Catalan Coca with Sweet Onions, Piquillo Peppers, Olives & Aged Manchego Cheese
First, let me clarify a few points. A Catalan Coca is not:
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a cheap local version of Coca-Cola
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a parrot species
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a planet in the Youssou n’dour solar system
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your long-lost grand aunt
I’m pretty confident with the statement above as i always do my homework before writing a post (..hmm..yea right!). So what the heck is a Catalan coca, then?.. Something really delicious of course. Look…
Coca is one of the most popular dish of Catalonia, if you never heard of it you’re certainly familiar with a few of its cousins – there’s pissaladiere in south of France, flammenkuche in Alsace and of course.. Italian pizzas everywhere. The Coca is a sort of oval flatbread pizza that comes with a variety of delicious toppings, although there’s usually no tomato. There are many different kinds of course, even sweet ones, but in my opinion this adaptation of a Jose Andres recipe found in Tapas: A Taste of Spain
Anyway, who doesn’t like the sound of piquillo peppers, sweet vidalia onions, olives, Spanish olive oil, aged manchego cheese and anchovies on a flatbread pizza… Hmm?… What do you mean you can’t hear the sound?.. Come closer to your computer screen.. a little closer.. closer.. a little more.. See!? Ahh! No, no.. don’t thank me. It’s quite alright.
The panel of judges at work agreed without any argument. This is the real deal, they said after the first bite. In fact we thought it was so good we plan to serve it as one of the amuse-bouche for a large dinner party in the Hamptons at the end of August, but more on that in a few weeks…
I did notice quite a few anchovy haters out in the blogosphere which saddens me a lot, so as an attempt to convert them into anchovy lovers, i thought about sending some anchovy inspiration their way. Repeat the following lines a hundred times and get ready for some anchovy lovin’ baby…
Anchovies, anchovies you are so delicious!
You are my favorite, of all fishes!
I know, i know …this attempt at auto-suggestion is bound to fail miserably, if you still hate anchovies after this exercise make yourself known. I want names in the comment room. Names! I can already tell you there will be spank ..err.. sanctions.
[And thank you all for your participation in the Jammin' Giveaway. The winner will be picked on Tuesday.. Good luck everyone!]
For dough:
- 2 packets (1/2 oz.) active dry yeast
- 1/2 c. whole milk, gently warmed
- 2 tablespoons spanish olive oil
- 1 cup plus 3 tbs. all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. salt
For Flatbreads:
- 2 tbs. olive oil
- 1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tbs. dried oregano
- 20 kalamata olives, pitted and roughly chopped
- 1 c. piquillo peppers (a little less than a 13 oz. jar), cut into long strips
- 16 oil-packed anchovy fillets, halved crosswise
- 6 oz. Manchego cheese, grated (about 1 c.)
- Stir the yeast and the olive oil into the warmed milk and let it rest for 5 minutes. Add the flour and salt to a food processor and pulse to combine. Pour the yeast mixture into the food processor and process for 1 minute, or until the dough is well-mixed. Remove the lid and cover the bowl of the food process with plastic wrap. Leave it in a non-drafty place to rise for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add the olive oil to a large skillet, preferably cast iron or nonstick, and heat to medium-low. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasional for 15 to 20 minutes, or until caramelized–very soft and brown. Season with salt and pepper once they start to soften. If the skillet gets too dry before onions are done, add 1/2 tablespoon of water to prevent them from burning. Remove from heat and set aside.Coast two baking sheets with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper.
August 3rd, 2008 at 2:50 am
I happen to love anchovies so this sounds perfect!
August 3rd, 2008 at 5:00 am
Well, I don’t know if the anchovy is my favorite of *all* fishes, but it sure is up there
I’ll remember to prescribe that mantra to anyone who needs it!
That pissala– er, coca looks extremely delicious! I’ll have to give it a try sometime!!
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:02 am
I can just have anchovies on its own, but its not my favourite fish of all time.This is a perfect dish , Im hungry now
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:38 am
Wait… so we’re not learning about parrots here? Man, I had my coco puffs here and I was psyched…
Those flat breads look downright amazing dude. I love all the flavors you incorporated, and I’m with you and the anchovies. They really aren’t THAT bad… maybe just a little salty.
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:04 am
I wish I’d logged in yesterday – I’m putting together a little tapas this afternoon, and it’s the perfect day for a little tapas on the deck in the Spanish way. Who can possibly hate anchovies? Those sweet, savory and salty flavors sound delicious.
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:33 am
I’m not sure where I stand on the anchovy front, so there’s only one way to find out, right? These flatbreads look absolutely delicious though–I love all of the flavors you’ve got going on here.
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:57 am
Love pissaladiere & flammenkuche and now Catalan coca….
Another list recipe that I must try!
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:18 am
I love anchovies! These look freaking amazing, Zen. How could they not be with all that delicious stuff on them?
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:05 pm
You dont have to convince me about anchovies. I love them. People have to give them a chance.Im sure these will be a success at the party!
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Awesome! We used to get extemporaneous cocas whipped up by the chef at a tapas restaurant here in the hood. Just loved them. Yours looks fabulous!
