Focaccia with fried tomato
Fragrant and aromatic, this focaccia with fried tomato is a superb idea for a delicious snack between meals. You can also prepare it in large quantities and take it to the beach or the office, depending on whether you are on holiday or not. And it’s also excellent as a mid-day snack. The only flaw is that perhaps it is not suitable for those on a diet or who prefer eating something light, because the tomato is coated in batter and fried. But sometimes it’s OK to fall out of line, isn’t it? If not, you can make your bread with fresh, uncooked (and certainly not fried) tomato for a lighter and equally tasty snack. This time we want to follow the recipe to the letter, dipping the tomato in batter and frying. Obviously, in this case, the focaccia is best if served hot. If you fill your bread with fresh, uncooked tomato you can also serve it cold, perhaps accompanied by a lovely cold beer!
Ingredients
* approximate values per serving
Preparation
Prepare a bread dough following our basic recipe and let it rise for 1 hour. Divide the dough into 4 pieces and roll them out into circles. Prick the dough with a fork, then coat it with plenty of oil and cover with a little whole sea salt. Let it rise again for 30 minutes. Bake for 30 minutes at 240°C. Cut the tomato into 3 cm thick slices. Prepare a tempura batter with Manitoba flour and water, making as many lumps in it as possible. Dip the tomato slices in the batter and fry in hot oil for 4 minutes, then drain and dry on kitchen paper. Slice the freshly baked focaccia and fill them with one or two slices of the fried tomato to make a lovely sandwich.
Step by step
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Prepare a dough for the bread following our basic recipe, and leave to rise for 1 hour. Divide the dough into 4 and roll out into circles
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Prick the focaccia with a fork, then smear with plenty of olive oil on both sides and sprinkle over some coarsely ground sea salt. Leave to rise for 30 minutes, then bake for 30 minutes at 240°C
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Make a tempura batter with the strong flour and water, leaving plenty of lumps
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Cut the tomato into 3cm thick slices. Dip the tomato slices in the batter then fry in hot oil for 4 minutes, then drain and dry well on kitchen paper
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Batter the tomatoes and fry in boiling oil for 4 minutes, then drain and dry well
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Here’s how the fried tomato looks!
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Slice the just cooked focaccia and fill with two slices of fried tomato
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Additional information
Focaccia with Fried Tomato and Fresh Oregano
A delicious variation of the classic focaccia is the Focaccia with Fried Tomato and Fresh Oregano. In this version, in addition to the fried tomatoes, a sprinkle of fresh oregano is added to further enhance the flavor of the dish. To prepare it, follow the basic focaccia recipe, but before baking, evenly distribute the fried tomatoes over the dough and sprinkle with oregano. The result will be a fragrant focaccia rich in Mediterranean flavors, perfect for accompanying appetizers or as a main dish. The combination of fried tomato and oregano will make every bite a journey through the scents of summer.
Focaccia with Fried Tomato from Puglia
The Focaccia with Fried Tomato from Puglia is a dish that perfectly represents the culinary tradition of this region. Here, the preparation involves the use of high-quality fresh tomatoes, which are fried and then placed on the focaccia before baking. The characteristic of this variant is the simplicity of the ingredients, which allows the flavor of the tomato to emerge strongly. Additionally, the Pugliese focaccia is often enriched with black olives or capers, which add a salty touch and contrast with the sweetness of the tomato. This dish is ideal for a summer picnic or as an appetizer during a dinner with friends.
Light Focaccia with Fried Tomato
If you desire a lighter version, you can try the Light Focaccia with Fried Tomato. In this preparation, the use of oil is reduced and baking is chosen over frying. To achieve the light fried tomato, you can simply grill the tomatoes instead of frying them, thus maintaining an intense flavor but with fewer calories. Additionally, you can use whole wheat flour for the dough, increasing the fiber content and making the focaccia more digestible. This variant is perfect for those following a balanced diet without giving up the taste of traditional focaccia.
Benefits of Fried Tomato in Focaccia
The fried tomato is not only delicious but also brings numerous health benefits. Rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, the tomato helps fight free radicals and protect cells. Furthermore, tomatoes are a good source of vitamins C, K, and potassium, contributing to strengthening the immune system and maintaining bone health. Regarding calories, a serving of Focaccia with Fried Tomato contains about 250-300 calories, depending on the ingredients used and the portions. This makes it a tasty yet nutritious option to include in your diet.
Can Focaccia with Fried Tomato be frozen?
A common question is whether it is possible to freeze Focaccia with Fried Tomato. The answer is yes! You can freeze the focaccia both before and after baking. If you decide to freeze it before baking, make sure to wrap it well in plastic wrap and place it in a food bag. This way, you can bake it directly from the freezer, increasing the baking time by a few minutes. If, on the other hand, you freeze it after baking, let it cool completely, then place it in an airtight container. When ready to consume, simply reheat it in the oven to restore its original freshness.