Home

Focaccia with Cherry Tomatoes and Oregano

17/11/2023

Focaccia with cherry tomatoes and oregano is a delicious and colorful variant of the classic Genoese focaccia. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

  • 500 g of type 00 flour
  • 300 ml of lukewarm water
  • 10 g of fine salt
  • 10 g of sugar
  • 7 g of dry yeast or 20 g of fresh baker’s yeast
  • 60 ml of extra virgin olive oil, and a bit more for brushing
  • 200 g of cherry or grape tomatoes
  • Oregano to taste
  • Coarse salt to taste

Preparation

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in lukewarm water and let it rest for a few minutes until bubbles form on the surface.
  2. Add half of the flour and mix until you get a smooth batter.
  3. Incorporate the salt and extra virgin olive oil, then gradually add the rest of the flour, continuing to knead until the dough is smooth and homogeneous. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour, but be careful not to overdo it.
  4. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or cling film and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
  5. Take a baking tray and grease the bottom and sides with a bit of olive oil.
  6. Spread the risen dough on the tray, trying to maintain a uniform thickness.
  7. Allow the focaccia to rest in the tray for another 20-30 minutes.
  8. Meanwhile, wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half. Gently press them with your open hand to remove some of the liquid and seeds. This will help prevent the focaccia from becoming too moist during baking.
  9. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
  10. After resting, gently press the cherry tomatoes into the dough, cut side up, and sprinkle over some oregano and a pinch of coarse salt.
  11. Brush the surface of the focaccia with a drizzle of olive oil.
  12. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the surface becomes golden and crispy.
  13. Remove the focaccia from the oven and let it cool on a rack before serving.

Curiosity

Focaccia is a typical preparation of Italian cuisine, especially from Liguria, and each region has its variants. Focaccia with cherry tomatoes and oregano is a classic Mediterranean touch: the cherry tomatoes just scorched by the heat of the oven and the aroma of oregano evoke the flavors of summer and Southern Italy.