Focaccia Rustica
by Carol Field
from Italy in Small Bites
(HarperCollins, 2004)
Serves 8
Makes one 10 1/2-x-15-inch focaccia
A delicious focaccia that actually stays moist for a day or two. By itself the red pepper topping makes a delicious antipasto, pasta sauce or vegetable dish.—Carol Field
convert Ingredients
For the dough
2 medium-size cloves garlic, lightly crushed
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 package)
1 1/3 cups warm water (105° to 115°F)
3 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
20 fresh sage leaves, roughly chopped, or 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
For the topping
3 red or yellow peppers
3 medium-sizered onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons olive oil
3 or 4 medium-size ripe tomatoes, seeded and squeezed dry
A handful of fresh basil leaves, torn in pieces
1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
Directions
Make the dough
1. Warm the garlic cloves in the olive oil over very low heat just until the garlic begins to brown. Discard the garlic and cool the oil to room temperature. Meanwhile whisk the yeast into the warm water and leave until creamy, about 10 minutes. Add the cooled olive oil.
2. Stir in the flour, salt, and herbs, and mix until the dough comes together; you may need to add 1 more tablespoon of water. Knead by hand on a lightly floured work surface for 6 to 8 minutes, or if you are using a heavy-duty mixer, change to the dough hook and knead on medium speed for 3 minutes. The dough will be silky and elastic.
3. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled, 1 hour.
4. Set the dough in an oiled 10 1/2 x 15-inch pan. Stretch the dough to cover as much of the bottom as possible; the dough will be very springy and cooperative. Cover with a towel and let it relax for 15 minutes. Then dimple and stretch the dough some more, until it covers the bottom in a very thin layer. Leave to rise until puffy, about 50 minutes.
Make the topping
1. While the shaped dough is rising, toast, peel, and slice the peppers into thin strips. Saute the onions in the 1/4 cup olive oil over very low heat for 25 to 30 minutes, until they are soft and limp.
Assemble the focaccia
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). If you are using baking stones, set them in the oven and preheat for 30 minutes. When the dough is ready, lightly dip your fingertips into the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and dimple the tops of the dough. Distribute the vegetables over the surface of the focaccia; sprinkle with the basil and salt; and finish by drizzling the remaining oil over the tops.
2. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the dough is crispy at the edges and the vegetables are soft but still very slightly crisp. Let cool briefly, then remove from the baking pan and let cool on a rack. Serve tepid or at room temperature.
Recipe © 1993 Carol Field. All rights reserved.
