Southern Women

Cast Iron Skillet. 

I don't know about you, but when I think about a cast iron skillet, it always brings to mind a picture of either my mother or one of my grandmothers. These fabulous southern women certainly knew how to cook a delicious southern meal. And of course, that southern meal would probably involve using a cast iron skillet. Corn bread, sausage gravy, wilted lettuce, and you can't forget fried chicken! These are some of the things that I can picture (and taste) these southern women making.

While I am still a southern woman, I am also a modern woman. I like to let different cultures influence my cooking. One of my favorite influences is Italy. I love Italy! I have been twice and I can't wait to go back.

Speaking of Italy, have you ever had focaccia bread? Because it is so good. It is an Italian bread that normally has some sort of herbs or spices incorporated into it. Now, I never would have thought that I could make focaccia bread in a cast iron skillet, but I did! It might not be your traditional dish in the cast iron skillet, but don't count it out!

This Skillet Focaccia Bread is so delicious. And it only takes about an hour!

Here's the recipe:

Skillet Focaccia Bread

Ingredients:

    For the Dough:

   3/4 c warm water

    1/2 tsp granulated sugar 

  1 1/2 tsp yeast 

  2 Tbsp olive or canola oil 

      2 c all-purpose flour ( divided ) 

   1/2 tsp salt 

Parmesan butter brush:
3 Tbsp unsalted or salted butter, melted 
1 Tbsp grated parmesan
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (use fresh Rosemary if you can find it!)

Directions:
1. Place water and sugar in a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer. Stir until sugar dissolves.
2. Sprinkle yeast over the water and stir few times. Let sit until foamy ( about 5 minutes).
3. Turn the mixer on low speed and add 1 cup of flour and salt. Mix until combined.
4. Add oil and mix well.
5. Gradually add as much of the remaining cup of flour as you can ( it can be only 3/4 of it) and mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
6. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 220 degrees F and when it's ready turn it off. Keep the door closed.
7. Grease the skillet.
8. Place dough onto a floured surface (use the remaining flour from the second cup or more if needed) and fold the dough few times until you feel it's smooth and not sticky anymore. Shape into a ball.
9. Roll out the dough into a size of your skillet.
10. Place in skillet. Stretch up the sides. Cover with a kitchen towel and place in the oven for 20 minutes.
11. Take the skillet out of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Make indentations in the dough with your fingers.
12. Mix melted butter, parmesan and seasoning in a small bowl. Brush the dough with half the butter.
13. Place skillet with dough in the preheated oven and bake 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with remaining butter. Let cool until safe to the touch and slice. Enjoy!