Zesty Potato Topping For Focaccia Recipes

POTATO ROSEMARY FOCACCIA

Steps:

• 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.
• In a bowl, whisk together all the ingredients. Let sit at room temperature for 2 hours before using.
• 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.

POTATO & TURMERIC FOCACCIA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in 350ml cold water and add the oil. Add the flour and 1 tsp salt and mix thoroughly with your hands to make a dough. Cover and leave in the fridge or a cool place overnight.
• The next day, turn your dough out onto an oiled tray approx 30cm x 20cm. Using your fingertips, gently stretch the dough into a rectangle, then fold it in half. Rotate the dough 90 degrees and repeat the process. Leave to rest for 30 mins. Repeat this stretching, folding and resting process twice more.
• Heat oven to 24OC/220C fan/gas 9. Gently stretch the dough to fill your tray. If it shrinks back, don't force it - rest for 10 more mins, then try again.
• Spread the potato slices over the dough, overlapping. Mix the olive oil with the turmeric and brush over, then sprinkle with sea salt and bake on the top shelf of the oven for 25-30 mins. When cooked, drizzle with a little more olive oil and scatter over the rosemary.

POTATO FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Combine the yeast, sugar, and milk in the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add 1/2 cup of the flour. Stir well, cover with a towel, and let rest in a warm place for 25 minutes.
• Mix in the olive oil, salt, and 1 cup of flour, until well incorporated. Add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough adheres to the hook. It should remain soft and slightly sticky. Continue mixing for about 6 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
• Remove from the bowl, shape the dough into a ball, flatten slightly, and put into an oiled bowl. Turn to coat. Cover the bowl with a towel and put in a warm place for about 1 hour, to let the dough rise until doubled.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook slowly until very crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain. Reserve the pancetta and fat separately.
• Put the potatoes in cold salted water, cover, and bring to a boil. Cook about 8 minutes, or until tender. Drain well and place in a bowl.
• Pour the pancetta fat over the warm potatoes, add the crisped pancetta, 1 teaspoon of the rosemary, salt and pepper to taste, and the lemon zest. Toss well and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Oil a baking sheet.
• Lightly flour the dough and punch it down. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly until smooth. Roll out the dough into a rectangle about 12 by 10 inches. Brush off any excess flour and transfer to the oiled baking sheet. Brush the dough with olive oil and leave to rise for 30 minutes.
• Sprinkle the potato mixture onto the dough and press it in with the flat of your hand. Press your fingers into the dough to make evenly spaced indentations all over the surface, being careful not to puncture or tear the dough. Scatter the remaining rosemary over the dough.
• Bake for about 25 minutes, until the potatoes are golden brown and the bread is crisp on the bottom. Let cool in the pan to room temperature. Cut into squares, "fingers," or triangles to serve.

POTATO, SAGE AND LEMON ZEST FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place a small skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Add garlic and cook until caramelized and golden brown, 2 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Using a mandolin or knife, thinly slice potato. Toss with 1 tablespoon garlic oil (reserve remaining oil and garlic), sage, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Pour remaining garlic oil into bottom of a 9-inch cake pan.
• Pat dough evenly into pan, leaving a small gap between dough and edges of pan. Chop garlic cloves and press into dough. Layer potato-sage mixture on top. Bake until potatoes and focaccia are golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes.

WOLFGANG PUCK'S FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F
• Brush a 12 by 18-inch baking tray with olive oil. Set aside.
• Using the mixer bowl, combine the yeast, 4 ounces of water and honey. Stir together until yeast dissolves into the water. Add 2 ounces of flour and mix to make a sponge. Let rise until double.
• Gradually add the remaining flour, water, olive oil, and salt. Using the dough hook attachment, mix over medium speed to make a soft dough. Beat for 3 minutes. Turn off machine, scrape sides of bowl and allow dough to relax for 10 minutes.
• Turn on mixer and continue to mix the dough for another 5 minutes at medium speed. The dough will become velvety and elastic. Transfer dough onto prepared baking tray.
• Stretch the dough to fill the tray. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Uncover the dough and stretch to cover the entire baking tray. Brush with olive oil and dimple with fingertips. Sprinkle with kosher salt, pepper, and thyme. Proof for 15 minutes. Bake for 10 minutes, turn around and bake another 6 to 8 minutes.

ZESTY POTATO TOPPING FOR FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together.
• Once focaccia has been prepared and placed in tin, place mixture on the top.
• Allow to rise again for approximately 20 - 30 minutes.
• Bake.