HomeGoods Studio

November 24, 2020
by HG Insider

Entertaining and Recipes Gifting Seasonal Decor

Check out HomeGoods Studio – our new Instagram Live Class series that invites you to explore your creativity, get inspired, and try something new – all from the comfort of your home! Join our instructors as they guide you through three different classes: Focaccia Gardens, Holiday Videoscapes and Next-Level Gift Wrap.

Focaccia Gardens with Matt & Beau from @probablythis

Beau & Matt run the home lifestyle blog Probably This, where they cover home design, DIYs, and entertaining tips and tricks. In this HomeGoods Studio class, the dynamic duo showcased how to make Focaccia bread with a fun twist: Focaccia Gardens. Check out the full recipe at the bottom of this post, the supply list below, and watch the full video to follow along!

What you’ll need to get started:

- A smooth Bundt pan or a 9×9” square baking pan
- Dishes for organizing your ingredients
- A cutting board and paring knife for preparing individual ingredients (you may want to cut or make changes to your veggies along the way!)
- All of the vegetables and herbs you plan to use for your garden
- Olive oil and flakey sea salt for once it’s been decorated

Holiday Videoscapes with Sam Urshiro from @aww.sam

With the things looking different this year, Sam Ushiro, industrial designer, stylist, & blogger, is here to show you how to decorate your space for a video get together. During this HomeGoods Studio class, learn how to create beautiful holiday videoscapes and backdrops that will wow your family – even through a camera lens. See below for the supply list and watch the video above to prep for your virtual holidays!

Here’s what you’ll need:

- For the table:
  - Glassware or cups
  - Handcrafted Plates or Bowls
  - Festive Napkins
  - Silverware
  - Unique table runner and/or placemats
  - Serveware
  - Seasonal Décor (candles, bottle brush trees, ceramic light up houses, etc.)
- For your background:
  - Curtains
  - Seasonal Décor (faux fur snowballs, holiday deer, bottle brush trees, etc.)

Next-Level Gift Wrap with Amber Kemp-Gerstel from @damasklove

Amber Kemp-Gerstel, a craft & DIY blogger, is bringing you some creative gift wrapping ideas that will be sure to make you stand out this holiday season. During this HomeGoods Studio class, she will show you how to create gifts that look like holiday candies…because who doesn’t love something sweet?! See below for the supply list and tune into the above video to up your gift wrap game.

Here’s a rundown of everything you’ll need:

- Cylindrical Tube (examples include the cardboard tube inside of wrapping paper or paper towels for smaller gifts, or a mailing tube or repurposed food tin for larger gifts)
- Wrapping Paper
- Cellophane
- Ribbons
- Gift Tags
- Scissors
- Glue/Hot Glue
- Assorted gifts from HomeGoods

Focaccia Garden – Full Recipe

Takes 2 hours, including rising time.

First, let’s prepare the dough:

- - 1 cup warm water
  - 1/4 oz. active dry yeast (or instant yeast)
  - 1 tablespoon honey
  - 1/4 cup olive oil
  - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  - Raw vegetable & herb toppings

1.) Warm the water to about 105-110° F (as you don’t want to kill the yeast). Whisk the water, yeast, and honey to combine. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly, and then whisk in the olive oil. (if using instant yeast, no need to wait, just whisk with the water, honey, and olive oil and move on to step 2.)

2.) In a mixing bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the flour and salt (see below for kneading by hand). Pour in the yeast mixture and mix to combine before turning the mixer to high and kneading for five minutes, until elastic. At the end of the five minutes, it’ll be slightly messy still, but the dough should have an elastic feel and smooth appearance.

- NOTE: You don’t want to use more flour than is called for so correctly measuring flour is important to avoid overly-dense focaccia!
- NOTE: Kneading by hand this is an option if you don’t have a mixer! Once your yeast mixture has been added and mixed into the flour in step 2, dump out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and use the heels of your hand to knead for about 5-8 minutes, until the dough is elastic and somewhat smooth.

3.) Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl coated with olive oil (oiling up your hands makes this easier and less sticky) and cover with a towel—let rise for one hour in the warmest part of your home, until doubled in size.

4.) Once the dough has risen, grease your baking pan. Transfer your dough into the baking pan and gently press to fit the pan, slowly stretching it out. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.

5.) While the dough rises, set your oven to 450 degrees F and prep your toppings: could include scallions, capers, cherry tomatoes, and sweet peppers to make some fun designs, but feel free get creative with other toppings. Or just throw on some flakey salt and call it a day.

- NOTE: Make sure to choose toppings that can withstand being cooked at 450 degrees for 20 minutes.

6.) Once you’ve added all your toppings, drizzle with a little more olive oil and bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and cut into desired pieces.

7.) Enjoy your festive Focaccia Garden!

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