FOCACCIA WITH FRESH TOMATOES

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Focaccia with Fresh Tomatoes image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 1h7m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/4 teaspoon fresh yeast
7 ounces warm water
7 ounces bread flour
1 teaspoon yeast
15 ounces warm water
12 ounces sponge starter
14 1/4 ounces bread flour
8 1/4 ounces whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/4 ounces olive oil
1 1/4 ounces milk
8 sliced plum tomatoes
Olive oil

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.

Zabeer Ahamad
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This focaccia looks amazing! I'm definitely going to give this recipe a try.


iheme akachukwu
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Can't wait to try this recipe! I love focaccia bread.


Chima Eke
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I'm thinking of making this focaccia for my next dinner party. It looks so impressive!


Monster boy Aanand
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This recipe is a great starting point, but I made a few changes to suit my taste. I used half whole wheat flour and half all-purpose flour, and I added some dried oregano and rosemary to the dough.


Elizey Cobby Nyarkoh
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I followed the recipe exactly, but my focaccia didn't rise properly. I'm not sure what went wrong.


Black Mamba
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This focaccia was a bit too oily for my taste.


Miss Wish
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I'm not a big fan of focaccia bread, but this recipe changed my mind. It was so light and fluffy, and the tomatoes added a nice touch of sweetness.


Ellen Freeman
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This is the best focaccia recipe I've ever tried. It's so easy to make and it always turns out perfect.


Megan O'Brien
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I made this focaccia for a party and it was a hit! Everyone loved it.


Tharidu perera
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This focaccia bread with fresh tomatoes was absolutely delicious! The bread was soft and fluffy, and the tomatoes were sweet and juicy. I loved the combination of flavors and textures.