Olive Fougasse

"Etymologically derived from the same root word as focaccia, a fougasse is a traditional style of bread originating from southeastern France. Combining the satisfyingly chewy crumb structure of an Italian focaccia with the signature flair of French baking, fougasses where often just as practical as they were palatable, way back when: prior to the widespread use of thermometers, some bakers would use the time it took to fully cook a fougasse to determine how hot an oven was. Now, we can’t speak to the temperature measuring abilities of Trader Joe’s Olive Fougasse, but we can tell you that its crisp, delicious crust, light, airy interior, and generously distributed slices of Kalamata and black olives make for one seriously delicious, anytime bread. Made in a fetching, four-sectioned design, which can be easily torn or cut into individual servings, our Olive Fougasse makes an excellent accompaniment to practically any meal. It can be served entirely on its own or with a bit of butter for spreading or olive oil for dipping, and can even be enjoyed as an especially flavorful bread for sandwiches. For an even crispier crust, we suggest giving it 3-4 minutes in the oven at 400°F, just prior to serving."