Meghan Markle’s Focaccia Bread recipe - With love, Meghan Duchess of Sussex

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself binge-watching ’With Love, Meghan’. It wasn’t exactly on my must-watch list, but an acquaintance, who also happens to be the editor of a Christian women’s magazine, Woman Alive, in the UK, had commissioned me to write an article for their publication. They interviewed me back in 2020, and I’ve since written for them about the world’s criticism of Meghan on two occasions.

I have my personal opinions on Meghan, but that’s by the by, I hope you agree that the public and media treatment of her has been incredibly ugly.

I also have to confess: I had already written most of it before ever pressing play on the show. Why? Because, honestly, I think Meghan needs a break, and keeping an eye on the global press ahead of the release, I already knew what I wanted to say. Regardless of what I thought of the show (quite pretty), I think there is actually a deeper meaning to it all beyond recipes, her celebrity friends, and the pretty Montecito setting.

This is her fresh start, and I believe we are all deserving of one, it’s the very backbone of The Darling Academy’s values! My first book, Ladies Like Us is a testimony of my own, and hopefully its message via the book and this blog can be an encouragement to you too.

We all need a gentle reminder from time to time that we must try and follow the golden rule, because at the end of the day - who among us has not made a mistake, tried something that didn’t work out, put our foot in it, or just needed to pack it all in, hold our hands up and admit it didn’t work and decided to try again!?

The Golden Rule, as stated in Matthew 7:12, says: “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” It’s a fundamental ethical principle that calls us to treat others as we wish to be treated.

Regardless of one’s faith - or lack thereof - this principle speaks to the very heart of humanity, to all mankind. And when you really think about it, the word itself says it all: man KIND.

Whatever opinions we may hold about Meghan’s past, whatever narratives the media has fed us over the years, and whatever our thoughts on Megxit - none of it changes a simple truth: every woman deserves grace. Every woman deserves a second chance. If you were in her shoes, wouldn’t you long for the same?

©Netflix

Meghan Markle’s Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe

With Love, Meghan is an absolute feast for the eyes. At times, I genuinely wondered if Meghan had stepped straight into one of my Pinterest boards - the dreamy kitchen, the effortlessly elegant wardrobe, the warm, inviting atmosphere. It was pure aesthetic perfection.

The Darling Academy community largely agreed: it was a charming, agreeable watch. Nothing particularly groundbreaking for the seasoned homemaker, but still a lovely way to pass an afternoon with a cup of tea, or an evening where you want to watch something that isn’t too taxing.

That said, I couldn’t help but notice one thing - there was a distinct lack of actual measurements and step-by-step cooking instructions. More often than not, it felt like Meghan was just winging it. I later discovered that the recipes are available on the Netflix’s show notes, but at the time, I was feeling particularly inspired to bake her focaccia. So, I took matters into my own hands and whipped up a focaccia loaf, finding some easy recipes via my usual trusted books and blogs. It’s slightly annoying I couldn’t copy it down easily from the show…

Which begs the question: will we see a With Love, Meghan cookbook in the near future? Is that why she held back on the details? It seems like an obvious next step, and I’d be surprised if she didn’t take it. I’d be quite shameless and probably buy it too! It’s bound to be pretty inspirational, if not aspirational at the very least.

©Netflix

In the meantime, here’s the exact focaccia recipe from the show. It’s not too dissimilar from the one I found online. Meghan wasn’t wrong - it really is simple to make this! We enjoyed ours with a BBQ and salad in the lingering warmth of late summer. As the cooler months roll in, I’ll definitely be making it again, paired with a cosy bowl of soup. It’s a bread that can transcend any seasonal dish.

Meghan’s focaccia recipe turned out beautifully, and I’m kicking myself for not snapping a photo or video when I cut into it, but honestly, we were too busy devouring it to think about pictures. You’ll have to try it for yourself!

Ingredients for Meghan Markle’s Focaccia Bread recipe

• 2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for drizzling/coating the pan as well as the focaccia
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast (or a 7g sachet)
• 1 cup warm water (blood temperature)
• 1-3 sprigs of rosemary leaves
• Flaky sea salt, to taste

How to make Meghan Markle’s Focaccia Bread

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the water, yeast, flour, and olive oil until a shaggy dough forms.
2. Add the salt and mix until the dough comes together. It will be sticky.
3. Coat the top of the dough with a thin layer of olive oil and cover with a tea towel.
4. Place dough in a warm place and let rise for 2 hours.
5. Preheat the oven to 220° Celcius / 425° Fahrenheit.
6. Once the dough has risen, place it into a well-oiled enamelled cast-iron pan (like this one) or a baking pan with high sides.
7. Gently stretch the dough to the edges of what you are baking it in - it will spring back, but the second rise will help it fill the space.
8. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and put in a warm place to let rise in the pan for another 30 minutes.
9. Once dough is ready, coat your hands in olive oil and gently dimple the top of the dough to create small wells with your fingers. Some bubbles may emerge, that’s a good sign! Don’t be tempted to pop them, just leave them be.
10. Drizzle generously with more olive oil, rosemary, and flaky sea salt.
11. Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden.
12. Remove from the oven and carefully from the pan onto a cooling rack.
13. Slice into long rectangles, or squares, serve, and enjoy!

Golden bakes, and Golden rules

Long-time readers will know that I can never write a post without somehow finding a way to weave in a lesson on grace…

In a world that often feels divided, the Golden Rule remains a simple yet profound guide for how we interact with others. Whether or not you come from a faith background, choosing kindness, grace, and understanding creates a ripple effect that reaches far beyond ourselves.

When we step back and truly embrace the idea of treating others as we would want to be treated, we begin to see the power of small, everyday choices - offering a kind word, extending forgiveness, or simply listening with an open heart.

So, as we go about our days, let’s remember that kindness isn’t just a virtue, it’s a calling. And perhaps, in living this out, we’ll reflect something greater than ourselves: a world that’s just a little more kind.

I truly believe Meghan is tapping into something beautiful with her expression of hospitality. It’s not about perfection, elaborate homemaking, or intricate recipes - it’s about something deeper. It’s a quiet yet powerful reminder to open our hearts, open our homes, and bring warmth and beauty into the lives of those around us. Because true hospitality isn’t about impressing, it’s about inviting, embracing, and making life a little lovelier, wherever we can.

With love,