Carnival Focaccia with Pork, Mozzarella, and Pecorino

Focaccia di Carnevale (Carnival Focaccia)
Category: Leavened Bread | Servings: 10 | Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes

Carnival Focaccia is a rustic, savory Italian bread filled with delicious ingredients like tender pork, mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh onions. This traditional recipe, perfect for celebrations or a hearty family meal, brings together a beautifully soft, flavorful dough with a rich, savory filling. Prepare this delightful dish for your next festive gathering and enjoy its irresistible taste and texture.

Ingredients

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

1. Activate the Yeast
   Begin by dissolving the fresh yeast in 220g of lukewarm water. Stir gently until the yeast is completely dissolved.

2. Mix the Dough
   Add the 00 flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix everything together until well combined. Transfer the dough onto a clean work surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a ball.

3. First Rise
   Place the dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.

Prepare the Filling:

4. Prepare the Pork
   While the dough is rising, cut the pork coppa into small cubes, around 10-11 pieces per chunk. Set aside.

5. Cook the Onions
   Peel and slice the onion into thin wedges. Heat a bit of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Cook the Pork
   Add the cubed pork to the pan with the onions. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the pork is just cooked through—be careful not to overcook the meat as it will become tough. Once the pork is cooked, remove the mixture from the pan with a slotted spoon to discard any excess liquid. Set aside to cool.

7. Prepare the Mozzarella
   Cube the mozzarella into irregular chunks.

Assemble the Focaccia:

8. Divide the Dough
   Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion into a thin sheet, about 3mm thick.

9. Grease the Pan
   Grease a round baking pan with a diameter of 28.5 cm at the base and 32.5 cm at the top with a little olive oil.

10. Layer the Filling
    Place the first sheet of dough into the pan. Spread the pork and onion mixture evenly over the dough, followed by the canned tomatoes and mozzarella cubes. Sprinkle the grated Pecorino cheese evenly over the filling.

11. Top with Second Dough Layer
    Place the second rolled-out dough sheet over the filling, making sure it covers the entire pan. Pinch the edges of the dough together to seal the focaccia, folding the edges inward to create a decorative pattern around the border.

12. Final Touch
    Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the top of the focaccia with more olive oil to give it a golden, crisp finish while baking.

Bake the Focaccia:

13. Preheat the Oven
    Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).

14. Bake
    Bake the focaccia for 25-30 minutes, or until the dough is golden and crispy and the filling is bubbling.

15. Serve
    Remove the focaccia from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before cutting into slices. Serve warm, and enjoy the savory richness of this traditional Carnival dish!

Tips for Success:

• Dough Consistency: Ensure the dough is smooth and elastic for the best texture. Don’t rush the kneading process—it’s key to getting the right crumb.
• Filling Variations: If desired, you can add other ingredients like olives, peppers, or herbs to the filling for added flavor.
• Resting Time: Let the focaccia rest after baking to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.

Enjoy your homemade Focaccia di Carnevale! This traditional Italian bread is a real treat that blends a hearty filling with a light, fluffy dough. Perfect for family meals, parties, or any occasion where you want to impress your guests with something deliciously unique.