Fig and Fontina Flatbread with Rosemary
The recipe below makes two large cookie sheet size breads with a slightly puffy crust. If you like your crusts thin, as we do, you can split the dough into thirds and roll it out thinner, making three smaller breads from the same batch of dough. You’ll need to watch it more closely as the ends will cook quickly.
1 package active dry yeast
1/4 C. hot water (100 degrees – very hot tap water will do)
A pinch of sugar
3 C. all-purpose flour (I used King Arthur’s bread flour); more as needed
2 T. olive oil, plus a little more
2 tsp. coarse kosher or sea salt
3/4 C. water
1 C. shredded Fontina cheese
1 C. shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 lb. black mission figs
Fresh rosemary (optional)
Salt and pepper
Pour 1/4 C. hot water into a small bowl. Sprinkle the yeast on top along with a pinch of sugar. Give a quick stir and let sit till bubbles rise. Combine flour, salt, olive oil and activated yeast in a food processor. Begin processing and add 3/4 C. water through feed tube. Process, adding a little more water if necessary, until mixture forms a slightly sticky ball. Turn dough onto a floured work surface, and knead to form a smooth, round ball. Put dough ball in a bowl, and cover with a clean damp towel. Let rise until dough doubles in size, 1-2 hours. Just before the dough is done rising, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the figs by cutting them in half lengthwise (de-stem the ends with the knife if needed), then trimming the backsides flat, so you end up with nice thick slices with skins just around the edges. Divide dough in half and roll it onto lightly oil-greased baking sheets. Rub a little olive oil over the doughs, and divide cheese and figs among them. Sprinkle generously with fresh rosemary, salt and freshly ground pepper. Bake in the oven on the top shelf for 8-10 minutes, until golden. Cut into squares using a pizza cutter and serve.