Potato Leek Focaccia Recipes

POTATO AND LEEK FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Combine the water, yeast and sugar together in a large bowl. Let sit until the yeast is activated and foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir in the flour and salt to make a shaggy, sticky dough. Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the dough and turn to coat the dough with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 18 to 24 hours.
• When you are ready to bake, coat a metal 9-by-13-inch baking pan with butter and pour 2 tablespoons oil into the pan. Gently fold the dough over itself a few times in the bowl, then transfer it to the prepared pan and turn it over to coat with oil. Arrange the dough seam-side down and let it rise, uncovered, until it almost covers the bottom of the pan, about 2 hours.
• Just before the dough has finished rising, heat your oven to 425 degrees and set a rack in the center.
• When you are ready to bake, combine the sliced leeks and potatoes in a large bowl. Strip the leaves from the thyme and add them to the bowl along with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper; toss to combine evenly.
• Use your fingertips to dimple the dough and gently push it to evenly cover the bottom of the pan. Arrange the leeks and potatoes in an even layer over the dough. Bake until the focaccia is golden on the edges and the leeks begin to brown, about 30 minutes.
• Sprinkle the top with cheese and bake for 5 minutes more. Let cool slightly before serving.

POTATO FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Combine the yeast, sugar, and milk in the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add 1/2 cup of the flour. Stir well, cover with a towel, and let rest in a warm place for 25 minutes.
• Mix in the olive oil, salt, and 1 cup of flour, until well incorporated. Add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough adheres to the hook. It should remain soft and slightly sticky. Continue mixing for about 6 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
• Remove from the bowl, shape the dough into a ball, flatten slightly, and put into an oiled bowl. Turn to coat. Cover the bowl with a towel and put in a warm place for about 1 hour, to let the dough rise until doubled.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook slowly until very crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain. Reserve the pancetta and fat separately.
• Put the potatoes in cold salted water, cover, and bring to a boil. Cook about 8 minutes, or until tender. Drain well and place in a bowl.
• Pour the pancetta fat over the warm potatoes, add the crisped pancetta, 1 teaspoon of the rosemary, salt and pepper to taste, and the lemon zest. Toss well and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Oil a baking sheet.
• Lightly flour the dough and punch it down. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly until smooth. Roll out the dough into a rectangle about 12 by 10 inches. Brush off any excess flour and transfer to the oiled baking sheet. Brush the dough with olive oil and leave to rise for 30 minutes.
• Sprinkle the potato mixture onto the dough and press it in with the flat of your hand. Press your fingers into the dough to make evenly spaced indentations all over the surface, being careful not to puncture or tear the dough. Scatter the remaining rosemary over the dough.
• Bake for about 25 minutes, until the potatoes are golden brown and the bread is crisp on the bottom. Let cool in the pan to room temperature. Cut into squares, "fingers," or triangles to serve.

POTATO-LEEK FRITTATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a 10-inch ovenproof nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add leek and potato, season with salt and pepper, and cook until leek is translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add eggs and ricotta, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Cook, undisturbed, until edges are set, about 2 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven and bake until top of frittata is just set, 10 to 13 minutes. Invert or slide frittata onto a plate and cut into 6 wedges. Serve warm or at room temperature.

POTATO FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into a 12-by-18-inch rimmed baking pan, and spread all over using fingertips; set aside. Place half the potatoes in a small saucepan. Cover with cold water; place over high heat. Add 3 teaspoons salt when water comes to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high; cook until potatoes are tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain in a colander, reserving liquid. Pass through a potato ricer or a food mill and into a bowl; set aside.
• Place 1/4 cup reserved warm liquid into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Sprinkle in yeast, and stir well; let stand until creamy, 5 to 10 minutes. Add 2 1/4 cups more reserved liquid, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and the reserved mashed potatoes; beat until combined. In a large bowl, whisk together flour and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; add to potato mixture. Mix on low speed until flour is incorporated, about 3 minutes. Change to the dough hook, and knead on medium-high until dough is smooth and elastic and is slightly tacky when squeezed but does not stick to fingers, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Turn dough out onto a clean surface, and knead into a ball. Place in a lightly oiled large bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let stand at room temperature until doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spread dough evenly in the prepared baking pan. Cover with oiled plastic wrap, and let stand in a warm place until dough has filled the entire pan and has increased in size by about one-third, about 30 minutes.
• Using a mandoline or a knife, slice remaining potatoes into very thin rounds. Transfer to a bowl. Add half the rosemary and 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat potatoes well.
• Remove plastic wrap; dimple dough with fingertips, leaving deep indentations. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Gently press reserved sliced potatoes into dough. Sprinkle with remaining rosemary. Bake until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven; transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm.