Mamas Famous Focaccia With Optional Gorgonzola Topping Recipes

THE BEST, EASIEST FOCACCIA BREAD RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and instant yeast. Add the water. Using a rubber spatula, mix until the liquid is absorbed and the ingredients form a sticky dough ball. Rub the surface of the dough lightly with olive oil. Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel, cloth bowl cover, or plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator immediately for at least 12 hours or for as long as three days. (See notes above if you need to skip the overnight rise for time purposes.) NOTE: It is important the dough really be slicked with olive oil especially if you are using a cloth bowl cover or tea towel as opposed to plastic wrap or a hard lid. If you are using a tea towel, consider securing it with a rubber band to make a more airtight cover. If you do not slick the dough with enough oil, you risk the dough drying out and forming a crust over the top layer.
• Line two 8- or 9-inch pie plates or a 9×13-inch pan (see notes above) with parchment paper or grease with butter or coat with nonstick cooking spray. (Note: This greasing step may seem excessive, but with some pans, it is imperative to do so to prevent sticking. With my USA pans, I can get away with olive oil alone; with my glass baking dishes, butter is a must.)
• Pour a tablespoon of oil into the center of each pan or 2 tablespoons of oil if using the 9×13-inch pan. Using two forks, deflate the dough by releasing it from the sides of the bowl and pulling it toward the center. Rotate the bowl in quarter turns as you deflate, turning the mass into a rough ball. Use the forks to split the dough into two equal pieces (or do not split if using the 9×13-inch pan). Place one piece into one of the prepared pans. Roll the dough ball in the oil to coat it all over, forming a rough ball. Repeat with the remaining piece. Let the dough balls rest for 3 to 4 hours depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
• Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 425°F. If using the rosemary, sprinkle it over the dough. Pour a tablespoon of oil over each round of dough (or two tablespoons if using a 9×13-inch pan). Rub your hands lightly in the oil to coat, then, using all of your fingers, press straight down to create deep dimples. If necessary, gently stretch the dough as you dimple to allow the dough to fill the pan. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt all over.
• Transfer the pans or pan to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the underside is golden and crisp. Remove the pans or pan from the oven and transfer the focaccia to a cooling rack. Let it cool for 10 minutes before cutting and serving; let it cool completely if you are halving it with the intention of making a sandwich.

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.

CLASSIC FOCACCIA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, kosher salt and yeast. Add the warm water to the flour mixture and stir until all the flour is incorporated and a sticky dough forms. (Expect a very wet dough; no kneading required.) Pour 2 tablespoons oil into a medium bowl. Transfer the dough to the bowl, turn to coat, and cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator to rest for at least 24 hours or for up to 2 days.
• When you're ready to bake, brush the inside of a 9-by-13-inch baking sheet with oil. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and transfer to the prepared pan. Using your hands, spread the dough out as much as possible, adding oil to the dough if needed to keep it from sticking. (Don't worry if the dough doesn't yet cover the full pan; it will once it relaxes and rises.) Place the dough in a warm place and let rise until about doubled in bulk. The rising time will vary considerably depending on the season. (In the summer, it may take only 20 minutes for the dough to warm up and rise; in the winter, it can take 1 hour or more.) When the dough is ready, it should be room temperature, spread out on the sheet and fluffy.
• Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Using your palms, pat down the focaccia to an even thickness of about 1 inch, then, using your fingertips, dimple the entire dough. Drizzle it with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle the entire surface of the focaccia evenly with the sea salt and herbs, if using.
• Bake, rotating once front to back, until the top is uniformly golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the focaccia on the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool, then slide out of the pan. Enjoy it hot. (Focaccia deteriorates in quality after the first day. If there is some left over, wrap it tightly in plastic and store at room temperature for another day. Day-old focaccia is delicious in soup.)

MAMA'S FAMOUS FOCACCIA WITH OPTIONAL GORGONZOLA TOPPING

Steps:

• Focaccia:.
• Stir the yeast into the warm water in a large bowl: let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in the olive oil, the flour and salt. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic about 5 minutes.
• Place the dough in an oiled use (olive oil) bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until double in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Flatten and stretch the dough to cover as much the bottom of an oiled 12 by 17 inch baking sheet. Dimple the dough with your fingertips.
• If not using a topping such as the gorgonzola, dimple the top of the bread using your finger to make indents about 1" deep. Drizzle olive oil on top of the bread- it should run down into the dimples- that is great!
• Topping:.
• Mix the cream, gorgonzola cheese and rosemary in a food processor. Spread the mixture over the dough with a rubber spatula. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Brush the top with olive oil.
• Finishing:.
• Now let the dough rise for 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400.
• Bake for about 20 minutes. After the bread cools, cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

FOCACCIA WITH SWEET ONION AND CAPER TOPPING

Steps:

• Mix the focaccia dough as directed and set in a warm spot to rise.
• Meanwhile, prepare the onion filling. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy lidded skillet. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until they soften, about 5 minutes. Add a generous pinch of salt, the capers, thyme and garlic, and turn the heat to low. Cover and simmer gently, stirring often, for 30 to 40 minutes, until the onions have cooked down and are very soft and lightly colored but not browned. They should taste sweet. Season to taste with salt and pepper and remove from the heat.
• When the focaccia dough has risen, shape as directed into 1 large focaccia or 2 smaller focacce. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm spot for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 425 degrees, preferably with a baking stone in it.
• Dimple the dough with your fingertips and spread the onion mixture over the top in an even layer. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake, setting the pan on top of the baking stone (if using), for 20 to 25 minutes, until the bread is deep golden brown and bits of the onion topping are browned. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving, or allow to cool completely.