There’s something undeniably comforting about warm, freshly baked focaccia — the golden crust, the soft interior, and the rich olive oil aroma that fills the kitchen. At Gertrude Grocer, we’re proud to stock Impasto Forno Antico focaccia, delivered fresh daily and made using traditional Italian methods.
Whether you’re planning an easy weeknight dinner, a weekend brunch, or simply want to improve your lunch game, focaccia is the perfect base to build flavour-packed meals. From gourmet sandwiches to creative breakfast ideas, this post shares five delicious ways to use this authentic Italian bread — all using ingredients available at Gertrude Grocer.
Why We Love Impasto Forno Antico Focaccia
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Baked fresh daily for unbeatable texture and flavour
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Traditional Italian recipe using high-quality flour and extra virgin olive oil
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Perfect as a side, base, or centrepiece to a dish
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Available in-store at Carlton and Kensington, or online for click & collect: Shop Bread & Bakery Now
5 Creative Focaccia Recipes to Try This Winter
1. Warm Focaccia Breakfast Sandwich
Perfect for: Weekend brunch or breakfast on the go
Ingredients from Gertrude Grocer:
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Impasto Forno Antico focaccia (cut into squares)
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Free-range eggs
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Donnybrook smoked bacon
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Fresh baby spinach
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Bocconcini or aged cheddar
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Koala tomato chutney or Lil Bella tomato relish
Instructions:
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Cut the focaccia horizontally to create sandwich slices.
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Fry the bacon until crispy and cook your eggs (fried or scrambled).
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Warm the focaccia slices in a pan or toaster.
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Layer chutney, spinach, bacon, eggs, and cheese inside the focaccia.
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Serve warm for a filling, café-style breakfast.
2. Focaccia Pizza with Italian Flair
Perfect for: Quick dinners or casual entertaining
Ingredients from Gertrude Grocer:
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Focaccia base
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Rosso passata or Lil Bella pizza sauce
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Mozzarella cheese
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Don Antonio anchovies or spicy salami
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Basil and oregano
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Optional: Olives, roasted capsicum
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 200°C.
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Spread sauce on the focaccia and add toppings generously.
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Sprinkle herbs and bake for 8–10 minutes until cheese bubbles.
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Serve with a side salad and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
3. Winter Vegetable Focaccia Sandwich
Perfect for: Healthy vegetarian lunch or dinner
Ingredients from Gertrude Grocer:
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Focaccia squares
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Roasted butternut squash or pumpkin (prepped from veg section)
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Kale or rocket leaves
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Goat cheese or ricotta
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Italianveera balsamic glaze
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Toasted pine nuts or walnuts
Instructions:
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Roast your squash/pumpkin until soft and golden.
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Toast focaccia halves lightly.
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Layer greens, squash, cheese, nuts, and a drizzle of balsamic.
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Serve warm or cold for a hearty plant-based meal.
4. Classic Italian Antipasto Focaccia Platter
Perfect for: Grazing boards, entertaining, or a light dinner
Ingredients from Gertrude Grocer:
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Focaccia cut into strips
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Auricchio provolone or aged parmesan
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Marinated olives
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Chargrilled artichokes
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Sopressa, prosciutto or truffle salami
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Farinacci fig & balsamic relish or similar
Instructions:
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Arrange focaccia strips around a platter.
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Add sliced meats, cheese cubes, and antipasto veggies.
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Serve with dips or a glass of wine (suggest a local wine shop for pairing).
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Let guests build their own bites — no cooking required!
5. Garlic & Herb Focaccia Croutons for Winter Soups
Perfect for: Soup toppers or hearty salads
Ingredients from Gertrude Grocer:
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Day-old focaccia
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Italian herb mix (rosemary, thyme)
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Extra virgin olive oil
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Smoked sea salt
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 180°C.
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Cut focaccia into bite-sized cubes.
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Toss in olive oil, herbs, and salt.
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Bake for 10–12 minutes until crispy and golden.
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Serve over roasted tomato soup, pumpkin soup, or Caesar salad.
🛒 Where to Buy Your Focaccia & Ingredients
All featured ingredients — including our daily delivery of Impasto Forno Antico focaccia — are available in-store at Carlton and Kensington or online for click & collect at: