La Focaccia Italiana

Posted by admin on January 30th, 2008 — Posted in Diet

Most requested Italian Recipe! La Cucina Italiana! Buon Appettito!

La FOCACCIA Italiana

This can be prepared by hand, or with a kitchen mixer by using the bread hook and setting the mixer on stir.

Prep. time: Dough does it's own work 2 1/2 hours. Individiual work 15-25 minutes! Baking time 15 minutes.

May use either Dry/ Dry Active Yeast, or for Fresh Yeast skip to part two.

Part One

In a bowl combine together with a fork the following ingredients and allow the starter dough to sponge for 20 minutes.  

1 package 4 oz dry yeast

1/3 cup hot water 120 F

1/4 cup flour

1 Tbsp sugar.

The yeast mixture should have bubbled and increased in size.

(Optional) Peel and boil 1 small potato, allow to cool.  Mash with a fork. The potato provides extra levitation to the dough and gives a nice crunch to the crust.  Potato to be added in Part Two.

Part Two

Combine all ingredients in large bowl.  May use dough hook, kneading for 10 minutes.

Or by hand, kneading dough for 20 minutes.

Yeast mixture or fresh yeast.  (If using fresh cubed yeast break into pieces into a large bowl.)

2 ¼ cup flour

Potato, peeled, boiled, mashed (optional)

1 tsp salt

½ cup- (3/4 cup) warm water 115-120 F.  Start with ½ cup water and add more water if needed. Texture of dough should be supple and elastic, not sticky.

With a small amount of oil on your hands gently spread the oil onto dough ball, loosely cover dough in plastic wrap and bundle in a towel setting aside in a warm area to rise for 2 hours. 

OR, Place dough in bowl and cover bowl with plastic wrap, set aside in warm area to rise for 2 hours.

Part Three

Pre-Heat oven to 425 F

Generously grease cookie sheet with 2 tbsp olive oil.

Place risen dough onto cookie sheet and extend dough into any round or square form.

Traditional: halved cherry tomatoes gently pushed into extended dough.

Sprinkle on top of dough:

1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp Coarse Sea Salt, 1 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, Drizzle ¼ cup Olive Oil.

Bake in preheated oven at 425 F  for 14-17 minutes.

2 other types of Focaccia to enjoy: Thinly sliced onion and rosemary, or Oives (pitted) and cherry tomatoes. (May add anchovies,too.)

BUON APPETTITO!!!