Focaccia Pugliese – a summer spongy, feather light and tasty baked specialty from the region of Puglia (Apulia) in southern Italy – is one of such dishes. Baked fresh, this particular focaccia is fantastic, but the day after... it's even better!
Round, fluffy with it's typically crisp edges and caramelized topping, Focaccia Pugliese (also known as "ruota di focaccia barese") is quintessential street food and the perfect picnic item. When I make it for my son, we always try to leave some for the next day and pack the leftovers in the beach bag for post-swimming munchies.
Focaccia Pugliese's secret is in the dough, which includes boiled potatoes. This gives it a unique soft, springy texture and a beautiful aroma.
Ingredients:
500 g (2 cups) 00-type flour
2 large potatoes, boiled and peeled
25 g (<1 oz) brewer's yeast
1 tsp sea salt, plus more to taste
250 ml (1 cup) lukewarm water
10 cherry tomatoes, halved
10 black olives, pitted
1 tbsp dried oregano
Extra virgin olive oil
Method:
Let the boiled potatoes cool before peeling, and set them aside.
Place flour in a large mixing bowl, and using a ricer, add the potatoes.
Dissolve brewer's yeast in the lukewarm water and add that to the mix as well. Fold in a small pinch of sea salt and begin kneading to obtain a sticky, firm ball.
Wrap in cling film and leave the dough to rise for 2 hours in a warm, dry place.
Preheat your ventilated oven at 240° C (428° F), or set it at 260° C (500° F) if static.
Use olive oil to generously grease a large round baking dish (9 or 11-inch) and stretch the dough to fill it evenly.
Press the halved tomatoes in the dough, cut side down, add the olives, a good dusting of oregano and lashings of sea salt.
Drizzle the surface with more olive oil and bake in the hot oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the surface appears evenly browned and tomatoes are caramelized.
Buon appetito.
wow, this sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is actually, and habit forming. So hard not to eat it during my diet... LOL
DeleteAm not a baker but just have to try this. Have never attempted a flour and potato dough and the tomato/olive and herb topping strongly appeals. Will send the post to a few wonderful American/Italian cooks: methinks they will love it too. Oh I am from Down Under, so to speak :) !
ReplyDeleteCiao Eha,
Deletethank you for your comment! I'm happy you'll try making this dish, do tell me how it turns out, OK?
How can I not pin this and save the recipe? My maiden name is Pugliese. The first cool day we get I am making this recipe. Grazie per la ricetta.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Let me know how it turns out, va bene? Hugs
DeleteA classic! Occasionally I prepare a focaccia using potato as a base, the resulting dough has a texture like no other. Generally, I scatter mozzarella, rosemary and thinly sliced potatoes on the top with a drizzle of olive oil. My garden is at it's peak with cherry tomatoes - thank you for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHI Eleonora, it looked delicious like many of the things you post.
ReplyDeleteThis morning I gave it a try and it turned out beautifully! Very simple and fast to make just like you said. Thank you: it is going to be in my recipe box to stay. Buon Ferragosto everyone!!