Focaccia with cheese - A delicacy that combines simplicity with rich flavor
Focaccia is a type of Italian bread known for its soft texture and crispy crust. It is often flavored with various ingredients, but today we will focus on a delicious version filled with cheese. It is a perfect dish for a snack, a quick meal, or even to impress guests. Here’s how you can prepare it step by step!
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Necessary ingredients:
- 400g wheat flour (preferably type 00 for a fine texture)
- 25g fresh yeast
- 400g soft cheese or cream cheese (we recommend stracchino cheese, but you can also use mozzarella or ricotta)
- 9 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 250-300ml warm water
Preparation of cheese focaccia:
1. Preparing the dough:
In a large bowl, combine the flour with the salt. Make sure the salt is well distributed in the flour to avoid unsalted areas in the dough. In the center of the flour, make a well and add the crumbled fresh yeast, olive oil, and warm water. Mix the ingredients with a spatula or with your hands until a dough forms.
2. Kneading the dough:
Once the dough starts to come together, transfer it to a lightly floured work surface. Knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. It is important not to add too much flour during kneading, as we want to keep the moisture necessary for a fluffy focaccia.
3. Letting the dough rise:
Place the dough in a clean bowl greased with a little oil and cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place, away from drafts, for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume.
4. Shaping the focaccia:
After the dough has risen, gently roll it out with a rolling pin or with your hands until it reaches a thickness of about 1 cm. Divide the dough into two equal sheets. Roll out the first sheet in a greased baking tray with 2 tablespoons of oil. Make sure the sheet evenly covers the bottom of the tray.
5. Adding the cheese:
On the first sheet of dough, evenly spread the chosen cheese, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Then, place the second sheet of dough on top, pressing gently to seal them together.
6. Preparing for baking:
Brush the surface of the second sheet with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sprinkle a little salt, and use a fork to make small punctures in the dough. These punctures not only help release steam during baking but also contribute to creating a rustic and attractive appearance.
7. Baking:
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake the focaccia for 25 minutes, or until it is golden and crispy. The aroma that will come out of the oven will be simply irresistible!
8. Cooling and serving:
Once the focaccia is baked, let it cool slightly before cutting. It is delicious both warm and at room temperature. You can serve it alongside a fresh salad or as an appetizer at a festive meal.
Useful tips:
- Choose the right cheese: Stracchino cheese is creamy and delicious, but you can experiment with other types of cheese. Each will add a unique note to your focaccia.
- Add extra ingredients: If you want to enhance the flavor, you can add fresh herbs like rosemary or oregano to the dough or on top of the focaccia before baking.
- Vegan option: You can replace the cheese with a plant-based alternative, such as creamy tofu or vegan cream cheese.
Nutritional benefits:
Cheese focaccia is a source of carbohydrates, but adding cheese also provides protein and healthy fats. Using olive oil gives you a dose of monounsaturated fatty acids, beneficial for health.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use dry yeast instead of fresh yeast?
Yes, you can use dry yeast. Use about 8g of dry yeast and follow the same instructions.
2. What can I do with leftover focaccia?
You can keep the focaccia sealed in a plastic bag or an airtight container for a few days. You can reheat it in the oven to restore its crispy texture.
This cheese focaccia recipe is simple yet full of flavor and can quickly become a favorite in your family. Feel free to experiment with various cheeses and flavors, so each preparation is unique. Enjoy!
Focaccia is a type of Italian bread known for its soft texture and crispy crust. It is often flavored with various ingredients, but today we will focus on a delicious version filled with cheese. It is a perfect dish for a snack, a quick meal, or even to impress guests. Here’s how you can prepare it step by step!
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Necessary ingredients:
- 400g wheat flour (preferably type 00 for a fine texture)
- 25g fresh yeast
- 400g soft cheese or cream cheese (we recommend stracchino cheese, but you can also use mozzarella or ricotta)
- 9 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 250-300ml warm water
Preparation of cheese focaccia:
1. Preparing the dough:
In a large bowl, combine the flour with the salt. Make sure the salt is well distributed in the flour to avoid unsalted areas in the dough. In the center of the flour, make a well and add the crumbled fresh yeast, olive oil, and warm water. Mix the ingredients with a spatula or with your hands until a dough forms.
2. Kneading the dough:
Once the dough starts to come together, transfer it to a lightly floured work surface. Knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. It is important not to add too much flour during kneading, as we want to keep the moisture necessary for a fluffy focaccia.
3. Letting the dough rise:
Place the dough in a clean bowl greased with a little oil and cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place, away from drafts, for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume.
4. Shaping the focaccia:
After the dough has risen, gently roll it out with a rolling pin or with your hands until it reaches a thickness of about 1 cm. Divide the dough into two equal sheets. Roll out the first sheet in a greased baking tray with 2 tablespoons of oil. Make sure the sheet evenly covers the bottom of the tray.
5. Adding the cheese:
On the first sheet of dough, evenly spread the chosen cheese, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Then, place the second sheet of dough on top, pressing gently to seal them together.
6. Preparing for baking:
Brush the surface of the second sheet with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sprinkle a little salt, and use a fork to make small punctures in the dough. These punctures not only help release steam during baking but also contribute to creating a rustic and attractive appearance.
7. Baking:
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake the focaccia for 25 minutes, or until it is golden and crispy. The aroma that will come out of the oven will be simply irresistible!
8. Cooling and serving:
Once the focaccia is baked, let it cool slightly before cutting. It is delicious both warm and at room temperature. You can serve it alongside a fresh salad or as an appetizer at a festive meal.
Useful tips:
- Choose the right cheese: Stracchino cheese is creamy and delicious, but you can experiment with other types of cheese. Each will add a unique note to your focaccia.
- Add extra ingredients: If you want to enhance the flavor, you can add fresh herbs like rosemary or oregano to the dough or on top of the focaccia before baking.
- Vegan option: You can replace the cheese with a plant-based alternative, such as creamy tofu or vegan cream cheese.
Nutritional benefits:
Cheese focaccia is a source of carbohydrates, but adding cheese also provides protein and healthy fats. Using olive oil gives you a dose of monounsaturated fatty acids, beneficial for health.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use dry yeast instead of fresh yeast?
Yes, you can use dry yeast. Use about 8g of dry yeast and follow the same instructions.
2. What can I do with leftover focaccia?
You can keep the focaccia sealed in a plastic bag or an airtight container for a few days. You can reheat it in the oven to restore its crispy texture.
This cheese focaccia recipe is simple yet full of flavor and can quickly become a favorite in your family. Feel free to experiment with various cheeses and flavors, so each preparation is unique. Enjoy!
Ingredients
400g flour, 25g yeast, 400g soft cheese or cream cheese, 9 tablespoons oil, 2 teaspoons salt, 250-300ml warm water