Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers/Snacks
    • Main Courses
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Vegetarian
    • Gluten-Free
    • Close
  • Press
  • Contact

Southern Boy Dishes

Cook Eat Dish

Banana, Walnut, and Chocolate Focaccia

Bill Harris・11 Comments

Banana, Walnut, and Chocolate Focaccia

We recently traveled to New York to attend the wedding of some good friends. Just around the corner from their loft in the Flatiron District, we discovered Eataly, my new favorite spot in the city.  The New York Times described it as a “megastore” that “combines elements of a bustling European open market, a Whole-Foods-style supermarket, a high-end food court and a New Age learning center.”

An Italian megastore it is indeed! Boasting several restaurants, Eataly houses long aisles of olive oil, handmade pasta, an amazing selection of cheeses, seafood, and meats. If anything makes me feel like a kid in a toy store, this place does.

We made two visits to Eataly during our stay in the city. We truly had the full New York experience when we ended up there at 4 P.M. on Friday afternoon. To describe the space as crowded would be a spectacular understatement. Fighting shoulder to shoulder shoppers challenged our effort for a late lunch. We finally managed to grab a fabulous sandwich with roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and pesto on a crusty baguette and one of the best cappuccinos I’ve had.

Banana, Walnut, and Chocolate Focaccia

Our second visit on Sunday afternoon proved to be a bit more relaxed. I resisted the temptation to buy everything in sight, knowing that we’d be boarding a plane shortly. We made our way to the bakery and nabbed a couple of focacce: one with apple and cinnamon and the other with banana and chocolate chips. We barely made it out the store before both were gone.

As we made our way back to Atlanta, I promptly committed to making my own version of banana and chocolate focaccia. This flat Italian bread, similar in texture to pizza dough, typically features savory flavors. I was excited by the variation of using fruit, and for today’s post, I’m sharing my “Eataly-inspired” Banana, Walnut, and Chocolate Focaccia.

Print
Banana, Walnut, and Chocolate Focaccia

Prep Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 50 minutes

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Banana, Walnut, and Chocolate Focaccia

Ingredients

4 cups unbleached flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons sugar, divided, plus 2 teaspoons for topping

1 3/4 cups warm water (110-115 degrees)

1 packet yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)

1/4 cup canola oil, plus 1 tablespoon

2 bananas, sliced

3/4 cup walnut pieces

3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Whisk flours, salt, and 2 tablespoons sugar together in a medium bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk together water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Set aside for 5 to 10 minutes until yeast activates and creates a foam on top of liquid.

2. Transfer flour mixture and liquid to the bowl of a mixer. Using a dough hook, mix and knead for 7 to 8 minutes. If mixing by hand, combine ingredients in a large bowl and stir with a spoon until dough forms. Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead by hand for 7 to 8 minutes.

3. Coat a large bowl with 1 tablespoon of canola oil. Transfer dough to bowl and roll over to coat dough with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until dough has doubled in size.

4. Pour 1/4 cup canola oil onto a 12x17 inch baking sheet and spread around. Transfer dough to baking sheet and begin spreading and stretching dough to fit the baking sheet. Turn the dough a couple of times to coat the dough with oil. Spread your fingers and begin to press deep dimples into dough. It's okay if you create a few holes in the dough. Place baking sheet in a warm place and let rise again for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

5. While dough is rising the second time, preheat oven to 425 degrees. When dough has risen, place banana slices on top of dough. Spread walnuts and 2 teaspoons sugar over dough and place pan in oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until focaccia is golden brown.

6. Remove from oven and cool for 10 to 15 minutes. While still slightly warm, spread chocolate chips over focaccia and serve. Focaccia can be eaten warm or at room temperature.

3.1
https://southernboydishes.com/2014/12/16/banana-walnut-and-chocolate-focaccia/

You may also like:

  • Sweet Potato Biscuits
    Sweet Potato Biscuits
  • Blueberry Banana Scones
    Blueberry Banana Scones
  • Buttermilk Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
    Buttermilk Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
  • Scones with Pears and Cheddar Cheese
    Scones with Pear and Cheddar Cheese
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Bill Harris
I grew up in small town Mississippi eating traditional southern fare.A lifelong foodie, I started cooking and experimenting with food at a very young age. I started Southern Boy Dishes as a creative outlet and a way to share my love of food.
Latest posts by Bill Harris (see all)
  • Roasted Cauliflower and Fennel Soup - November 8, 2015
  • Smoky and Sweet Turkey Chili{+ a Cookbook Giveaway} - October 27, 2015
  • Black-Eyed Pea and Collard Stew with Turkey Sausage - October 16, 2015

Share this:

  • Share on Tumblr
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Baked Goods, Bread, Breakfast, Desserts, Healthful Dishes, Holiday, Recipes, Vegetarian

Comments

  1. Jorshaq says

    January 5, 2015 at 7:50 pm

    this looking so yummy, I will definitely try this recipe.

