
One mention of a food that interests us, and we're off.
Our friend Luisa, who writes a food blog called The Wednesday Chef, spent a good part of her summer in Italy, with her family there. Clearly feeling nostalgic for her time there, Luisa spent weeks trying to replicate her grandmother's focaccia bread. The photographs of her last, successful attempt left us both a little dazed. We wanted some.
Of course, we had to change it quite a bit, since hers contained gluten.
I was shocked to find that most authentic Italian focaccia breads contain a potato. But it makes sense. Boil the potato and then put it through the ricer and you have a light-as-air starch. Focaccia breads are lighter than other breads. The egg white, beaten to stiff peaks, adds lightness here too, like a soufflé. Try this bread with rosemary or oregano. It's a little taste of Italy, right in your kitchen.
If you are allergic to eggs, you can omit the egg here. The focaccia will be a little denser than the version with egg, but it will still taste good.
Suggestions:
Try using the focaccia to make a sandwich with fig spread, salami, prosciutto, and fresh mozzarella.
