Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Grandma’s Pane Cotto: A Classic Sicilian Comfort for Chilly Evenings
Experience the authentic flavours of Grandma’s Pane Cotto, a traditional Sicilian dish that’s perfect for warming up those cold winter nights.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ Castelvetrano black bread (or any good quality farmhouse bread)
- ✓ Meat or vegetable stock
- ✓ 2 bay leaves
- ✓ Grated mature Sicilian pecorino
- ✓ Extra virgin olive oil
- ✓ Salt
📊 Nutritional Information
Pane Cotto della Nonna, or pani cottu dâ nonna, is steeped in the rich heritage of Sicilian peasant cooking. This humble, hearty dish was originally a clever way to make the most of the land’s gifts. Picture the scent of rustic Castelvetrano black bread soaking in steaming broth, the subtle bay leaf aroma filling the kitchen, and the sharp, salty tang of matured Sicilian pecorino tying it all together. It’s a dish that soothes both the heart and soul, ideal for those crisp winter evenings when all you want is a comforting, nourishing meal. Preparing this dish is like stepping back in time and rediscovering the simple beauty of traditional home cooking.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Place the slices of bread into a saucepan.
- 2
Pour over plenty of stock and add a pinch of salt.
- 3
Add the bay leaves and bring everything to the boil.
- 4
After a few minutes, ladle the hot pane cotto into bowls.
- 5
Generously sprinkle with grated Sicilian pecorino.
- 6
Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil just before serving.
💡 Tips and Variations
For a heartier twist, stir in some cooked chickpeas or lentils to the broth. If you’re after a milder cheese flavour, swap the pecorino for grated caciocavallo.
📦 Storage
- • Keep in the fridge for up to 1 day.
- • You can freeze the pane cotto without cheese for up to 2 weeks.
- • Reheat in the oven at 160°C for about 10 minutes before serving.
🍷 Pairing
Serve Grandma’s pane cotto alongside a glass of Faro wine, gently chilled to 16-18°C, and allowed a brief moment to breathe.
There’s something truly special about this soul-warming dish from Sicily’s kitchens of old. I encourage you to give Grandma’s pane cotto a go at home — it’s simple, comforting, and steeped in tradition. Perfect for sharing around the table on a chilly evening, it’s bound to become a firm favourite with family and friends. Do try it and let the flavours of Sicily bring a little warmth and joy into your home.
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