Focaccia with Baked Camembert, Dukkah and Honey

Crusty freshly baked bread with a round of oozy warm camembert in the middle, drizzled with sweet honey and topped with a sprinkle of sea salt and dukkah makes for an impressive snack to nibble on.

Serve it straight from the oven for maximum flavor. If you do not have the time or inclination to bake your own focaccia get some bread from the bakery but make sure it is more of a flatbread than a usual loaf style.

This lovely loaf is topped with honey and dukkah – a versatile Egyptian condiment that typically consists of a mixture of herbs, nuts, and spices. It is made by roasting and then coarsely grinding various ingredients such as hazelnuts, sesame seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and sometimes dried thyme or mint. The precise mix can vary significantly from one recipe to another, allowing for personal or regional tastes. You can make it yourself, or obviously use store bought dukkah (btw, dukkah is a great salad topping too).

I love the combination of salt and sweet with the softness of the bread and the richness of the cheese. You can play with the flavors as well. You could replace the honey with maple syrup or add flavor by using different kinds of honey (I do think the bread works well with the added sweetness but you can serve it without).

If you know your guests love their cheese, add two rounds of camembert to the bread instead of just the one. Enjoy!

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Step by Step Guide to Making Focaccia with Baked Camembert, Dukkah and Honey

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Dukkah Preparation:

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Toast the Nuts and Seeds:

• In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the hazelnuts until golden and fragrant.
• Remove and toast the sesame, coriander, and cumin seeds until they start to pop.
• Allow all nuts and seeds to cool.

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Grind the Mixture:

• Coarsely grind the hazelnuts, sesame seeds, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds together with salt and pepper using a mortar and pestle or a food processor.

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Focaccia Preparation:

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Prepare the Dough:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
• Make a well in the center and gradually add lukewarm water while mixing to form a dough.

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Knead the Dough:

• Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

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First Proofing:

• Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.

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Shape and Second Proofing:

• Punch down the dough and stretch it out on an oiled baking tray.
• Create dimples in the dough with your fingers.
• Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle sea salt and thyme. Let rise for another 20 minutes.

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Bake the Focaccia:

• Preheat your oven to 392°F (200°C).
• Bake the focaccia for 20 minutes until golden.
• Remove and let cool slightly.

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Prepare the Camembert:

• Cut a circle in the center of the focaccia to fit the camembert.
• Slice the top off the cheese and place it cut side up in the bread.

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Final Baking:

• Drizzle additional olive oil and bake at 338°F (170°C) for 25 minutes until the cheese is melted.
• Cover with foil if it browns too quickly.

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Serving:

• Immediately after baking, drizzle with honey, sprinkle with homemade dukkah, a few sprigs of thyme, and additional sea salt.
• Serve warm.

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