The early morning walk up the canyon is done slowly.
The path looks deceptively gentle, but as we climb, knees bent, hands free and backs laden with rucksacks, the ground before us rises steeply….
This is Utah. The hills of Utah. I’m out seeing Geology but taking in scents. Scents of the valleys, scents of the hills.
My nose is assailed with the scent of wild rosemary, growing in thick, midget bushes which flank both sides of the path.
I stretch out my right hand to pluck at some leaves which I crush with my fingers. I let the bruised needles fall to the ground and bring my fingers up to my nose.
I inhale the fresh herbaceousness and I know what’s missing – garlic, lamb chops and potatoes. If only could have a full roast dinner, perched on the mountain top.
Tuck in, tuck out. Pack up the remains in a brown paper bag and walk easily down a mountain.
Funny enough, I’ve always been mixed about my love or not for Rosemary.
Its been a one-herb wonder for me. Great with lamb…..and not much else. Enter Meyer lemon focaccia. Enter deensiebat and food52.com.
This recipe came to my fore on a night when I had bread dough in my fridge and Meyers on hand.
Breakfast the next morning was easy.
Wet dough spread out with floured fingers on parchment paper. Thinly sliced Meyer lemon, carefully spaced. Dried Rosemary pines carelessly strewn.
Oven baked till bread base turns golden. Then fired under the grill/broiler, about 6 inches down for a few minutes on medium till bronzed on top too.
Sweet with some slight pucker.
Bitter, sweet, savoury, floral, chewy and fragrant with the piney herbaceouness of Rosemary. No fresh Rosemary on hand – dry worked beautifully with no ill effects. I believe. I loved the  way the slices of lemons remain juicy, bitter, sweet and a tad salty.
My children hankered for more.
Twice it has been made and twice have we proclaimed sounds of greatness and love.
If you get a chance, and you love lemons, give it a go: Meyer Lemon Focaccia.
Have a restful weekend.[wpurp-searchable-recipe]Meyer Lemon & Rosemary Focaccia – – – [/wpurp-searchable-recipe]
[…] some gorgeous looking bittersweet Meyer lemon focaccia; just lemons and rosemary or amplified with olives and […]
I have no doubt about my love for rosemary, I adore that piney scent and flavor, so robust and a perfect pair for lemon (and lamb). Evidently for focaccia also!
Even cookies seem like they’d take well to the pairing, crumbly buttery ones!
What an unusual yet stunning looking foccaccia.
Thanks Wizzy – I have to agree on every count!
Oh wow, never had foccaccia done this way. Love the sugar crystals son the top, so pretty
Thanks Adrian – I like the touch of sweetness with the juicy, bitterness of the baked lemons. Its a totally weird and wonderful combination of flavours.
Hi Oz, I love how much you travel. It must be just wonderful. Your Foccaccia looks amazing.. I can just imagine biting into it:0 Wonderful post!
Lara, thank you sweetie.
A delectable Focaccia! The robust rosemary and sweet lemons are an enchanting flavor combination. I enjoyed the photos of Utah, a great post!
Deb, it is truly a combination to be discovered – lemony and herby.
Thanks so much for these beautiful pictures of Utah’s landscapes! And for such a great focaccia recipe…I love all things lemon and rosemary.
Me too Joanne, I totally love the wide, open landscapes of Utah and this bread!