Focaccia barese

17/11/2023

Barese focaccia is a typical dish from Puglian cuisine, cherished for its softness inside and crispiness outside, as well as for the distinctive aroma provided by olive oil, cherry tomatoes, and olives. Here is the traditional recipe.

Ingredients

500 g of remilled durum wheat semolina flour
400 ml of lukewarm water
10 g of fresh yeast or 3 g of dry yeast
10 g of salt
30 ml of extra virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing and dressing
200 g of cherry tomatoes
20 pitted green or black olives
Dried oregano to taste (as much as needed)
Coarse salt to taste

Preparation

Start by dissolving the yeast in some of the lukewarm water. Then, in a large bowl, pour the flour and make a well in the center where you will add the dissolved yeast.
Begin kneading by gradually adding the rest of the water and the olive oil. Once the dough begins to take shape, add the salt. Continue to knead until you obtain an elastic and smooth dough, then let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until it doubles in volume, covered with a clean kitchen cloth.
In the meantime, wash and cut the cherry tomatoes in half.
Once the dough has doubled in volume, generously grease a rectangular baking pan with olive oil, and spread the dough with your hands trying to keep an even thickness, creating characteristic dimples by pressing with your fingers.
Arrange the cherry tomatoes and olives in the indentations of the dough, dress with a drizzle of olive oil, sprinkle with dried oregano, and add a pinch of coarse salt.
Let the garnished focaccia rise for another 30 minutes.
Finally, bake the focaccia in a preheated oven at 220°C for about 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Once baked, remove the Barese focaccia from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before serving.

Did you know?

A trick to make an even tastier focaccia includes preparing an emulsion with water, oil, and salt that is spread over the focaccia before the final rising time. This helps to create an even crispier and more flavorful crust. Barese focaccia is excellent to enjoy on its own, but it can also be served as an appetizer or as an accompaniment to cured meats and cheese.