I love authentic focaccia made with a generous amount of olive oil (see video below). My recipe is inspired by Ligurian-born restaurateur, Lucio Galletto, who uses more water and oil in his recipe than many I’ve seen, which is what makes his focaccia so delicious. I love how versatile focaccia is and especially enjoy potato focaccia topped with golden slices of potato. I use Nicola potatoes as they crisp up beautifully when cooked. Serve this potato focaccia for aperitivo with a glass of Lowe Family Wine Co. Bio-logical Ansonica. This delicious slightly skinsy wine is made from Sicilian grape inzolia, also called ansonica. 

Serves 4 as a starter, side dish or snack

Ingredients
  • ¾ teaspoon dried yeast (about 2g)
  • Pinch sugar
  • ⅔ cup warm water (160ml)
  • 250g plain flour, plus extra for dusting (1⅔ cups/9oz)
  • Salt flakes, to taste
  • 100ml extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for greasing
  • 2 small Nicola potatoes (about 200g/7oz)
Method
  1. Combine yeast, sugar and half the warm water (⅓ cup/80ml) in a small bowl and set aside for 10–15 minutes, until it starts to froth.
  2. Place flour and a pinch of salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook.
  3. Add yeast mixture, remaining water and 2 tablespoons (40ml) of the oil and mix on low speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl until everything is combined.
  4. Mix on medium speed for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
  5. Shape into a ball, coat in oil and place in a clean bowl. Cover and set aside in a warm spot for at least 2 hours, until doubled in size.
  6. Generously grease the base and sides of a baking dish about 26 x 20cm (10″ x 8″) or 25cm (10″) diameter.
  7. Roll or stretch out the dough to roughly the size of the dish.
  8. Put it in the dish and stretch it out to cover the base evenly.
  9. Dimple the top with your fingertips, cover and set aside for another 30 minutes or so.
  10. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
  11. Peel and finely slice potato, toss with 1 tablespoon (20ml) of the remaining oil and set aside.
  12. Drizzle another tablespoon (20ml) of oil over the dough and brush it across the surface evenly; sprinkle generously with salt.
  13. Arrange potato on top.
  14. Drizzle with remaining oil and place in the oven.
  15. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until potato is golden, basting the potato occasionally with the oil around the sides of the tin.
  16. Cut potato focaccia into slices and serve warm.

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How To Make Focaccia

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Belinda (Balmain, NSW, Aus)
Belinda (Balmain, NSW, Aus)
I’ve been on three of Roberta’s food and wine tours and each has been an amazing well-organised experience. From remarkable Venice and the surrounding Veneto region to historic Rome and Pompeii, the spectacular Amalfi Coast, and the charming villages of Switzerland – each tour offers something special. Then there’s the food in fabulous places where you can truly eat like a local – inspired travel through great food, wine and company. I’m already looking forward to the next one!
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Beverly (Woden, ACT, Aus)
Had a fabulous time on Roberta’s back to back tours of Southern Italy and Veneto – good to revisit some places I knew well, like Rome and Venice, and discover new ones, like Matera and Padua. Fantastic and varied food experiences, great cooking classes, met interesting wine makers, restaurateurs and other food artisans and drank some beautiful wines. Highly recommend both tours – and doing them together. I’ll definitely be doing another tour with Roberta.
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Mark (Elizabeth Bay, NSW, Aus)
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Shelley (Auckland, NZ)
Roberta’s passion for Italy shone throughout an unforgettable food and wine tour. She introduced us to family-owned artisanal producers, where we experienced everything from attic-aged balsamic to small-batch wines, Parma ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano. The local guides were equally passionate, and the excellent transport and accommodation made the trip effortless. This tour captured the region’s traditions, flavours and people, and thanks to Roberta’s deep knowledge we left with wonderful memories. A truly authentic culinary adventure.
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Diane (Cremorne Point, NSW, Aus)
Relaxed, organised and well-paced – I enjoyed a wonderful small group tour starting in Rome, then travelling down the Amalfi Coast to stay at a family estate where we were treated like old friends. It included some hidden gems too, notably on our way to Matera, a fascinating town built into the side of a mountain. We finished with Naples and Pompeii – with plenty of wine and more new tastes. Roberta is a specialist and very personable as she hosts and explains every detail of the food and wine experience.
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Fiona (Blackheath, NSW, Aus)
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Di (Manly, NSW, Aus)
We had always travelled independently, so a small group tour felt like a risk, but by day 2 we knew it was the right choice. Roberta knows people and places far from the tourist trail: winery lunches, a family lemon grove high on the Amalfi Coast, a third-generation cheesemaker, an amazing cave hotel in Matera. We'll definitely travel with Roberta again.
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