Davide Punto Cucina: Focaccia Genovese: Do You Know it? Prepare it Yourself!

Learn how to prepare a classic Italian meal.

Focaccia Genovese is a traditional Italian flatbread that is consumed and prepared in the entire country, but it comes from Liguria, with Genoa as the main city. It is believed that Ligurians are the masters of focaccia, just like Napoletans are famous for their pizza. The name means “loaf” in Italian, while in Latin “focus” is fire; which gives the bread its meaning: an aromatic and inviting flatbread baked over a fire.

A little history

Italy is a country full of memories, and food plays an important role in it. Many legends and tales are about how traditional dishes were created but, naturally, it has been impossible to prove them, they are just part of its culture and folklore. The focaccia is a really ancient bread, there are mentions of it on Romans documents because it was supposed to be used as offerings to the gods, but it hasn’t been verified.

Other story claims that the recipe is originally Greek but, after the conquers of the Roman Empire, it became part of Italy, although it’s just a legend. However, it doesn’t matter the origin: focaccia has now a role in the Liguria traditions, its citizens call it fugàssa, being a member of the daily food of Ligurians families as breakfast, lunch or even snacks. In this region, you can still find bakers who prepare it with the traditional methods, or you can try the new versions, with different spices and even cheese.

Ingredients

1 cup lukewarm water.
2 ½ cup (13 oz) bread flour.
½ tsp dry yeast (1 tsp if needed).
½ tsp salt.
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil.

Directions

Add lukewarm water and yeast to a bowl. Let sit for a few minutes until yeast is completely dissolved and starts its fermentation.

Combine flour, olive oil, and salt in a mixer bowl. Stir to unify all the dry ingredients; you can use a fork.

Now add the yeast preparation, and start to knead. It can take a while for all the ingredients to be combined but, if you have a mixer, use the dough hook tool which will help you a lot with this process.

Keep kneading until the dough looks and feels elastic and smooth. Place it on a bowl with oil and let sit for about 1 ½ to 2 hours, that way it will double its size. Remember to cover it with a plastic wrap or a kitchen towel.

Grease a baking sheet with olive oil, place the dough on it, and stretch it out with your hand until the entire layer is covered. Add a little more of oil on top and let rest for another 30 minutes.

Bake it for 15 to 20 minutes at 450° F, when is out of the oven you can give another brush of olive oil, as a final touch.

As you can see, making your own focaccia is not that difficult, so give it a try. This is another Italian recipe that has become a renowned meal around the world, but it is still an important part of its cuisine. Come to Davide Punto Cucina to enjoy the different dishes that our chef prepares with the touch of the island.