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Banana, Walnut, and Chocolate Focaccia

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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Comments

  2. 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

  3. 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.,

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  4. 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

  5. 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

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