Onion Tomato Focaccia Recipes

Steps:

• To make the dough, dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup warm water and let it sit for several minutes, until it begins to bubble. Put the flour and salt in the food-processor bowl.
• Stir together the active yeast and 2 cups lukewarm water in a spouted measuring cup. With the processor running continuously, blend the flour and salt briefly, then pour in all the liquid through the feed tube and process for about 30 seconds. A soft, moist dough should gather on the blade, with some sticking to the sides of the bowl. If it's very sticky and hasn't come off the sides at all, incorporate more flour, a tablespoon or two at a time, to stiffen the dough and bring it together. If the dough is dry, process in more water in small amounts.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface, scraping the bowl and blade clean. Knead by hand for a minute, using as little flour as possible, until the dough forms a smooth round, still soft and a bit sticky. Coat a big bowl with the tablespoon of olive oil, drop in the dough, and turn it to oil it all over. Seal the bowl with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled, about an hour.
• While the dough is rising, toss together the sliced onion, cherry-tomato halves, 4 tablespoons of the olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl, and let them marinate.
• Coat the baking dish or pan, bottom and sides, with 2 tablespoons or more olive oil. Deflate the risen dough, and lay it in the pan. Gently press and stretch it into an evenly flat round that fills the pan. If the dough is resistant, let it relax for a few minutes.
• Lift the marinated onion and tomatoes out of the bowl with a slotted spoon, draining off the juices. Scatter the vegetables all over the focaccia, and lightly press in with your fingertips, creating dimples in the soft dough. Finally, drizzle the marinating oil over the top.
• Let the focaccia rise, uncovered, for about 20 minutes. Set a baking stone, if you have one, on a center oven rack and heat to 425˚. Just before baking, gently dimple the dough again with your fingertips, and sprinkle another 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt all over.
• Bake the focaccia for about 20 minutes, rotate the pan back to front for even cooking, and bake another 10 to 15 minutes, or even longer, until the bread is golden brown and the onion and tomatoes are nicely caramelized.
• Remove the pan and top with remaining olive oil and crumbled oregano. Let the focaccia cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Serve it warm or at room temperature.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. In 10-inch skillet, heat oil and butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until onion is softened and light golden brown.
• On ungreased cookie sheet, place focaccia. Sprinkle 3/4 cup cheese on focaccia. Top with onion and tomatoes; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
• Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is hot. Sprinkle with arugula.

Steps:

• Mix the flours with the yeast and salt, add 1 tbsp oil, then pour in 320ml lukewarm water and mix well. You want a very soft dough - don't worry if it looks a little wet, this will make a lighter focaccia. Knead for 5 mins if using a stand mixer, or 10 mins by hand, using a dough scraper if you have one and lightly oiling your hands and the surface. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp tea towel and leave to rise until it has doubled in size.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large frying pan with the remaining oil, add the onions and a pinch of salt, and cook gently for 20 mins or until very soft. Pour in the vinegar and cook for a further 10 mins until sticky. Set aside to cool.
• Oil an A4-sized roasting tin, scrape in the dough and reshape in the tin (see tip, below), gently pushing the dough into the corners. Scatter over the onions, cover with a piece of lightly oiled cling film and leave until puffed up.
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Using your fingers, lightly dimple the dough all over, drizzle with a little oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake for 30 mins until golden brown. Can be made the day before and stored in an airtight container.