Potato Rosemary Focaccia
This dough recipe makes the best-tasting all-purpose focaccia dough that I've ever had and is also the easiest to make. Potato, onions, and rosemary make the focaccia base which is accented with a basil, oregano, rosemary, garlic, and thyme oil.
Ingredients
For the dough
- 5 3/4 cups unbleached bread flour
- 2 teaspoons table salt, or 3 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 1/2 cups ice-cold water, (40°F or 5°C)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
For the herb oil
- 2 cups olive oil
- 2 tablespoons dried basil
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon rosemary leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons granulated garlic powder, or 10 cloves fresh garlic, pressed and lightly sauteed in 1/2 cup of the olive oil, above
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, or coarse sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chile flakes, (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sweet or hot paprika, (optional)
For the focaccia
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds new potatoes, or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled if desired
- 1 large white or yellow onion, cut into thin strips (optional)
- Leaves from 1 rosemary sprig
- 1 cup Herb Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon each coarse sea salt or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
Make the dough
- With a large metal spoon, stir together the flour, salt, yeast, and water in a 4-quart bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer until combined. If mixing with an electric mixer, fit it with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed for about 2 minutes, or until all the ingredients are hydrated and begin to form a wet ball of dough. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
- Switch to the dough hook, add the olive oil, and resume mixing on medium-low speed for 3 to 4 minutes, or until all of the oil is incorporated and the dough is sticky, supple, and smooth; it should clear the sides of the bowl and stick just a little to the bottom. If the dough seems like a batter and does not have sufficient structure to hold itself together, mix in more flour by the tablespoonful.
- Even though it is sticky, the dough should still pass the windowpane test. If mixing by hand, repeatedly dip one of your hands or the spoon into cold water and use it much like a dough hook, working the dough vigorously as you rotate the bowl with your other hand. As all the flour is incorporated and the dough becomes a wet ball, about 3 minutes, stop mixing and let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
- Then add the olive oil, dip your hand or spoon again in water, and continue to work the dough for another 3 to 4 minutes. The dough should be very sticky, but it should also have some texture and structure.
- Form the dough into a ball and place it in a bowl brushed with olive oil. Turn the dough to coat it with the oil, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and immediately refrigerate it overnight. The next day the dough should have nearly doubled in size. Allow it to sit at room temperature for about 2 hours before making the focaccia.
Make the herb oil
- In a bowl, whisk together all the ingredients. Let sit at room temperature for 2 hours before using.
Make the focaccia
- Shape and dimple the dough in a 12 by 17-inch (30 by 43-cm) sheet pan using the 2 tablespoons olive oil for preparing the pan and the 1/4 cup olive oil for dimpling the dough. Let the dough rise at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours, or until it fills the pan.
- While the dough is rising in the pan, prepare the potatoes. If using new potatoes, place them in a saucepan with water to cover, bring to a boil, and boil for about 10 minutes, or until they can be easily pierced with a fork. Drain, let cool (or plunge them in cold water to speed the process), and cut into 1/4-inch-thick (6 mm) slices. If using regular-sized Yukon Gold potatoes, slice them paper-thin using a food processor, a mandoline, or a chef's knife. In a bowl, combine the sliced potatoes, onion, if using, and rosemary. Pour in the herb oil and toss gently to coat.
- Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C). When the focaccia is fully risen and ready to bake, remove the potatoes from the oil, shaking off the excess oil, and spread the slices over the surface of the dough, either randomly or stacked like dominoes. If using Yukon Gold potatoes, you may need to overlap more tightly to fit on the dough. If using onions, scatter them over the potatoes. Place the sheet pan on the middle shelf of the oven, bake for 5 minutes, and then lower the temperature to 400°F (200°C). Bake for 15 minutes, then rotate the pan 180 degrees. Continue to bake for 20 to 25 minutes longer or until the dough and the potatoes are golden around the edges.
- Remove the finished focaccia from the oven and immediately transfer it to a cooling rack. Drizzle any oil remaining in the pan, as well as any remaining herb oil, to taste, over the potatoes. Season with salt and pepper, then let cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting and serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1portion | Calories: 798kcal | Carbohydrates: 84g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Sodium: 1470mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 1g