Focaccia di Recco

Liguria, a region on Italy’s northwest coast, is known for its dramatic seaside cliffs and a deeply rooted culinary tradition shaped by the Mediterranean. At first, Focaccia di Recco might not look special. There’s no tall, fluffy crumb or heavy toppings, just thin, delicate layers of dough baked until they turn lightly golden. But as soon as you break into it, everything changes.
Inside, the stracchino cheese begins to ooze, soft and creamy. Stracchino is a fresh Italian cheese with a mild, slightly tangy flavor and a smooth, spreadable texture. If you cannot find it, a mild cream cheese or young mozzarella can work as a substitute. The cheese stretches a little from the heat. The top stays crisp and almost fragile, while the bottom is sturdy enough to hold everything together. It’s simple but incredibly satisfying. There’s that contrast: first crunch, then melt, and finally a hint of salt from the dough.
It’s the kind of food you enjoy by the sea.
In Liguria, this isn’t just for special occasions. It’s an everyday food, shared and pulled apart with your hands, maybe with a glass of something cold and local like Vermentino wine, a crisp white that pairs perfectly with the cheese and the sea air. There’s no ceremony or fuss, just good ingredients, made right.
That’s what makes it special: no distractions, just dough and cheese, made so well that nothing else is needed.

 

Yields4 Servings
Prep Time20 minsCook Time10 minsTotal Time30 mins

 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
 1/2 cup water, more if needed
 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
 300g stracchino cheese (if stracchino is unavailable, a good substitute is a combination of soft, creamy cheeses like taleggio and ricotta)
 Coarse sea salt for finishing

Dough Preparation
1

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt. Gradually add 1/2 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil, mixing until a dough starts to form. If the dough is too dry, add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until it comes together.

2

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.

Preheat Oven:
3

While the dough is resting, preheat your oven to its highest setting (ideally around 250°C or 480°F). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven now to heat up as well.

Assemble the Focaccia:
4

Divide the rested dough into two equal parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one part of the dough as thin as possible, aiming to get it almost translucent if you can.

5

Carefully transfer this thin dough layer onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the stracchino cheese (or its substitute) evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

6

Roll out the second piece of dough, making it as thin as the first. Lay it over the cheese, and gently press the edges to seal.

Baking:
7

Drizzle the top with a little extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

8

Bake in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are crispy and golden brown. Watch it closely, as the thin dough can burn quickly.

Serving:
9

Remove the focaccia from the oven and let it cool slightly on a wire rack. This dish is best enjoyed warm, allowing the cheese to be delightfully gooey when sliced.

Ingredients

 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
 1/2 cup water, more if needed
 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
 300g stracchino cheese (if stracchino is unavailable, a good substitute is a combination of soft, creamy cheeses like taleggio and ricotta)
 Coarse sea salt for finishing
Focaccia di Recco

Perfect Wine Pairing:

To complement the creamy, savory flavors of Focaccia di Recco, a Vermentino from Liguria is the perfect match. Vermentino is a crisp white wine with a bright acidity and minerality that will cut through the cheese’s richness without overpowering the focaccia’s delicate flavors. Its citrus and green apple notes and a slight almond finish provide a refreshing counterpoint to the dish, making each bite and sip a delightful experience.

Author

  • Alberto is a Calgary-based hospitality professional and the founder of OvenSource. His background is rooted in restaurant operations, guest experience, and concept-driven dining, with years spent working closely inside hospitality environments where food, service, and atmosphere all matter equally.

    Through OvenSource, he brings together practical restaurant insight, a traveler’s perspective, and a deep personal interest in how food connects people to memory and place.

    View all posts Founder & Editor

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