Italian Herb Focaccia with Three
Cheeses and Caramelized Onions
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 cups water, at 70 degrees F
- 2 teaspoons RapidRise yeast
- 4 to 4 1/2 cups bread or all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus additional for coating dough
Toppings
- 2 onions, sliced and caramelized (see note)
- 3/4 cup shredded Asiago cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
- 2 tablespoons Italian herb seasoning
Instructions
- Place water and dry yeast in a 5-quart Kitchen Aid mixer bowl. Let sit for
5 minutes.
- Scoop in bread flour, and add salt and 1/4 cup olive oil. Mix for 6-7 minutes.
Dough will be sticky but manageable. Cover dough well with olive oil and a damp
cloth.
- When the dough has risen, take it out of the bowl and place on a 15- x 10-inch
baking sheet that has been coated with olive oil. Push the dough outward with
your hands. Let the dough rest and repeat until the dough totally covers the
baking sheet and doesn't spring back.
- Let the dough rest on the baking sheet until it reaches double its size.
While waiting, gather the Topping ingredients.
- When dough has doubled in size, use your fingertips to dimple the dough.
Spread caramelized onions, cheeses and herb seasoning on top of dough, and push
into the dough. Let the dough rise again until it comes up and over all the
ingredients on top.
- Brush olive oil on top, and bake in a 375 degrees F oven for 20 to 25 minutes
or until golden brown.
- Let cool.
- Slice and serve.
To caramelize onions, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium sauté pan
over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring until onions are translucent. Sprinkle
onions with 1 tablespoon sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Continue to cook until
onions are very soft and well caramelized.
Source: Pastry chef Bill Gormley of The Greenbrier