May 19, 2014

Rye focaccia with baby beets and feta


Baby beets, another early Spring favorite...









Rye focaccia with baby beets and feta
by Gray Apron
time: 20 min preparation + 3 hrs inactive + (10 + 17) min baking

 ingredients 
bread
800 ml (3 1/3 cups) flourI used: 300 g (2 cups) regular flour + 150 g (1 1/3 cups) whole rye flour
25 g (1 oz) fresh yeast
350 ml (1 1/2 cup) lukewarm water
5 g (1 teaspoons) sugar
15 g (2 teaspoons) salt
60 ml (4 Tablespoons) olive oil
topping
300 g (2/3 lb) baby beets ,cut lengthwise if heads too big, root ends cut off
2 Tablespoons liquid honey
olive oil
100 g (3.5 oz) feta
chopped parsley for finishing

 instructions 
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast with 1/2 cup water (taken from the whole amount) and sugar. In a cup, dissolve salt with the rest of water. Add oil

In a bowl of a standing mixer with a hook attachment, sift in flour(s). With a couple moves of your hands, work in the yeast mix. Pour in water/salt/oil mix and let the mixer knead the dough for 10 minutes on "stir". Check often if there is any dry flour left on the bottom of the bowl. The dough will result quite loose, it will stick to the sides. Form a smooth ball by scraping any dough that is stuck to the bowl. Place it  (covered with a plastic wrap) in a warm place (f.ex. oven turned off) for 2 hours till it doubles in size. 

Prepare beets: preheat oven to 200C/400F (fan forced function). Line a half baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place whole beets on the sheet and, using your hands, cover them with honey. Place it in the hot oven for 10 minutes.

Transfer your dough onto the baking sheet and stretch it with your oily fingers to fit your sheet. Arrange roasted beets on top. Drop feta chunks on top. Rise oven temperature to 250C/500F (fan forced function). Let it rise for 30 minutes (optional). 

Set focaccia in the hot oven for about 17 minutes.  Release it from the baking sheet with a wooden tool if necessary. Drizzle with olive oil, drop parsley on top and serve.

NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES
  • it's the first time I've used whole rye flour in a focaccia (out of spelt for the moment);
  • the dough behaved like it should during kneading, rising, baking;
  • the bread had a sweet hint which went quite well with sweet beets;
  • you can chop the beets and use double or triple the amount (I did it last year) but I wanted see them whole, almost intact.

24 comments:

  1. Wow, I love the combo of beets and feta on a salad, so I know I'd love it on bread!!!

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  2. Since I see the word feta, you can count me in!

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  3. I can't imagine how wonderful this is! Love the flavors, colors and the whole "outside the box" idea. Great post!

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  4. Wow, love the different ingredients you used!

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  5. I would have never thought to put beets on foccacia. Love this!

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  6. This looks so bright that it has to be perfectly tasty Ela :)

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  7. Can I trade my bread with yours? This looks amazing, Ela. And those baby beets are simply irresistible. Well done, Ela.

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  8. This pizza looks delicious! Beetroot and feta is really delicious combination!

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  9. This absolutely mouthwatering! Feta and beetroots is a great combo!
    Well done,sweet Ela!

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  10. How absolutely delicious, Ela! And so pretty too. I love all the flavors :)

    Toodles,
    Tammy<3

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  11. Your baby beets are totally adorable, Ela! I love them on the focaccia...so pretty and I bet delicious.

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  12. The baby beets look amazing!! Would totally love to make one too except not sure if I will be able to find any baby beets where I live :( Sounds delicious too!

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  13. Just love how you are playing with he look of the foods and making them so decorative. Nice focacia.

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  14. I love this focaccia Ela
    And baby beets:)

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  15. Ela, That looks wonderful!!! It looks like heaven, rustic, hardy and ready to dip in olive oil.
    Blessings dear. Catherine xo

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  16. Gosh, I still have been meaning to try making focaccia at home! This looks so good - especially with the beets and feta!

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  17. Wow, this is such a great idea!!I think I need to make this right now!

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  18. Beets are so good! This looks great, love the recipe :)

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  19. Wow, Ela! That is some gorgeous focaccia. Love the addition of the baby beets and you can't beat feta. Love it!

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  20. The colors are so striking. A very unusual and delicious-looking focaccia!

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  21. Oh my goodness Ela, this focaccia looks incredible! I love all the pretty colors here: )

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  22. Hi Ela, you have outdone yourself, this looks amazing, love this combination. What will you come up with next?

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  23. Those baby beets are so pretty! I think we have similar taste buds - beets are also a favorite of mine. What a delicious way to use them!

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