Casatiello Napoletano (Easter Bread from Naples)

Casatiello Napoletano (Easter Bread from Naples)

by German Cano 2 years ago
0 (0)
1 hour
661 kcal
65.6 g carbs
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Description

Casatiello is the most famous Easter bread in Italy. Typical of Naples, it is served on Easter morning with cheese and cured meat. It's a rich bread made with rustic ingredients as the tradition calls for, and is decorated with the classic trapped eggs.

Ingredients
  • 1 ½ ounces fresh yeast
  • 1 ½ cups warm water, divided
  • 5 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup lard, at room temperature, divided
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons grated pecorino Romano cheese
  • 1 (4 ounce) package salami chunks
  • 6 eggs
Directions
  1. 1. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water.
  2. 2. Sift flour and salt onto a clean work surface; make a well in the center. Add yeast mixture and 1/4 cup lard to the well. Mix, adding remaining 1 cup water gradually, until dough comes together. Knead until dough is soft and smooth, about 10 minutes.
  3. 3. Transfer dough to an oiled bowl. Cover with a clean, damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 90 minutes.
  4. 4. Place dough back on the work surface. Punch gently to deflate; roll into a big rectangle. Brush 1/4 cup lard on top; cover with Parmesan cheese and pepper. Fold dough in half to make a smaller rectangle. Brush 1/4 cup lard on top; cover with pecorino Romano cheese and pepper.
  5. 5. Fold dough again into a smaller rectangle. Brush remaining 1/4 cup lard on top; cover with salami chunks. Cut off a small portion of the dough; reserve.
  6. 6. Roll dough into a long cylinder. Place cylinder a grease ring cake mold. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place until more than doubled in volume, about 3 hours.
  7. 7. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  8. 8. Tuck whole eggs into the ring of dough at even intervals. Divide reserved dough into 12 pieces; roll into small ropes. Lay 2 ropes in a cross shape over each egg to hold them in place.
  9. 9. Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 1 hour. Let cool before slicing.
Nutrition Facts
serving: 8 servings
calories: 661 kcal
carbohydrates: 65.6 g
protein: 18.1 g
saturated fat: 13.4 g
cholesterol: 181 mg
sodium: 673.2 mg
fiber: 2.7 g
sugar: 0.5 g