Cabot Seriously Sharp Shrimp Focaccia Recipes

GRANDMA PEGGY'S FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and add cold water to cover by an inch. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer until the potatoes are fork-tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and mash into a creamy consistency; cover to keep warm.
• In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup warm water. Stir in the sugar and set aside until the mixture blooms with a slightly foamy top, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add the bread flour, semolina flour, mashed potatoes, olive oil, 4 teaspoons of the salt and 3 cups warm water to the large bowl with the yeast and mix with a wooden spoon until the ingredients come together into a soft, wet and uniform dough.
• Transfer the dough to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Knead on low speed, gradually increasing the speed to medium, until the dough is firm and has a smooth consistency, 8 to 9 minutes. Kneed in 1 to 2 additional tablespoons flour if the dough doesn't appear firm and smooth. Place the dough in a large greased bowl, cover with a dish towel and let rise at room temperature in a dark area until doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Evenly grease a baking sheet with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the baking sheet and lightly stretch and press it towards the sides of the baking sheet until the dough is about 1/2 inch thick (it will not reach the sides). Let the dough sit for 10 minutes.
• Continue to stretch the dough to the sides of the baking sheet using your fingertips; this time it will reach the sides. Cover the dough again and let it rise for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
• Dimple the focaccia all over using your fingertips. Drizzle olive oil over the top of the dough and arrange the cherry tomatoes over the top cut-side down. Garnish with the oregano and remaining sea salt.
• Bake until the focaccia is golden brown and a toothpick or knife inserted in the middle comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Allow it to cool completely on the baking sheet.
• Enjoy immediately or wrap it tightly and store on the countertop for up to 3 days.

RED GRAPE FOCACCIA

Steps:

• On the day or the night before, cut up 1 potato into quarters and boil it with its skin on until fork tender. Chill until ready to use, if making the night before.
• Warm together the potato and milk.
• Meanwhile, place the flour, salt, olive oil, and yeast in a mixing bowl with a dough hook making sure the yeast isn't touching the salt. Pour in the warmed milk and potato and mix on low for 6 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit 1 hour or until double in bulk.
• Turn the mixer on to punch down the dough, then turn it out onto a flour work surface. Roll the dough into a flat rectangular sheet. Grease a sheet pan well with olive oil and transfer the dough to that pan. Continue to roll the dough into the corners of the pan to fit it exactly.
• Prick the dough all over then rub the surface with more olive oil. Dot the surface with grapes in even rows. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until it reaches the top of the sheet pan.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Sprinkle with coarse sugar and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool in pan only a few minutes, then slide it out of the pan (steam gets trapped under the dough and can get soggy if you leave it in the pan too long). Cut into rectangular pieces and serve.