Sweet Onion Focaccia Recipes

ONION-AND-LEEK FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Add flour to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. In a liquid-measuring cup, stir together water and yeast until yeast is dissolved. Add yeast mixture to flour and mix on medium speed until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until doubled in bulk and bubbling, about 2 hours.
• In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-low. Add onions and slowly cook until dark golden and caramelized, about 45 minutes. Let cool.
• Add salt and onions to dough and mix on low speed 5 minutes. Increase speed to medium and mix 30 seconds (dough should be loose and sticky).
• Using a dough scraper, turn dough out onto a well-floured surface. Fold bottom edge of dough up toward center of dough and pat gently to deflate. Fold top edge down toward center, overlapping bottom edge slightly and pat gently. Repeat folding process 8 to 9 times, tapping off excess flour as you work (dough will be difficult to handle, but try not to incorporate too much flour). Gently transfer dough to a large bowl, seam-side down. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Turn dough out again onto a well-floured surface; repeat folding process. Return dough to bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let stand in a warm place until doubled in volume, 1 hour more.
• Place a pizza stone on floor of a gas oven with racks removed or bottom rack of an electric oven. Preheat oven to 450 degrees at least 45 minutes (425 degrees if using a convection oven).
• Slice leeks lengthwise 1/4 inch thick. Rinse well and pat dry. Coat leeks, rosemary, and chives with 1 tablespoon oil.
• Use remaining 1/3 cup oil to coat surface of a 13-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet. Turn dough out onto sheet, coating bottom with oil. Using oiled fingertips, push dough out toward edges of sheet. If dough starts to retract, let stand 5 minutes, then continue until it reaches edges of sheet. Arrange leeks, chives, and rosemary lengthwise on dough, pressing gently to adhere. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand 45 minutes, occasionally pressing dough toward edges.
• Liberally sprinkle dough with flaky salt. Dough should be well oiled; if necessary, drizzle with up to 2 tablespoons more oil.
• Bake, rotating halfway through, until bottom is golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Immediately slide focaccia out of pan onto a wire rack. Drizzle with any reserved oil in pan and sprinkle with more flaky salt. Let cool slightly. Foccacia may be served 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.

SWEET ONION FOCACCIA

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, stretch and roll pizza dough to a 12 in circle.
• Place on lightly greased pizza pan, or regular pie plate.
• Allow dough to rise in warm, draft free location 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile in medium frypan, heat oil over medium low heat, stir in onion.
• Cook, stirring frequently 15 minutes or until onions are softened and light golden brown.
• Stir in garlic and sugar and cook 5 minutes longer.
• Place onion mixture on top of dough, sprinkle with rosemary and salt, if using.
• Bake at 400F for 20 minutes or until dough is puffed and golden brown.