The minute I saw Focaccia Pugliese it was love at first sight. The first thing that caught my eye was the name -- Pugliese, my maiden name. Not only did the name captivate me but also the delicious-looking round, fluffy focaccia topped with cherry tomatoes and kalamata olive.
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Tracing roots back to Puglia
Until recently I never associated the surname Pugliese with the southeastern area of Puglia or Apulia. My papà always proudly stated that his ancestors came from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.
My papà and mamma's parents were contadini {farmers} who loved their piece of land. Ingrained was regional pride. It was only after my papà died that I wondered about the origin of our last name and how it tied to the Puglia region.
I surmised that distant ancestors must have migrated north to find a better life. I bet I would have gotten one huge Italian discussion (lively argument with hand gestures) with my papà on the validity of my observation.
Italian Official Language
During the 20th century, southern Italy was dirt poor and in many parts it still is. The people were considered unrefined, uneducated, and unambitious. They spoke with a dialect that many Italians to the north couldn't understand.
I'm not saying that these perceptions are right, this is just what the people at that time thought. It wasn't that long ago that Italy chose what the official dialect of Italy would be.
Each region still speaks its dialect, and my dialect is Triestine, called after Trieste.
Recently, Italy chose what the official dialect of Italy would be; the basis is the Tuscan dialect.
Puglian Cuisine - simple and basic
Puglia has come a long way since WW II. The area is beautiful and more tourists are discovering this. Their food is simple but delicious, like this bread.
If we custom ordered a focaccia recipe that would contain the ingredients that are staples in our home, it would be Focaccia Pugliese. We have plenty of cherry tomatoes hanging from the plant on our patio.
We are never without jars of kalamata olives in our pantry plus we have multiple sacks of "00" flour, exactly what the recipe requires.
Focaccia Pugliese originates in Puglia
I was curious about the history of the bread. What do I do when I'm nosey, and I want to find something out? I contact Mr. Google.
He was very informative as usual. I discovered that Focaccia Pugliese has another name -- Ruoto di Focaccia Barese (Focaccia Wheel from Bari).
This bread is a baked specialty from this region and it's a popular street food.
There are a few variations of this focaccia -- each Puglian family adding their special touch to the recipe.
The secret to Focaccia Pugliese's dough is boiled potatoes. It gives the bread a soft, springy texture plus an amazing aroma as it's baking.
The bread dough is not difficult to work with, it stretches easily to fit our round pan. If you don't have "00" flour just substitute all-purpose flour.
Be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter, we have lots more bread recipes we'll be posting. Here is another traditional bread with Pugliese in the name.
Here are some more Italian breads you'll enjoy
Herb Parmesan Bread - Pizza Bread
Herb Cheese Swirl Pane Italiano
There is nothing better than delicious homemade!!
Tutti a tavola è pronto!
Un caro saluto e alla prossima.
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This is the Double 00 Flour and semolina flour that we use to make bread, pizza, and pasta. We love this flour because it makes everything taste better -- truly! Since we can't find it locally, we look around and see where we can order it without spending an arm and a leg for shipping. If you live in an area where they have Italian markets, I'm green with envy!! We may live around a large city but there are no Italian Markets around.
What's new? check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.
Focaccia Pugliese A Traditional Italian Street Food
This is a fairly quick flatbread to make. You don't need a starter and you can get creative with your toppings. We had these purple grape tomatoes growing in pots on our patio. They were delicious and we made lots of great dishes with them. The potatoes in the dough make the bread moist and it keeps well. Give it a try - you'll be happy you did.
Another Italian flatbread that we enjoy making is our Rosemary Focaccia Recipe. You don't need anything special but some fresh rosemary. And if you're a pizza lover, you HAVE to try our Homemade Focaccia Pizza alla Margherita.
Are you looking for a way to use up that extra sourdough starter? Next time try our Homemade Sourdough Focaccia. We made the topping with grapes and rosemary, but you may use any topping you like.
If you want to take this bread to the next level, serve it with out Garlic Olive Oil Bread Dipping Sauce. It will spice up your dinner routine.
If you want to make fantastic bread without kneading, our No-Knead Easy Focaccia Recipe is for you. The crust gets that bakery-style crispiness while the inside stays soft and airy.
If you like this recipe, please consider giving it a 5-star rating. This helps others to decide whether to try the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Focaccia Pugliese
Ingredients
- 2 cups 00-type flour {substitute all-purpose if you don't have the Italian flour} 250 grams
- 2 large potatoes peeled and quartered, boil until fork tender, pour out water, set the potato quarters aside and let cool.
