Lecce, Focaccia Pugliese and Staying Positive
An excerpt for The Basic Art Of Italian Cooking Diaries: Seasons By Maria Liberati
“Today’s dish is a souvenir from a few summers ago during my visit to the city of Baroque beauty. I can still remember the taste of Focaccia Pugliese. So simple in its ingredients, yet bursting with so much flavor, surrounded by a city constructed in pale yellow stones. A city rich in culinary traditions from the wild herbs and beans. Be sure to get a taste of the cake made with almond paste baked by the sisters of the Monastery of San Giovanni. This is considered one of Italy’s finest. Well worth a trip! Oh well…finally go to make my Focaccia Pugliese. It is the true essence of the simplistic, but delicious cooking in the South.
Focaccia Pugliese
Ingredients:
- 1 pound flour
- 2 potatoes
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 cube of yeast, melted in warm water with a tablespoon of sugar
- a pinch salt
- 10 cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon of pitted green olives
- a dash of extra virgin olive oil
- a small handful of sea salt
- A pinch of oregano
Instructions:
- Start by boiling potatoes. Drain and while still hot, peel and mash, and set aside.
- Place flour on a wooden board and form a well. Next, place mashed potatoes, salt, and melted yeast into that well.
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Blend together adding water or more flour as needed till a smooth ball of dough is formed.
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Cut a cross with a knife into the top of the dough ball and cover with a clean kitchen towel.
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Set aside and let rise for 2 hours; it should double in volume.
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When the dough is ready, oil a round pizza pan. Place dough on the pan.
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Place small tomatoes and olives on top, and press them into the dough.
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Cover with oregano, salt to taste, and a drizzle of olive oil.
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Cook in an oven preheated to 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
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Serve hot with a glass of dry red wine and Enjoy!
Dorothy Graham O’Dell
Dorothy Graham O’Dell is a mentor and life coach, who is a big advocate of having a positive mindset. In a world that is full of uncertainty, and that has an atmosphere where it is easy for a person to get overwhelmed. Dorothy Graham O’Dell has some tips to help keep a positive mindset. Every morning, she starts out her day by setting aside 15 minutes for reflection and to connect with herself. She loves routines, as they help her stay grounded and she is less likely to get overwhelmed. In those 15 minutes, she focuses on the day ahead and gives thanks to God for her life and all things in it. Her relationship with a higher power, God, has helped her have a more positive mental well-being. Each morning Dorothy writes three things that she wants to accomplish each day and reflects on yesterday’s goal to keep her accountable for the day. If the goals are not accomplished, then it is okay, it’s more about the positive orientation of her thoughts.
Another tip that Ms. Graham O’Dell has for others is to surround yourself with people who are going to lift you up, not drag you down. It is easy to get caught up in the pessimistic tendencies of life and having good people around you to help you through those tough days, will help you maintain a more positive outlook on life.
“There are lots of setbacks on the path to success, but stick with it good things do come.”
-Maria Liberati (2022)
Currently, Dorothy Graham O’Dell is adding to her repertoire, helping promote first-time authors, by installing a 12-week program to help launch their books through exposure to large audiences. She is continuing to build an audience for her shows. You can find Dorothy Graham O’Dell on:
Linked-In: @ Dorothy Graham O’Dell
Facebook: @DorothyGrahamO’Dell
Website: https://www.unstoppableovercomers.com
Stay tuned for more delicious recipes and fun special guests on the Maria Liberati Show!