Grilled Focaccia With Mozarella Di Bufala Sweet Italian Sausage And Fresh Tomatoes Recipes

GRILLED FOCACCIA WITH MOZZARELLA DI BUFALA, SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE, AND FRESH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Begin by making the dough so it has time to rest and rise. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, or in a mixing bowl, combine the yeast, sugar and warm water and stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, 5 to 10 minutes.
• If you're using a mixer, turn the mixer on low, add the salt and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the flour, a little at a time, mixing at the lowest speed until the flour has been incorporated. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium and let it go until the dough gathers into a ball. This should take about 5 minutes. Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Get a feel for the dough as you're making it by squeezing a small amount together between your thumb and fingers. If it's crumbly, add more water, if it's sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times, kneading until it's smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a round and put it into a lightly oiled bowl, turning it over to coat the dough entirely with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot (i.e., over a gas pilot light) until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat an outdoor gas or charcoal barbecue and get it very hot. Brush the grates with oil to keep the sausages from sticking. Grill the sausages until cooked through, turning with tongs. Set aside. Keep the grill hot to make the pizza. Roll or pat the dough into a rustic, oblong shape, about 1/4-inch thick - do this directly on a lightly floured pizza paddle for ease. Brush the crust with a thin layer of olive oil, and lay oil side down onto the hot grill. Once the dough looks set, in about 2 minutes, turn the crust over.
• Now prepare the topping. Cut up the tomatoes and add to a large mixing bowl. Add the garlic and basil. Crumble in the sausage. Rip the mozzarella into pieces with your hands and add that too along with some extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, add the salad mix and toss to combine.
• Once the crust is set and cooked, transfer it to a platter. Scoop up the salad mix in your hands and spread it evenly over the top. Sprinkle with a good dusting of Parmigiano-Reggiano and finish with a drizzle of olive oil.

GRILLED ITALIAN SAUSAGES AND TOMATOES ON FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high (if you are using a charcoal grill, coals are ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grill for just 3 to 4 seconds). Season tomatoes with salt and pepper; drizzle with about 2 tablespoons oil. Grill tomatoes, cut side down, until marked by grill and beginning to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Flip tomatoes, and grill until soft and juicy, but still holding shape, 5 to 7 minutes more. Transfer to a cutting board, and coarsely chop. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add oregano, and toss to combine. Season with salt, and drizzle with remaining oil; set aside.
• Grill sausages, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 12 minutes. Cut each sausage in half lengthwise. Using a slotted spoon, divide tomatoes among focaccia; top each with a sausage half, arranging cut side down. Serve immediately.

FRESH MOZZARELLA, BASIL, TOMATO FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Thaw and allow frozen pizza dough to rest.
• Balsamic Glaze: Put 1.5 cups aged balsamic vinegar and sugar in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring. When it becomes syrupy, take off heat and put into another dish.
• Chill for 30 minutes.
• Once frozen dough thawed and rested, stretch or roll out dough to be about 1/4 thick in an almost rectangle shape.
• Lay on pizza sheet and brush on 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle all of the dough with garlic salt and the parmesan cheese.
• Bake in a 425 degree oven for 8 minutes.
• Pull out and poke the dough several times with a fork.
• Put back into the oven for an additional 4-5 minutes or until golden brown.
• Slice fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and chop basil.
• Arrange mozzarella and tomatoes on foccacia and sprinkle with lots of fresh basil. Drizzle remaining olive oil over the top. Use extra virgin or any good olive oil.
• Drizzle with Balsamic glaze and serve with extra balsamic glaze for dipping.