Name: Focaccia Barese
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 1-1/8 teaspoons active dry yeast; 3/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°), divided; 1/2 teaspoon sugar; 1/3 cup mashed potato flakes; 1-1/2 teaspoons plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1-1/2 to 2 cups bread flour; TOPPING:; 2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced; 1/4 cup pitted Greek olives, halved; 1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh or dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

This focaccia has been in my mom's family for several generations. It is one of my most-requested recipes whenever I am invited to a party—I am not allowed to attend unless I bring it! —Dora Travaglio, Mount Prospect, Illinois

Ingredients

1-1/8 teaspoons active dry yeast

3/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°), divided

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/3 cup mashed potato flakes

1-1/2 teaspoons plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1/4 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 to 2 cups bread flour

TOPPING:

2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced

1/4 cup pitted Greek olives, halved

1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh or dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

Instructions

1 In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Add sugar; let stand for 5 minutes. Add potato flakes, 1-1/2 teaspoons oil, salt, 1 cup flour and remaining 1/4 cup water. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

2 Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

3 Place 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 10-in. cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet; tilt pan to evenly coat. Add dough; shape to fit pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

4 With fingertips, make several dimples over top of dough. Brush with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Blot tomato slices with paper towels. Arrange tomato slices and olives over dough; sprinkle with oregano and salt.

5 Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.