Kittencals Parmesan Focaccia Recipes

KITTENCAL'S ITALIAN-STYLE BREAD

Steps:

• Prepare a heavy-duty stand mixer with the kneading attachment.
• Pour in 2-1/2 cups flour, cornmeal, 2 teaspoons sugar, olive oil and salt into the stainless steel mixing bowl.
• In a measuring cup proof the yeast with 1-1/4 cups warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar for about 8-10 minutes or until foamy.
• Pour the water/yeast mixture into the bowl with the flour mixture in it, then start kneading adding in more flour 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl, and dough is soft and smooth not sticky and wet (kneading should take about 6-8 minutes).
• Transfer the dough into an oiled bowl.
• Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 45-50 minutes, or until doubled (watch the dough closely since you are using a smaller amount of flour, and using 3 teaspoons of yeast, the dough rises a little quicker!).
• Punch down; cover and let rest for about 10-12 minutes in the bowl (this is important, the dough must rest for 10-12 minutes after punching down and before shaping!).
• Transfer the dough onto a lightly-floured surface and evenly divide in half.
• Shape each half into a thin 10-12-inch long loaf (or you can shape in one thicker shorter loaf if desired).
• Place the shaped loaves onto a 15 x 10-inch baking sheet that has been lighly greased and then sprinkled with about 2 tablespoons cornmeal.
• Cover with a clean tea towel and let rise for about 25-30 minutes.
• Spray the tops of the bread with cooking spray (I use Pam olive oil spray for this).
• Bake at 400°F for about 20-22 minutes for 2 small long loaves, or until golden brown (adjust baking time longer for 1 large loaf).
• Cool on a wire rack.

KITTENCAL'S CHICKEN PARMESAN (LOW-FAT AND DELICIOUS!)

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees F (oven rack set to lowest position).
• Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• Place the breasts between two sheets of waxed paper, then using a mallet pound until almost half the thickness (do not pound to very thin).
• In a shallow dish combine dry breadcrumbs with 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, parsley, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt and black pepper.
• Place the flour in another shallow bowl or on a plate.
• Place the egg in a bowl and lighty beat (you should have 3 separate bowls).
• Firstly dredge the chicken in the flour, then dip into egg, lastly coat in the breadcrumb mixture pressing down with hands to adhear the mixture firmly to the chicken.
• Spray a non-stick skillet with vegetable spray or lightly brush with a little olive oil.
• Add in the breasts one or two at a time and lightly brown on both sides (about 3 minutes per side, do not cook through completely) transfer to prepared baking dish.
• Drizzle the marinara sauce over the top and around each breast (there should be some sauce between each piece of chicken).
• If you are using the mozzarella cheese sprinkle over the top and around all the chicken.
• Top with about 1/4 to 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (cooking time should take no more than 30 minutes or the chicken will be dry).
• TO SERVE; slide a wide spatula underneath the breast/s along with some sauce and cheese that is left in the baking dish.

PARMESAN FOCACCIA

Steps:

• For the dough: Add potato to boiling water and simmer until done, about 25 minutes. Drain potato well and cool.
• Once cooled put through fine disk on ricer or grate through large holes on grater box.
• Reserve 1 1/3 cup lightly packed potato.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl of electric mixer or work bowl of food processor fitted with steel blade, mix or pulse yeast, 1/2 cup flour, and 1/2 cup warm water until combined.
• Cover tightly and set aside until bubbly, about 20 minutes.
• Add remaining dough ingredients, including reserved potato. If using Kitchen Aid mixer, fit with paddle attachment and mix on low speed (number 2) until dough comes together.
• Switch to dough hook attachment and increase speed to medium (number 4); continue kneading until dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• If using food processor, process until dough is smooth and elastic, about 40 seconds. The dough will be wet. Transfer dough to lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat with oil, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm, draft-free area until dough is puffy and doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• With wet hands (to prevent sticking), press dough flat into generously oiled 15 1/2 by 10 1/2 inch jelly roll pan, stretching it so that the dough reaches all sides of the pan and fills all four corners (If the dough resists going into the corners, cover it with a damp cloth and let it relax for 15 minutes.) Once the dough has been stretched into the pan cover with a lightly oil-sprayed plastic wrap; let rise in warm, draft-free area until dough is puffy and double in volume, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat to 425°F.
• Once doubled in size, with two wet fingers, dimple risen dough.
• Drizzle the dough with the topping oil and sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake until focaccia bottom is golden brown and crisp, 23 to 25 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool slightly. Cut into squares and serve with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

KITTENCAL'S PARMESAN FOCACCIA

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine 3/4 cup warm water with 1 teaspoon sugar, and dry yeast, mix to slightly combine; cover with a tea towel and let stand for 8-10 minutes or until foamy.
• Fit a heavy-duty stand mixer with kneader hook.
• In the stainless steel mixer bowl add in 4-1/2 cups flour, 3 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/3 cup oil.
• After the yeast is proofed add it into the bowl with the remaining 1 cup warm water and start kneading (you might want to use the paddle attachment for this and then switch over to the kneader blade for kneading).
• Knead for about 8 minutes adding in more flour as needed to create a soft semi-sticky dough.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, cover with a clean tea towel and let rest for 8-10 minutes.
• Gather up dough and knead lightly for about 15 seconds so dough will come together nicely.
• Place the dough into a well-oiled bowl (turning to coat in oil).
• Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and let rise for about 50 minutes to 1 hour (depending on how warm your kitchen is, I rise my dough in a pre-warmed oven).
• Punch down and divide evenly in half.
• At this point you can place each piece of dough in an oiled bowl, cover and refrigerate to make later, or freeze, placing the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, or more will make it easier to shape into the pan.
• Very lightly spray two 13x9-inch baking pans and sprinkle each with about 2 tablespoons cornmeal or more, or line bottoms with parchment paper.
• Place a piece of dough in the pan, then with fingers, press out and the up sides slightly by about 1/2-inch (if the dough will not shape good, just let dough rest covered for about 5 minutes, the continue shaping) don't worry if the dough is uneven or tears a bit.
• Cover each pan with a towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 20-30 minutes, or until about doubled.
• Set oven to 400°F.
• Lightly brush each top of dough with oil (can use olive or regular oil), then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, black pepper and Kosher salt or coarse salt.
• With lightly-oiled fingers make indentations (about 1/2-inch deep) and 1-inch apart all over the dough.
• Bake for about 20-22 minutes or until golden.
• Delicious!