Ficazza Focaccia Pie With Ham Cheese Filling Recipes

FICAZZA (FOCACCIA PIE WITH HAM CHEESE FILLING)

Steps:

• Cook and peel the potatoes in a pot with water (you will need to reserve 150 ML of the water). Once the potatoes are cooled, pass them through a ricer, into a large mixing bowl.
• Meanwhile proof the yeast with some of the reserved WARM potato water (about 1/4 cup) and 11/2 tsp sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
• Add the flour, and mix until crumbly. Add the yeast mixture, the melted margarine and slowly add the remaining potato water. At this point you can either mix by hand or put it in your Kitchen Aid mixer with the bread hook attachment. Be careful when mixing the water, because the dough consistency must not be too dry or too wet, it should be tacky to the touch and come together into ball. Keep kneading until a smooth ball forms.
• Place the dough in a well greased bowl, and cover it with seran wrap or a towel. Place in a warm spot to rise -- I usually put it in my oven to avoid drafts. Let is rise for about one hour or until doubled in size.
• While the dough is rising assemble the filling. Mix all the ingredients together and set aside.
• Grease a 12 inch sping form pan. Se aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Once the dough doubles, take it out of the bowl and gently deflate it and divide the dough in half. Place the first half in the mold covering th eentire bottom. Put the filling on top of the dough but leave 1/4 inch border so as the filling does not touch the sides. Place the second half of the dough on top of the filling.
• Put the sliced tomatoes on top of the second half of the dough, sprinkle with salt and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for about 40 minutes or until done.

FILLED FOCACCIA WITH HAM AND MELTED FONTINA

Steps:

• Pop the ingredients for the dough into a bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Set to dough and start.
• Towards the end of the time, prepare the filling by slicing the cheese thinly and separating the slices of ham.
• When the dough is ready, remove from the machine, turn it out onto a lightly foured surface, divide it into two and then roll out one half to form a rough rounded rectangle approx 28 x 20cm.
• Place the rolled out dough onto a baking tray or pizza stone and arrange the slices of ham on top, making sure that they go right up the edges. Follow this with the cheese, then scatter the sage and season well with the pepper. Roll out the remaining dough, lay it on the top of the other half and pinch the edges together to completely enclose the filling. Cover with a clean cloth and leave to puff up for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to Gas 6/400/200 degrees. When the dough is ready, make about 15 little dimples in it with your finger and press in the sprigs of rosemary. Finally drizzle over the olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the dough is crisp and golden.
• Serve straight from the oven, cut into wedges or squares.