Skip to main content
Epicurious

Fougasse with Provencal Herbs

4.2

(15)

Image may contain Human Person Bakery Shop Clothing and Apparel
Fougasse with Provencal HerbsGeorges Vernon and Margaret Skinner

Fougasse aux Herbes de Provence

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 2

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water (105°F to 115°F)
1 teaspoon dry yeast
4 cups (about) unbleached all purpose flour
2 tablespoons dried herbes de Provence*
2 teaspoons fine sea salt
4 tablespoons olive oil
Yellow cornmeal
*A dried herb mixture available at specialty foods stores and in the spice section of some supermarkets. A combination of dried thyme, basil, savory and fennel seeds can be substituted.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Pour 1 1/2 cups warm water into large bowl; sprinkle yeast over. Let stand until yeast dissolves, about 10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon herbes de Provence and sea salt, then 2 tablespoons oil until well blended. Mix in enough flour, 1 cup at a time, to form thick and slightly sticky dough.

    Step 2

    Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Form into ball. Oil large bowl. Add dough; turn to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, then towel. Let rise in warm draft-free area until doubled, about 1 hour.

    Step 3

    Position 1 rack in center and 1 rack in top third of oven and preheat to 450°F. Sprinkle 2 baking sheets generously with cornmeal. Punch dough down. Turn out onto floured surface; divide in half. Press out each half to 11x8-inch irregularly shaped oval. Transfer to prepared baking sheets. Brush each oval with 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle each with 1 1/2 teaspoons herbes de Provence. Using sharp knife, make several 2-inch-long cuts in each oval (do not cut through edges), spacing cuts evenly apart and cutting through dough to work surface. Pull dough apart at cuts to create openings. Cover loosely with plastic; let rise in warm draft-free area until slightly puffed, about 20 minutes.

    Step 4

    Place dough in oven. Immediately pour about 1/4 cup water onto bottom of oven, creating steam. Bake breads until golden on top and slightly crisp on bottom, switching sheets between racks and turning front of each sheet to back of oven halfway through baking, about 18 minutes. Transfer sheets to racks; cool breads 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

TagsBreadFrenchEuropeanYeastCornmealFlourBakingBon Appétit
Read More
Mango Sticky Rice
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
Easy Egg Custard
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
Simple Hot Cocoa for One
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Béchamel Sauce
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
Peach-Blueberry Crumb Pie
The best fruit pie, complete with a brown sugar streusel topping.
Chicken and Cabbage Stir-Fry
Juicy ground chicken and charred cabbage are the stars of this family-friendly meal.
Dulce de Leche
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Juicy Bison Burger With Cucumber–Red Onion Slaw
Upgrade any cookout—or keep the cooking on the stovetop—with these smashed cast-iron bison burgers, then stack with lemon mayo and a crisp cucumber-onion slaw.