashes don’t close up while the dough bakes.
If you wish to include any type of topping i.e., kalamata olives, cheddar cheese, or bacon then you can add them at this stage.
Place your fougasse in the hot oven for 10-15 minutes or until it’s nice and crispy.
Remove the fougasse from the oven once it’s golden brown, then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and fresh rosemary. Serve and enjoy!

Author: Natasha Krajnc
Prep Time: 8 hrs 30 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Category: bread
Cuisine: French

Nutrition

Calories: 585 kcal
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Carbohydrates: 100g
Protein: 16g