Focaccia Bread

LEVEL 4 HERE WE COME

It's been a strange couple of years in this 2020, don't you think?

Killer virus threatening to wipe out the world. Entire countries ground to a standstill by an invisible force of nature.  Crumbling economies, joblessness. Grim reports all round or is it?

😨

People have been stuck at home now for over a month.  Family time is now actually spent with families instead answering emails on cellphones and "just checking" laptops.

Yes, there is a lot of good that has come out of this lockdowns.  One of the most important lessons perhaps is that we need each other.  Money can be made again.  Economies will rise and crumble but people will bounce back, like we always do.

💑👪

That's the beauty of the human race.  We are resilient and resourceful.

One of the things that I know has been a major struggle for my kids is the lack of Domino's Pizza.  

Italian Pizzeria

Ok, so we don't have take out alot and other than pizza, sushi is their real craving.

I'm no sushi chef, not by a long shot but this mom can help you with the pizza shortage .

Let's iron out a few differences here.   Focaccia and pizza look exactly the same except I can get a focaccia bread at my local supermarket for a fraction of the cost of a similar sized pizza.

What is the difference between focaccia and pizza?

Focaccia is similar in texture to pizza dough. While both are made with flour, oil, water, salt, and yeast, pizza has less yeast, making the dough is thinner than focaccia. Both doughs can be topped with a variety and mix of meats, vegetables and cheese.

Focaccia has a more thick-based mouth feel than pizza. And yes, it does a lot more filling of that hungry stomach than a pizza can.

FOCACCIA PIZZA

For a yeast dough:

1 cup plus 1 tbsp (255 ml) warm water

2 teaspoons (5 g) instant yeast

1 ¼ teaspoons (8 g) fine salt

1 tbsp sugar

2 tablespoons (25 g) olive oil

3 cups (400 g) all purpose flour

OR

No yeast? No problem.  Use the recipe below.

3 cups self-raising flour

2 cups of warm water

1 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp mixed herbs

Now sift the dry ingredients together, add warm water and mix into a soft dough.  Place into an oiled bowl, cover with a tea towel or cling wrap and leave in a warm place to rise for 1 hour. 

Knead dough gently on a floured surface.  Roll into shape- yes, it can be rectangle. Most restaurants and pizzerias in Italy sell rectangle pizza slice.  

Pat into a greased, floured sheet pan, oven dish or pizza pan. If you're making a plain focaccia and want those cute little holes, poke you finger into the dough before adding your toppings.

Top as desired and bake for 12-15 min at 200C.

Topping Ideas

Plain garlic & olive oil

1. olive oil + dried herbs + minced garlic 

2. spinach + feta 

3. mushrooms + sausages (viennas do well also)

4. cheese + tomato (maybe spruce it up with chilli flakes or diced red onion)

5. olives + cold meat slices (rip these up first)

6. baby marrow (zucchini) + red pepper + red onion slices

7. ...... anything from your favourite pizza

Just remember to season with a sprinkle of salt and a grinding of black pepper.  Serve with a side of good quality Balsamic vinegar, for dipping.

Now go forth and eat pizza.

Enjoy.