Quick, Rustic Olive, Rosemary & Garlic Focaccia

Every appetizer table benefits from one warm element—whether it's a crusty baguette from the bakery or something fresh from the oven.

For this gathering, we like to prepare a quick olive focaccia using refrigerated pizza dough. While it doesn't replace or replicate a traditional focaccia, it's an easy shortcut that fills the kitchen with the wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread and comes together with very little effort.

Quick Olive Focaccia

Ingredients

• 1 package refrigerated pizza dough
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced or halved (or both!)
• Sliced black or green olives
• Fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• Flaky sea salt
• Edible flowers (optional, for color)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Generously coat the bottom of a 10 x 10-inch square baking pan (or a similar rectangular pan) with extra virgin olive oil.
3. Place the dough into the pan and gently stretch it toward the edges. If time permits, cover and let it rest in a warm place for about 1-2 hours to allow dough to raise.
4. Drizzle a little olive oil over your fingertips and firmly dimple the dough all over. The dimples help trap the olive oil, creating the signature texture and keeping the bread wonderfully moist.
5. Scatter the minced garlic, sliced olives, chopped rosemary, and edible flowers over the dough. Lightly brush the surface with water, sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt, and finish with another generous drizzle of olive oil.
6. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the focaccia is beautifully golden and the edges are lightly crisp.  

Serve warm with a shallow dish of extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar for dipping. Fresh from the oven, the aroma alone welcomes guests into the kitchen and gives everyone a reason to gather around the table.  Sprinkle some fresh edible flowers on top to add color.

Armand's Tip: While the dough is rising, prepare the garlic, olives, rosemary, and edible flowers so everything is ready to assemble just before baking. A final drizzle of high-quality olive oil after baking adds beautiful flavor and a subtle sheen.