- 1 ½ Tablespoons yeast ½ oz.
- 1 teaspoon sea salt plus more to taste
- 1 cup lukewarm water 236 ⅔ grams
- 10 cherry tomatoes halved
- 10 kalamata olives halves
- 1 Tablespoon Tuscan Seasoning or oregano
- Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Place flour in large mixing bowl and whisk in dry instant yeast. Using a ricer, add the potatoes.
- Add the lukewarm water and small pinch of salt to the flour and begin kneading to obtain a sticky, firm ball.
- Place the dough in a bowl sprayed with vegetable oil. Wrap the top of the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until double in a warm, dry place. About 1 hour -- depending on the warmth of your kitchen it may take longer.
- Preheat oven to 430 F.
- Use the olive oil to generously grease a large baking pan ( we used a 12-inch pan) don't use any smaller or the dough will creep over the edge. Stretch the dough to evenly fill the pan.
- Press the halved tomatoes in the dough, cut side down, add the olives, a generous sprinkling of Tuscan or Oregano seasoning and sea salt.
- Drizzle the surface with more olive oil and bake in the hot oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the surface appears evenly browned and tomatoes are caramelized.
- Lightly dust with Parmesan cheese when it is finished baking. Remove from baking sheet and let cool on a cooling rack.
Nutrition
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Katia LaManna
I e made many foccacias-
But this recipe is easy, straightforward and delicious! I think I’ve finally landed on my favorite focaccia recipe.... Grazie!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Katia, for such a lovely comment. I'm so glad you enjoyed it - it's our favorite. xoxo
Thea
Fab recipe!
Chris
I'm wondering if I could use a cup of the potato water or would that have too much starch in it? Hate to throw out potato or pasta water...I usually let it cool, then water my plants with it or use it for soup, etc.
Thanks!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Chris! I'd go ahead and use the potato water. I really don't believe it will hurt the focaccia at all. Let me know how it turns out! xoxo
Candy
This recipe is really good! I did a 2: 3 mashed potatoes-flour ratio, and it worked out well! For a crispier base, I would suggest pan-frying the focaccia just before serving - just a simple trick!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Candy!Glad you enjoyed and thank you for the tip!! I'll add that to the instructions.
Veena Azmanov
Oh, I love focaccia, and I can eat focaccia as a meal on its own. My favorite is with tomatoes. This makes me wanna go to the kitchen and make some. How delicious does this looks. Yum. I'm going to have to go make some soon.
Mahy Elamin
mmm what a great recipe. I would have eaten a slice with a glass of red wine. looks very tasty
Denay DeGuzman
What a fabulous focaccia-pugliese recipe! The end result looks flavorful and inviting. Yum. Yum!
Jenni LeBaron
Yum! This sounds so savory and perfect. I would be more than happy making a meal out of this - with a glass or two of red wine of course. Those tomatoes and olives give this such great flavor and color!
Heather
Oh wow!! If this is street food, I need to move to your street!! This looks so savory and comforting. I love the olives and how easy you make this look to make. Super recipe and beautiful pictures.
swathi
I love that you made focaccia with caputo flour. Love the topping with cherry tomatoes and olives . I need to give it a try.
Jyothi (Jo)
Love everything about this bread. Your additions look wonderful, olives, potatoes, tomatoes. this bread with make a terrific appetizer with soup or even cheese
Veena Azmanov
That's my kinda street food!! I love the sound of tomato and olives in my Foccia. In fact, I often make Foccacia at home with sun-dried tomatoes and olives but not sure if it has an origin. Probably because all Italian foods have wonderful stories. This looks delicious.
Claudia Lamascolo
I love everything about this and bread is our weakness and olives so this focaccia would be gone in two seconds when I make it.. love the recipe great job! Ciao
Valerie
My Mom used to buy some focaccia bread and make pizzas with them every week. Hubby would probably appreciate the addition of olives, he loves olives.
Gloria
THIS is street food?? AWESOME...I need to visit Italy. OMG I cannot wait to give this recipe a try. The bread lover....and potato lover in me LOVES this. Give me a glass a wine and this would be dinner no problem.
Adriana Lopez Martin
Absolutely love focaccia! Thanks for always sharing the background of the recipes you publish it is so interesting and educational. I have had focaccia before but not with tomatoes need to make it soon what a treat!
Shobee
You got an interesting middle name... I had trouble pronouncing it. This recipe, however, looks very easy to make. This will be great for any sandwiches, I bet.
