Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Rustic Sicilian Bake with Cured Meats and Cheeses
Whip up this hearty Sicilian bake, brimming with rich cheeses and cured meats—perfect for cosy gatherings and sharing around the table!
📖 What is it
Whip up this hearty Sicilian bake, brimming with rich cheeses and cured meats—perfect for cosy gatherings and sharing around the table!
🛒 Ingredients
▸ For the dough
- ✓ 550g semolina flour
- ✓ 25g fresh yeast
- ✓ 100g margarine
- ✓ 3 whole eggs plus 1 for glazing
- ✓ 1 teaspoon caster sugar
- ✓ 350ml milk
- ✓ 40g butter
- ✓ salt, to taste
▸ For the filling
- ✓ 100g mortadella
- ✓ 100g cooked ham
- ✓ 150g tuma cheese, diced
- ✓ 2 tablespoons grated Sicilian pecorino
- ✓ freshly ground black pepper
📊 Nutritional Information
Dive into the fragrant heart of Sicilian tradition with this sumptuous bake, packed full of cheeses and cured meats. Ideal for bringing family and friends together, it bursts with the comforting aromas of tuma and pecorino cheeses, beautifully complemented by the silky mortadella and cooked ham. It’s a dish that evokes the warmth of island kitchens and the joy of good company.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Sift the flour with a pinch of salt and mound it on your work surface.
- 2
Dissolve the yeast in warm milk with the sugar, then add the margarine in small pieces.
- 3
Add the eggs and knead vigorously until you have a smooth, elastic dough.
- 4
Place the dough in a floured bowl, cover with a cloth, and leave to rise for about an hour.
- 5
Meanwhile, make the béchamel sauce by melting the butter, stirring in the remaining flour, and gradually adding the milk. Cook until thickened, then season with salt, pepper, and pecorino.
- 6
Once risen, divide the dough in two. Roll out the first half and place it in a greased and floured baking tin.
- 7
Layer the tuma, cooked ham, and mortadella strips over the base, pour over the béchamel, then cover with the second half of the dough.
- 8
Allow to rise for another hour, then brush the top with the beaten egg.
- 9
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 55 to 60 minutes, until golden brown.
- 10
Serve warm for that lovely gooey texture, or let it cool slightly to slice more easily.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For a bolder flavour, swap the tuma for aged caciocavallo cheese, or add diced salami for a rustic, savoury twist.
- •
If you prefer a softer crumb, try mixing semolina with plain flour in equal parts for the dough.
- •
Use a non-stick or parchment-lined tin to make lifting the bake out easier without it breaking.
- •
For a vegetarian version, omit the cured meats and add grilled vegetables like aubergines and courgettes, keeping the cheese mix intact.
- •
To boost umami, stir in a pinch of nutritional yeast flakes or a teaspoon of tomato purée into the dough.
- •
For a gluten-free option, substitute the flours with a suitable gluten-free blend and ensure the cured meats are free from gluten-containing additives.
- •
The secret to this dish lies in slow baking and choosing quality ingredients, which create the perfect balance of rich flavours and tender textures.
📦 Storage
- • Store the bake in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will keep fresh for up to two days.
- • Reheat gently in the oven at 150°C for about 10 minutes to restore its softness and melty cheese.
- • For longer storage, slice and freeze portions individually; thaw slowly in the fridge before reheating.
🍷 Pairing
To complement the robust flavours of this bake, opt for a Sicilian white wine such as Grecanico di Sciacca, whose crispness and subtlety balance the dish’s richness beautifully. Alternatively, a Catarratto from the island’s interior offers a pleasant mineral edge. If you fancy something from further afield, a Ligurian Vermentino or a Friulian Sauvignon Blanc also make excellent companions.
Making this bake brings a genuine slice of Sicily right into your kitchen, full of bold flavours and heartfelt tradition. It’s the perfect dish to share warm, joyful moments with your loved ones. Serve it up hot, let the melting cheese work its magic, and raise a glass of fine Sicilian white wine to celebrate the wonderful bounty of this beautiful land. Do give it a go—you won’t regret it!
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