    Reply
  2. mjskit says

    December 19, 2014 at 5:10 am

    What fun it is to recreate a recipe that you’ve enjoyed elsewhere! This is an interesting and unexpected foccacia with the bananas and chocolate. I just love it!!! If I ever make to NY, I’ll be looking up Eataly, that’s for sure.
    Wishing you and your family a very wonderful holiday season!

    Reply
    • Bill Harris says

      December 20, 2014 at 1:13 pm

      Thank you, MJ! Definitely make it by Eataly if you’re in NY. Hope you have happy holidays as well!!

      Reply
  3. John@Kitchen Riffs says

    December 17, 2014 at 3:42 pm

    NYC has always had great food on offer, but it’s really gotten so much better. We worked there in the 80s and 90s, and just visited there a few months ago. It’s amazing how much good stuff is available all over the city! You used to have to make treks to specific stores to find what you wanted — now there are numerous competing places all over the city. Anyway, what a great recipe! Wonderful — thanks.,

    Reply
    • Bill Harris says

      December 20, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      Thanks, John! Hope you have wonderful holidays!

      Reply
  4. Jeff Parker says

    December 17, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    First, I LOVE Eataly! I had a job in New York a couple months ago and the studio that I was working at was just a couple blocks away. I know what you mean by that late after eon Friday mob… Yikes! Second, Banana, Walnut and Chocolate Foccacia?! OMG Yes, please! That will be coming to a table near me very soon! Thanks, Bill

    Reply
    • Bill Harris says

      December 20, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      Great to hear from you, Jeff! I hope you have great holidays!!

      Reply
  5. Jane Allison says

    December 16, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    I discovered Eataly on a trip there in 2013 and was blown away. With all of the food places in NYC, we also went there twice to eat. Didn’t notice the banana and chocolate chip foccacia, but this looks delicious. Thanks for sharing, and Merry Christmas!

    Reply
    • Bill Harris says

      December 16, 2014 at 7:31 pm

      Thanks for dropping by, Jane! Hope all is well with you and have a very Merry Christmas!

      Reply
  6. Yankee Kitchen Ninja (Julianne) says

    December 16, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    YEAH! Jealous that you got to go to Eataly — I still haven’t been but NEED to get there. And I’m loving this sweet riff on focaccia. I see myself eating it on Christmas morning. Nicely done, Bill!

    Reply
    • Bill Harris says

      December 16, 2014 at 7:30 pm

      Thanks, Julianne! You definitely need to go. You’ll be in heaven! Hope you guys have great holidays!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hello, my name is Bill and welcome to Southern Boy Dishes. My relationship with food started many years ago. I came into the world with a ravenous appetite and I remember being in the kitchen with my mother… Read More

SBDs Picks

Fried Chicken Tacos with Collard Slaw & Chipotle Ranch Dressing

Fried Chicken Tacos with Collard Slaw and Chipotle Ranch Dressing

White Bean and Chicken Chili

White Bean and Chicken Chili

Pan-Seared Chicken with Parmesan Grits & Mushroom Gravy

Chicken Breast with Parmesan Grits

Chicken Gumbo Pot Pies

Chicken Gumbo Pot Pie

Most Popular

Bacon-Mushroom Frittata {Plus a Cookbook Giveaway}

Bacon Mushroom Frittata

Stuffed Flank Steak

Stuffed Flank Steak

Classic Pork Stew

Classic Pork Stew

Lemon Icebox Pie

Lemon Icebox Pie

photo galleries

Foodgawker

like sbd on facebook

follow sbd on google+

follow sbd on twitter

Follow @southernboydish

follow sbd on pinterest

Follow Me on Pinterest

Categories

Copyright © 2023 · Southern Boy Dishes · Website by New Tricks Web Design