The Napoli Alert
I can't wait to go to Puglia and try this!
Marisa Franca
Ciao!! I'm sure you'll love it. Until then, why don't you try to make it??
Brandi
This is new to me. I haven't tried this, but it definitely looks like something I would love!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Brandi! It is delicious.
Nancy Buchanan
One of my favorite recipes from the region and absolutely spot on!
Nancy Buchanan
Absolutely one of my favorite dishes from the region and your recipe is spot on!
antonia
Marisa, I love your website...This focaccia Pugliese reminds of my Nonna and the amazing one she used to make!
At a time when we are constantly bombarded with news about what food is wrong, what food is super wrong and what other food will make us die, it's so refreshing to have a website like yours which embraces the good stuff we all grew up on!
Whatever you are doing here, please don't ever stop because it's so good for the heart!
Blessings all the way from London Town,
Antonia
antonialyons.wordpress.com
Marisa Franca
Ciao Antonia!! What a beautiful name -- it warms my heart to say it. Thank you for your nice compliments on our website. I do believe in eating well and on the delicious foods we grew up on. Buona giornata!!
Marisasitaliankitchen
Hi Marisa, thank-you for visiting and commenting on my blog. It seems we do indeed have many things in common besides our name. I am not sure wether you got the link back from my reply to your comments....but anyhow you have a lovely blog and I love your intro on your about page, it sure made me smile. Have a wonderful day?
Marisa Franca
Thank you and I will enjoy following how your life turned out in Canada 🙂
Marisa Franca
Thank you Marisa! And yes we do share a great name no matter how many "s" are in it!! Looking forward to seeing how many more things we have in common. 🙂
sneha
HEy., lovely and one of my favorite
Marisa Franca
Thank you -- quick and easy -- what we really like
Geri McAleese
The dough only has to rise once? Looks like the one my Mom made but hers was about on inch or so thick.
Marisa Franca
Hello, Geri! That's right - it only rises once. Happy baking!
Chiara
che magnifica focaccia, bravissima !
Marisa Franca
Grazie mille! Sei molto gentile.
Simply Suzannes at Home
First . . .
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday, dear Marisa!
Happy Birthday to you!!
Your comment brightened my day! So happy to read that it's your birthday today. I hope that it's filled with love, laughter, and all your favorite things :0)
I made another batch of your no churn ice cream for our friends who arrive home from Italy tomorrow. I'm going to take them dinner and dessert after a long day of travel.
We LOVE the no churn ice cream! I can't wait to share my post with you :0)
Ok . . . so on to your focaccia bread. AMAZING! It looks and sounds so delicious! It's one of my favorite breads to enjoy with a good Italian meal.
Your skills are amazing!
So happy your share so many great recipes with us!
Wishing you a wonderful Labor Day weekend with your family!
Suzanne
Marisa Franca
Thank you! Your perfect pitch brought tears to my eyes. How nice that you're doing such sweet things for your friends. Be sure to tell them "Benvenuti"
Diane P.
Marisa---This makes my mouth water!! Your pictures are absolute perfection!!! I'm going to try this recipe soon---it's too hot right now to turn the oven on, but soon. I can tell fall is coming, because I'm getting the desire to BAKE! Once the weather turns cool here in the Midwest, my oven goes on daily for some new recipe. Yours will be the first I try!! Thanks for this luscious looking post.
Thistle
Another fantastic recipe! It looks delicious!!
Marisa Franca
Thank you and if we lived closer I would have sent it over for the little Thistles and of course the adult size Thistles to enjoy. Right now it is frozen ( - one piece ) awaiting for our family to enjoy. It surely was a temptation not to take more than one piece but you know we had to take that one piece to do a quality check and a photo ;-D
Jovina Coughlin
Love focaccia. Your additions look wonderful. this bread with make a terrific appetizer with some cheese for guests. I definitely have to try this recipe adding potatoes to the dough. I have never done that before. Great tip.
Marie
Wow, amazing, it looks so perfect Marisa! I would never think that potatoes were in the dough either. We definitely were on the same wave length, I can see me cutting that horizontally and making the most delicious sandwich out of it, one of my readers said she puts a whole frittata inside, delicious too. Loved your comment on my blog, i was cracking up!
Ciao Chow Linda
Oh wow. You have created a perfect focaccia Pugliese. I am pinning this and making it when the weather cools a bit. You and Marie of Proud Italian Cook are a perfect match today, since she posted a mouth-watering sandwich using focaccia. Puglia is such a beautiful region with beautiful beaches and great food. Can't wait to go back.