Don’t Underestimate the Power of Humble Focaccia

Focaccia is a yeast flat bread, very humble. It’s square, looks just like pizza dough topped with herbs, garlic, other vegetables and generous amount of olive oil. It’s very popular in Italy. And here… Well, many of us heard of it, but don’t really know what to do with it.

The word focaccia means “hearth, baking place” in the Latin. The basic recipe is ancient as Etruscan or ancient Greek cultures themselves. I can imagine that it was a everyday meal for shepherds and soldiers — piece of bread, olive oil, piece of goat cheese. Full of flavor, simple but hearty and fulfilling.

Here’s several suggestions how to enjoy your focaccia for lunch or even dinner.

1. Traditional topping. Fresh basil, sliced tomatoes, feta or goat cheese, olives. Drizzle it with balsamic vinegar.
2. Vegetarian toppings. Spread pesto or avocado paste. Grilled sliced eggplant, zucchini, portabello mushrooms and red onions.
3. Meat variation. You can make a Panini sandwich with turkey or ham, sliced tomato and lettuce.
4. Cheese variation. Drizzle with olive oil and Italian herbs. Lots of your favorite cheese on the top.
5. You can cut it lengthwise or into small cubes and bake it for 10 more minutes at 350 to make bread sticks or croutons.

Next Saturday ask if we have whole grain focaccia. You will love it!