There’s nothing better than swiping freshly made bread through cold olive oil and a touch of balsamic vinegar with a cool crisp salad on the side—so why not put them all together? After finding this focaccia recipe, I’ve been whipping up batch after batch of it to indulge in for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it’s turned out perfectly each time I’ve made it. (I just scaled back the oven heat to about 430 degrees, and I’ve found it works best in an oil-coated cast iron skillet.) It’s perfectly crunchy and crisp on the outside and fluffy and soft on the inside.
Now on to the news! Jeff and I moved from Boston to Los Angeles! It’s been an exciting, stressful, wonderful and amazing transition. The weather here has been staggeringly beautiful, and I can’t believe I’m in a place that is seemingly winterless and endlessly sunny, although I already miss Boston quite a bit!
Now that I’m here, I’m currently looking for a job in between getting everything organized and put away, slashing and folding packing boxes and stuffing my face at the countless vegan-friendly restaurants I’ve discovered here. (I’m talking to you Happy Veggie, Pho Show, Yum Thai Bistro and Veggie Grill), it’s been a fantastic, exhausting but exhilarating transition already, and I’m excited about the experiences that lie ahead of us!
I am also excited to be physically near(ish) to some of ∙ my ∙ favorite ∙ bloggers, and looking forward to meeting more in person. Until then, here’s an insanely easy way to enjoy this focaccia recipe. It’s vibrant, clean and the textures work well together to create a light and colorful lunch or appetizer.
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FOCACCIA TOPPED WITH MÂCHE
- Total Time: 1 hours
- Yield: 2-4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 Super Easy Focaccia Recipe (press and stretch the dough so it’s on the thinner side)
- 1–2 TB olive oil
- 1–2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- sprinkle of coarse sea salt
- a few handfuls of fresh mâche, spinach or mixed greens
- a handful of cherry tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- Prepare the focaccia and set aside to slightly cool. Remove from the pan and drizzle the oil, balsamic and salt over the top. Toss the fresh vegetables over the top and serve immediately with a little extra oil and balsamic on the side, if desired.
- Cook Time: 1 hours
rika@vm says
Congratulations on the new move to LAX! Wishing you all the very best settling in and finding a new job! Jealous that you're living near these fave bloggers of yours! I wish they are near me, too, but if you ever come up to Oregon, pls let me know!
erinwyso says
Thank you, Rika! I would love to meet you someday!
karin says
Welcome to LA! We moved here from DC 7 months ago and are in love – the produce here will slay you, 365!!
erinwyso says
Thank you Karin! We've only done a bit of shopping so far, but all the produce we've seen so far has been incredible. We checked out the Saturday Farmer's Market in Torrance — simply amazing!
Amanda says
How exciting! I am seriously jealous of the recent LA weather – especially after the winter we had in Boston (and the cool temps that will not fade…grrr). Have fun exploring!
erinwyso says
Yes, this past winter was a beast! The LA weather is unreal — I can get used to this! : )
Larry Fletcher says
Welcome to LaLa Land! You're going to love it here. Try out our gorgeous Farmer's Markets up in Ventura some time. 🙂
erinwyso says
I will, thanks for the tip, Larry!
Catherine says
Veggie Grill! Jealous. Had the buffalo chik'n sandwich yet? I'm drooling ….
erinwyso says
oh yes, amazing! Perfect with a side of their mac and cheese …
Alex @ delicious-knowledge.com says
Congrats on moving to LA! While we are a few hours north, I try to get to LA as often as possible mostly for the food. No, always for the food. Real Food Daily, Native Foods, Veggie Grill, Crossroads. I am so jealous that you get to be near those places (and awesome bloggers!). Enjoy! That flatbread looks delicious!
erinwyso says
I hope to go to Crossroads one of these days — I've heard such amazing things about it and really admire Tal Ronnen! Have not heard of Real Food Daily, but will check it out, thank you Alex!
Randy Clemens says
Welcome to SoCal! Would love to cook with you sometime! I'm over in Glendale 🙂
erinwyso says
That. would. be. awesome! I'll bring the sriracha! : )
Lan | MoreStomach says
wow! you're west coaster! i was one once (in San Diego), for 13 months and i will say the weather was always always always so flipping lovely. how are the farmer's markets?
i have been on a major salad kick lately, using leftover bread to make croutons, will be incorporating homemade focaccia as either a pseudo pizza or sandwich as the weather warms even more and the salads and vegs come in from our csa stash.
erinwyso says
We've only been to one in Torrance so far, but it was amazing + kind of overwhelming — tons of fresh kale, maitake, fruit, fruit, fruit — pastries for Jeff and an overabundance of freshness and variety everywhere. I can't wait to scope out more!
Caitlin says
congratulations on your move across the country! after the winter we had, i started considering it myself. i can't wait to hear more about it!
erinwyso says
Thank you Caitlin … yes, this past winter was brutal! Looking forward to blogging all about our adventures here!
christine says
Glad the move went well – it can be very stressful!! Good luck with the job hunting, but enjoy finding your feet at the same time:) How lovely to have a choice of vegan eateries – they're like hen's teeth over here – maybe I should move, too, especially if the weather's good!!!!
erinwyso says
Yes, it was stressful, but balanced out well with excitement too! Thanks for the well wishes on the job hunt, Christine — it's been only two weeks, but I'm already starting to get a bit of cabin fever here. I can guarantee that the weather and food is excellent here — you wouldn't be disappointed at all if you moved here!
Jenni (aka Vegyogini) says
Welcome to LA! We are very happy to have you here. 🙂
erinwyso says
Thank you for your kind words, Jenni!
Andy says
Crucial new plant-based Thai place in Venice/Santa Monica area. You'll be hearing a lot about this place soon I think, tremendous!
erinwyso says
Thank you for the suggestion, Andy! Thai is one of favorites, so we will definitely check it out!
Christine (The Raw Project) says
Wow on the move, very exciting! It was stressful when we left the east coast for California too, but loving it.
Richa says
congratulations on the move! i am jealous of all you awesome bloggers now so close to each other 🙂
erinwyso says
Thank you Richa! Come up (er, down) and visit anytime!! xo
Johanna says
You guys are all so great!
Johanna says
I've made this twice, and the second time we put a homemade rustic kalamata olive tapenade on the bottom layer. I forgot to take a picture.
erinwyso says
Johanna, so happy you tried and liked! I still loved seeing your last set of photos!! : )
Tracy Ewing says
Try Native Foods and Kind Kreme! Welcome to Los Angeles.