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Focaccia for Stuffing

17/11/2023

The stuffable focaccia is a versatile preparation that lends itself to being filled with a wide variety of ingredients. Here’s the recipe for a soft and tasty focaccia that you can stuff to your liking.

Ingredients

  • 500 g of type 00 flour
  • 300 ml of lukewarm water
  • 10 g of salt
  • 10 g of sugar
  • 7 g of dry yeast (or 25 g of fresh yeast)
  • 30 ml of extra-virgin olive oil
  • Extra-virgin olive oil for greasing and for the surface
  • Coarse salt for the surface (optional)
  • Fresh or dried rosemary (optional)

Preparation

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve the dry yeast in lukewarm water with the sugar. If using fresh yeast, crumble it into the water and stir until completely dissolved.

  2. Add the flour a bit at a time, continuously stirring to avoid lumps. When the mixture begins to take shape, add the salt and the extra-virgin olive oil.

  3. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and start to work it. Knead for about 10 minutes, until you have a smooth and elastic ball.

  4. Grease a bowl with a bit of oil, place the dough inside and cover it with a damp cloth or cling film. Let it rise in a warm place, free from drafts, for about 2 hours, or until the dough doubles in volume.

  5. Take a baking tray and grease it with a drizzle of oil. Spread the dough into the tray, trying to give it an even thickness. If you wish, you can create dimples on the surface with your fingertips.

  6. Allow to rise for another 30 minutes, then sprinkle the surface with a bit of extra-virgin olive oil, coarse salt, and rosemary, if desired.

  7. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 °C for about 20-25 minutes or until the surface is golden brown.

  8. Once cooked, let the focaccia cool before cutting and stuffing it with your favorite ingredients.

Curiosity

Focaccia is a very ancient dish, with origins dating back to the time of the Etruscans and Greeks. In Italy, each region has its own variant, from the classic Genoese focaccia to the Bari-style focaccia with cherry tomatoes.

When it comes to stuffing it, you can get creative: the classic ham and mozzarella is always a safe bet, but don’t hesitate to explore with grilled vegetables, pesto, different cheeses, or various cold cuts. It’s also perfect as a base for creating a sort of Italian “sandwich”, cutting it in half and inserting the ingredients you like the most.

Focaccia for Stuffing