Sweet Pepper, Bacon & Caramelized Onion Coca

[kirra]

Sweet Pepper, Bacon & Caramelized Onion Coca
Brett Emerson

Although cocas usually don't have cheese, this version features a few handfuls of young Manchego. You'll have to enjoy it fresh from the oven so that the cheese doesn't cool off, but that shouldn't be a problem.

Ingredients:

1 recipe Basic Coca Dough (Recipe follows)
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 large yellow onions, sliced into thin half-moons
Salt, to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
3 peppers, sliced thin (sweet bell peppers or other heirloom varieties such as gypsy, cubanelle, etc.)
1/2 pound Manchego cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (use a young Manchego, aged less than 6 months)
1/4 pound pancetta or bacon, cut into small squares or 1-inch lengths, depending on thickness
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves

Preparation:

Preheat the oven (and pizza stone, if you have one), to 500 degrees, and take the dough out of the refrigerator to warm up.

Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, along with a hefty pinch of salt. Cook for about 1 hour, or until caramelized, about the color of cornflakes, stirring occasionally. Add the thyme in the last 5 minutes of cooking. Allow to cool, then puree in food processor (this step can be done in advance).

To assemble the coca, divide the dough into quarters, and remove one portion of it (keep the remaining portions covered). Roll out the dough into an oval shape, roughly 12-by-6 inches and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet or a cornmeal-sprinkled pizza peel (if you're using a pizza stone). Spread a thin layer of onion puree on the dough, leaving a 3/4-inch border. Lay on as many pepper slices as you feel is appropriate, and sprinkle cheese cubes on dough evenly. Lay on bacon or pancetta pieces. Bake, either on the cookie sheet or transferring onto the pizza stone, until the dough is browned, about 5 minutes.

Pull coca out of oven and sprinkle on chopped oregano and salt. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Makes four 12-by-6-inch cocas.



Basic Coca Dough
Luis Bollo

You may substitute additional olive oil for the lard if you prefer. In a pinch, you can use a store-bought pizza dough for the handmade version — just be sure to roll it out nice and thin.

Ingredients:

1 cup water
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional for oiling the bowl
2 tablespoons lard (or substitute additional olive oil)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semolina flour
3 cups all-purpose flour

Preparation:

Place the water, sugar and yeast in the bowl of a mixer and let sit for a few minutes to allow the yeast to soften and bloom.

Add the olive oil, lard and salt. Using a dough hook, mix in the semolina and the flour (if you don't have a mixer, you can do this with a wooden spoon, switching to kneading with your hands when it gets stiff). Knead for several minutes, until the dough comes together into a smooth, supple ball (it will be a somewhat stiff dough).

Coat the dough with a bit of olive oil to keep it from drying out, and place in a covered container and refrigerate overnight (if you're in a rush, you can instead let it rise for an hour or two at room temperature).