Winter Focaccia with Buttercup Squash

HomeClinics & ProgramsELLICSR KitchenWinter Focaccia with Buttercup Squash

Skill Level	Intermediate

Preparation Time	2 hours (for double rise)	Total Time	2 hours (for double rise) + 30 minutes
Servings	10	Cost Per Serving	$0.60

Focaccia Dough

2 cups	Flour (Unbleached All Purpose Flour or Bread Flour)
175 ml	Warm Water
1 tbsp	Dry Active Yeast
2 tbsp	Olive Oil
1 tsp	Honey
1/2 tsp	Sea Salt

Squash and Kale Topping

1/2 cup	Squash, cooked
1/4 cup	Kale, cooked
2 tbsp	Kalamata Olives
2 tbsp each	Rosemary and Sage, removed from stem
1 tbsp	Olive Oil
To Taste	Sea Salt

Add the flour, yeast and salt to a food processor (or a bowl) and combine until well blended. Slowly add and combine the warm water, olive oil and honey. Combine until a ball of dough forms. Place the dough onto a cutting board with a dusting of flour and fold the dough over and into itself several times until you form a smooth ball. Don’t overwork the dough otherwise the bread will be tough. Grease a bowl lightly with oil, set the dough into the bowl and cover. Place in a warm spot in the house to rise for about 1 hour.
After the first rise place the dough into a baking dish and lightly press down. Either refrigerate for use later, or cover and set aside for a second rise (about 1 hour).
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Top the focaccia with your toppings and bake in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown.

PDF link to nutrition facts table for winter focaccia with buttercup squash

If your appetite is reduced or if you have diarrhea, choosing lower fibre options such as bread made from unbleached white flour can help.
Experiment with different flavours to help improve your appetite. Herbs such as rosemary, oregano and basil are gentle on the stomach but can help excite your taste buds.
Serving bread with non-hydrogenated margarine, olive oil or dips and spreads made with oils, nuts and seeds or cheese adds healthy fats which can help you get enough calories.
Tart foods such as cranberries, lemons, limes, oranges and pickles can help stimulate saliva production which may improve your appetite. Adding tart or sour flavours to food can also help with taste changes, which often reduce appetite. If you have mouth sores, avoid tart foods until you heal.
Carry snacks such as foccacia, cereal bars or trail mix with you to nibble on when you are out. Make a large batch of this bread and freeze it into small portions so you can grab on the go.