Mamas Famous Focaccia With Optional Gorgonzola Topping Recipes

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.

HERBED FLATBREAD (FOCACCIA) 4 WAYS RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Stir yeast packet into water and allow yeast to bloom. (A light foam should appear on top of the water after about 5 minutes. This means the yeast is alive and active.)
• Add olive oil to water and mix.
• In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, and herbs together.
• Once incorporated, create a small well in the middle and pour in the water/yeast/oil mixture.
• Mix by hand, wetting your working hand before mixing so the dough doesn't stick to your fingers. The water and flour should come together and form a rough dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
• NOTE: If the dough is too sticky, add more flour in small increments, about 1 tablespoon at a time. If the dough is too dry, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
• Once the dough begins to come together, turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead the dough until it forms a smooth ball.
• Coat the bowl the dough was initially mixed in with about a tablespoon of olive oil and place the dough ball inside. Give it a few turns to coat the dough in the oil.
• Cover and let the dough rise until it doubles in size about 1 hour.
• While the dough rises, prepare a large baking sheet by generously coating it with olive oil.
• Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto the prepared baking sheet and flatten it out into a large rectangle.
• Using a knife or dough scraper, cut the dough into 4 evenly sized rectangles.
• Press the rectangles flat and arrange them with each one pressed into a corner of the baking sheet.
• Cover and let the dough rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 450˚F (230˚C) while the dough is resting.
• Depending on the temperature of your kitchen and activeness of the yeast, the 4 rectangles should have risen to be about an 1-inch (2 ½ cm) thick.
• Using your fingers, poke the the dough all over--creating small dimples across the surface.
• Generously coat the tops of the dough rectangles one last time with olive oil (some oil will pool inside of the divots we made with our fingers. That's ok!) Use a basting brush to ensure all of the dough gets covered with olive oil.
• Top the dough rectangles with your choice of toppings. (We did four different combinations, including tomatoes with fresh rosemary, caramelized onions and parmesan cheese, mixed olive with gorgonzola cheese, and 3-cheese using parmesan, mozzarella, and gorgonzola.)
• Once finished with the toppings, liberally sprinkle the breads with a coarse salt.
• Bake at 450˚F (230˚C) for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
• Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes before cutting into equal pieces.
• Enjoy!

LAZY MOM'S FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Prheat oven to 425 F and lighly grease a large baking sheet to cover an 8x10" area.
• Unroll dough onto the greased area of pan, pressing any seams together and forming into an oblong shape (don't press it too flat)- it can be an uneven shape (gives it a rustic look).
• Using a wooden spoon hadle tip, gently press indentations all over the surface of the dough- making little craters.
• Sprinkle dough evenly with olives, rosemary, salt, and pepper, then drizzle with the oil.
• Bkae 12-15 minutes, or until bottom and edges are golden brown.
• Remove to a cutting board and cut into 12 squares, strips or triangles- they can be uneven shapes.
• Serve warm.

FIG FOCACCIA WITH GORGONZOLA CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Roll out dough on work surface to 12x9-inch rectangle. Sprinkle 1/4 cup dried figs over center third of dough. Fold left side of dough over figs. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup dried figs. Fold right side of dough over second layer of figs to cover. Using rolling pin, gently flatten dough to 12x7-inch rectangle; place on baking sheet. Arrange fig slices atop dough. Sprinkle with Gorgonzola cheese, then sugar and ground black pepper. Bake bread until golden brown and cheese melts, about 25 minutes. Serve bread warm.

CHIPOTLE FOCACCIA WITH GARLIC-ONION TOPPING

Steps:

• In bread machine pan, place the first 6 ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1-2 tablespoons water or flour if needed). , When cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Punch down dough; cover and let rest for 15 minutes., Meanwhile, place garlic in a small microwave-safe bowl. Drizzle with 1/4 teaspoon oil. Microwave on high for 20-60 seconds or until softened. Mash the garlic., Roll dough into a 12x10-in. rectangle. Transfer to a well-greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place until slightly risen, about 20 minutes., With fingertips, make several dimples over top of dough. Brush dough with 1 tablespoon oil. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute onions in remaining oil until tender. Add the chipotle peppers, salt and mashed garlic; saute 2-3 minutes longer. Sprinkle over dough. , Bake until golden brown, 10-15 minutes longer. If desired, top with chopped chives. Cut into serving portions; serve warm. Freeze option: Freeze cooled focaccia squares in freezer containers, separating layers with waxed paper. To use, reheat squares on an ungreased baking sheet in a preheated 400° oven until heated through.

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.