Focaccia Farcita (Filled Italian Hearth Bread)
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 300 ml water
- 500 g bread flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Filling and Topping
- 200 g gorgonzola, crumbled
- 200 g mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
- 3 sprigs rosemary, stems removed
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- Sprinkle yeast into 200ml of the water in a bowl.
- Let sit 5 mins; stir to dissolve.
- Mix about 3/4 of the flour with salt together in a large bowl.
- Make a well in the centre and pour in the yeasted water and olive oil.
- Mix in the flour.
- Stir in remaining water to make a sticky dough, using a wooden spoon.
- Add the remaining flour, if needed, 1 tablespoon at a time, to form a knead-able dough.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Knead until smooth, silky and elastic, about 10mins.
- (you can add more flour if necessary, 1 tablespoon at a time) Put the dough in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap/tea towel.
- Leave to rise until doubled, 1 1/2- 2 hours.
- Knock back and divide the dough into 2 equal pieces.
- Chafe for 5 minutes.
- Chafing: Form each piece into a ball by cupping your hands gently around it.
- Apply a light, downwards pressure to the sides, while simultaneously rotating the dough in a steady, clockwise motion.
- Continue until the dough forms an even, round shape.
- This action is called CHAFING.
- Leave to rest 10 minutes.
- Roll out each piece of dough into a 9 inch round.
- Place one round on an oiled baking sheet.
- Arrange the cheeses and basil on top, then seal the filling using the second round.
- Cover the dough loosely with a tea towel.
- Prove until doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Using your fingertips, lightly press into the surface of the dough to form dimples about 1/2 inch deep.
- Sprinkle with coarse salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Top with rosemary sprigs.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 400u0b0F/200u0b0C for 30-45mins until golden.
- Drizzle immediately with remaining olive oil, and serve warm.
- Variation- use 1 lb cherry tomatoes (drizzle with 1 TB olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then bake at 400u0b0F for 20 mins), 5 oz mozzarella and 4 oz rocket (arugula) as filling.
active dry yeast, water, salt, olive oil, filling, gorgonzola, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaf, coarse salt, rosemary, olive oil
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/focaccia-farcita-filled-italian-hearth-bread-84306 (may not work)