Focaccia Topped With Tomato Mushrooms Recipes

FOCACCIA WITH FRESH TOMATOES

Steps:

• To make the sponge, place the yeast and water into a medium sized bowl, and stir to dissolve yeast. Add the flour and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon or your hands for 2 to 3 minutes, until smooth, and a somewhat elastic dough has formed. The starter will be thick and stretchy.
• Scrape the starter into a clear container with high sides and cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise.
• At this point you have two options. If you plan to make the dough later the same day, let the sponge rise at room temperature until it has risen to the point where it just begins to indent on top. This may take 6 to 8 hours. It will triple in volume and very small dents and folds will begin to appear in the top of the surface as it reaches its peak and begins to deflate. Make sure to use it before it sinks too much.
• If you are not planning to make the dough until the next day, let the sponge rise for 1 hour after mixing, then place it in the refrigerator and let it rise for at least 14 hours before taking it out to use. Be sure to compensate for the cold temperature of the starter by using warm water in the dough, or let it sit out, covered, until it reaches room temperature.
• To make the dough, place the yeast and water in a large bowl. Stir the yeast so it dissolves, and allow to stand for 1 minute.
• Add the sponge to the yeast mixture, and mix with your hands for 1 minute to break up the sponge. The mixture should be foamy. Add the flour and mix it in with your hands, lifting the wet mixture over the flour to incorporate it. Once the dough becomes a shaggy mass, knead in the bowl for 1 minute. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 20 minutes.
• Add the salt to the dough and knead briefly to incorporate. Gradually add the oil and milk, and knead gently until all the liquid has been incorporated.
• Move the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead until it begins to become smooth, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. The dough will be sticky, so keep the work surface lightly floured.
• Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turn the dough to coat it, and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise until almost double in size, approximately 2 hours.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• When the dough has risen, loosen it from the bowl with lightly floured hands, and pour it onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into 9 equal pieces, about 5 1/4 ounces each. Shape the dough into balls and place on the baking sheet approximately 4 inches apart. Brush each piece with olive oil, and press down gently so the bread is more like a disk than a roll. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 1/2 hours, or until the dough has almost doubled in size.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Toss the slices of tomatoes in a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the tomatoes in a decorative fashion on the dough. With your finger tips, press down on the dough in a few places, making impressions where olive oil can gather. Lightly brush the dough with olive oil, allowing it to pool in the dimples. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
• Place the baking sheet in the oven, mist the loaves with water from a spray bottle, shut the oven door, and continue to bake. Mist again one minute later.
• Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees F, and bake for 15 to 25 minutes longer, or until golden brown and crusty.
• Remove the focaccia from the oven immediately, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with fresh herbs such as basil if desired. Let cool on a cooling rack.

TOMATO AND MUSHROOM FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. In 8-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Drain if necessary.
• On ungreased cookie sheet, place bread. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of the cheese on bread. Top with mushrooms and tomatoes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
• Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is hot. Sprinkle with basil.

MUSHROOM FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Lightly grease a baking sheet and place dough on it; with floured hands press out dough to 11x7-inch oval. Brush with 2 tsp, of the oil and let rise in a warm place for 45-60 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining oil in a large skillet; sauté mushrooms and onion for 4 minutes or until moisture has evaporated; add oregano and garlic, cook for 1 minute more, then let cool slightly.
• With thumb or end of wooden spoon, make dimpled surface on focaccia; top with mushroom mixture, pressing lightly into dough. Top with olives, black pepper and parmesan cheese.
• Bake in a 400F oven for 20-25 minutes or until bottom is lightly browned and crisp. Let cool slightly on wire rack. Cut in wedges or slices to serve.
• TIP: To create a warm place for dough to rise, turn oven on to 200F for 1 minute, then turn off and place dough in warm oven.
• Kalamata or nicoise olives cured in oil or brine are more flavorful than canned.
• VARIATION: Crumble goat cheese on top of baked focaccia and return to warm oven just to melt. Pass oil flavored with herbs or spices to drizzle as desired.

TOMATO-HERB FOCACCIA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1 tablespoon oil, salt, sugar, garlic powder, herbs, pepper and 1-1/2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky)., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Shape into a 13-in. x 9-in. rectangle; place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. With fingertips, make several dimples over top of dough., Brush dough with remaining oil; arrange tomatoes over the top. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack. Freeze option: Freeze cooled focaccia squares in freezer containers, separating layers with waxed paper. To use, reheat squares on a baking sheet in a preheated 400° oven until heated through.

FOCACCIA TOPPED WITH TOMATO & MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• In an 8" skillet, heat oil over medium heat.
• Cook mushrooms in oil until tender.
• Add garlic and cook for about 1 minute or less.
• Crain if necessary.
• Place bread on cookie sheet.
• Sprinkle 3/4 cup of cheese on bread.
• Top with mushrooms, garlic, and tomatoes.
• Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
• Bake 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is hot.
• Sprinkle with basil.