Mushroom and Herb Focaccia
1
13x18 inch loaf
Main
Course
Print Recipe
Ingredients
Directions
Basic Focaccia Dough
800 g
all-purpose flour
640 g
water
60 g
extra-virgin olive oil
17 g
kosher salt
7 g
active-dry yeast (one packet)
Toppings
1 md
shallot, sliced
8 oz
fresh mushrooms, like cremini, oyster, shiitake, or a mix
3 tbsp
extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
½ tsp
extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Flaky sea salt
2 tbsp
fresh oregano, chopped
2 tbsp
fresh thyme
2 tbsp
fresh chives, chopped
1 c
fresh ricotta
Freshly ground black pepper
Use any sort of hearty mushrooms you like in this recipe. Creminis are easy to find, but oyster mushrooms, porcinis, or shiitakes—or a mix—all work great. The herbs are also easily adapted to your taste: Chopped rosemary or torn basil leaves would make an excellent addition.
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine 100 grams of the water with the yeast. Stir to dissolve and let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, remaining water, and 30 grams of olive oil. Add the yeast mixture, and mix thoroughly with your hands until all the visible flour is incorporated and a shaggy dough forms, about 3 minutes.
- Cover the dough loosely in plastic wrap and set aside to autolyse for 30 minutes. This will help the flour to become fully hydrated, activating enzymes that will help the yeast to access its nutrients.
- Sprinkle the salt over the dough and mix with your hands until fully incorporated. The dough should feel smooth and supple and a little taught.
- Cover with plastic wrap and allow the dough to sit at room temperature for about 1-2 hours to ferment. It should appear bubbly and nearly doubled in size. It's okay if it hasn't fully doubled by this point; it will continue to ferment in the fridge.
- Chill the covered dough for at least 8 hours, and up to 24. This lengthy fermentation will develop flavor and structure.
- Remove the dough from the fridge and allow the dough to warm slightly at room temperature, about 30 minutes.
- Apply 15g of olive oil to a 13x18" rimmed baking sheet and use a spatula to scrape the dough from the bowl onto the oiled sheet. Using oiled hands, gently stretch dough, pushing it into the corners of the pan. If it tenses up, let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This will allow the gluten to relax, making it easier to stretch.
- Using hands or a pastry brush, gently rub 15g of olive oil over the top of the dough. Cover gently in plastic wrap and allow to proof in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it's puffy and bubbly, and has grown to fill the tray. 30 minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 450°F.
- In a medium bowl, toss the shallot and mushrooms with the olive oil. Add the kosher salt and toss to combine.
- When the oven is preheated and the dough is puffy, use your fingers to press deep dimples across the entirety of the dough. Bubbles should rise to the surface, and the dough should spring back only slightly, leaving the dimples intact.
- Drizzle some more olive oil over the surface of the dough, and then distribute the mushrooms evenly over the surface. Sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt.
- Bake until the focaccia is crisp and golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from oven, allow to cool slightly, and spoon the ricotta in dollops across the surface. Scatter the fresh herbs on top and season to taste with black pepper. Serve immediately.
Alex Testere
Alex Testere is a writer, editor, and illustrator based in Brooklyn. He spends most of his time cooking and thinking about his houseplants.