Fitascetta (onion covered bread ring)
1 Servings
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient | |
|---|---|---|
| ¾ | teaspoon | Dried yeast | 
| 1 | cup | Warm water | 
| ¼ | cup | Olive oil | 
| 2½ | cup | All-purpose white flour | 
| 1½ | teaspoon | Salt | 
| 1½ | pounds | Red onions, sliced very fine | 
| 4 | tablespoons | Margarine | 
| Salt & pepper | ||
| 1 | pinch | Sugar | 
| Olive oil | ||
Directions
Stir the yeast into the water in a large mixing bowl & let stand until it is creamy, about 10 minutes.  With a wooden spoon, stir in the olive oil followed by the flour & salt.  Knead by hand until moist & velvety. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover & let rise until doubled. Meanwhile, saute the onions in margarine over the lowest possible heat until they are soft & transparent, about 40 minutes. Season with salt & pepper & sugar. Leave to cool. 
When the dough has risen, turn out onto a floured board & shape into a long log.  Transfer to a greased baking sheet & join the two ends to make a ring of 6" tp 8" diameter.  Keep the hole in the centre as open as possible. Cover & let rise till doubled. 
30 minutes before baking, preheat oven to 400F.  When the dough has risen, scoop up the onions in a slotted spoon & pile on top of the ring. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 375F, brush the exposed surface with more olive oil & bake another 15 to 20 minutes until golden & crispy. Remove & slide onto a wire rack to cool. 
Carol Field, "Italy in Small Bites"