August 3rd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
inds think alike! i forgot we actually made a coca 2 weeks ago! we had all those piquillos to use up and we had leftover pizza dough and we did the same thing! SO delish. yours looks absolute delish too.
oh and i wrote you back re: chick pea flour on our blog.
cheers!
August 3rd, 2008 at 3:53 pm
ahh I heart anchovies! (even sardines, the other underdog). I think you’ll be able to change the minds of people that don’t like them Zenster, rock on!
August 3rd, 2008 at 5:36 pm
You forgot to mention the other kind of coca this isn’t.
Okay, this dish is so apt and au courant, so à la mode. What is better during the summer than small plates and pecking at little salty bits and cheeses? Nothing, that’s what. Except for lots of wine and short shorts.
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
i’m drooling.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:23 am
I think you should give away a trip to Spain with this post…
I love everything that you put on these flatbreads, so I know I would like these. Mmmm…olives, Manchego, onions.
It it the oval shape that makes them a coca? This is such a cool idea. Love it!
August 4th, 2008 at 12:43 am
looked like one of those pizza to me…the difference is the shape…
August 4th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Perfect party food if you ask me! These look delicious!
August 4th, 2008 at 1:13 am
I was afraid of anchovies as soon as I found out they were in Caesar dressing, but I’ve grown to love them and think I’d love this beautiful dish!
August 4th, 2008 at 3:27 am
You had me at “manchego” – I would take it intravenously if I could!
August 4th, 2008 at 8:36 am
I think I could eat a catalan coca for breakfast now. Very nice!
August 4th, 2008 at 9:05 am
“Anchovies, anchovies you are so delicious! You are my favorite, of all fishes!”… 98, “Anchovies, anchovies you are so delicious!
You are my favorite, of all fishes!”… 99, “Anchovies, anchovies you are so delicious! You are my favorite, of all fishes!”… 100!
I did it! I did it! Let me go to the kitchen and make this right now to see if I like them allready. I did not know about the 100 times tip for liking things, you’re so smart Zen!
It looks gooooooooood, I mean with those ingredients how can it not be perfect?! I just had sweet cocas in Barcelona. Good stuff.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:42 am
anchovies are fine by me… maybe a little more chopped… the way I use them in lots of “grandmother italian recipes” they tend to disolve… so I’m not used to them this way…
that being said… I’d grab this right up! looks… FANTASTIC!
August 4th, 2008 at 11:29 am
bien sympa ces petites choses, je les vois très bien sur ma table au salon avec une bonne bouteille pour un sérieux apéro! ciao
August 4th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
would it be too rude for me to ask for all of these and let you make more for the rest?
August 4th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Wow, these look just scrumptious! I must admit I haven’t heard of coca before (thank you for writing about it and sharing), but I think I’ve fallen in love with the idea of it now.
August 4th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
another funny and delicious post! Not an anchovy fan, but then I also thought I did not like smoked oysters and was surprised to find out that they are not all that bad
and could we get a translation for what the cute Claude-Olivier said? lol
August 4th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Whatever the heck you call it, it looks so awesome and tasty!!!
August 4th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Sooo – can I just say that you got me at aged manchego cheese – and black olives – lol?
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
August 4th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Only Zen Chef knows how to do this so perfectly! wow!
August 5th, 2008 at 2:13 am
Esta coca me tiene loca! Anchovy haters don’t know what they’re missing. Gorgeous coca, Zen!
August 5th, 2008 at 3:21 am
how can’t i not love this ZenChef, it has all the goodness and yumminess of a pissaladiere and a pizza!! i definitely adore your CAtalan Coca!! and your humor too
hehehe
btw, i have never tried manchego cheese ..i’ll definitely have to try this one of these days!
August 5th, 2008 at 6:30 am
Hey thats something new i learnt today. But they still look live oval pizzas … ‘whats in a name ‘ neways right :p
And … was 30 mins enough to rise the dough ? They look delicious BTW !
August 5th, 2008 at 7:17 am
anchovies and sardines, so salty yet fishy…queens of the sea you are so delish-y!
You’ve inspired me to write fish poetry as well—you like?
August 5th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Hi there, first time visitor. Great flatbreads! the pictures are mouthwatering. Funny intro too
August 5th, 2008 at 9:02 am
yummmmmm! I’ve never heard of Coca, but have a tendency to make homemade pizzas that are quite similar. Your toppings sound FANTASTIC!
August 7th, 2008 at 4:43 am
Wow – these are just gorgeous – I love Catalan food!
August 9th, 2008 at 11:11 am
I love your food and your writing.
Ditto on the anchovies as well, they bring so much flavor to the table!
August 9th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Those flat breads look amazing! I’m not too sure about the anchovies – but I’d give them a go!
August 10th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Hello,
Thank you very much for this post. It looked so delicious and was so well written that I left the post open in my browser ever since I first saw this. Tonight I finally made it for dinner – it was as good as expected.
Thanks!
Alexandra, who omitted the anchovies
August 15th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Found your blog through Anali and love the flatbread recipe will be trying it for lunch next week.
Have you tried white anchovies they are fab.
Cheers