Embark on a culinary journey to Sicily and discover the flavors of Christmas with Sfincione, a traditional Sicilian Christmas pizza. This delectable dish combines the savory flavors of anchovies, caciocavallo cheese, and oregano with the soft and airy texture of a focaccia-like bread. As you explore the depths of this article, you will uncover not only the authentic recipe for Sfincione but also variations that cater to different dietary preferences. Indulge in the classic meat-based Sfincione or explore lighter options like the vegetarian Sfincione and the seafood Sfincione. Each recipe is meticulously crafted to capture the essence of Sicilian Christmas while offering a unique culinary experience. Whether you are a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to impress your loved ones, this article will guide you in creating an unforgettable Sfincione that will bring the warmth and joy of Sicily to your table.
Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!
SICILIAN CHRISTMAS PIZZA (SFINCIONE)
Topping a thick-crust pizza with bread crumbs might sound like a strange idea, but it really is the crispy, cheesy secret sauce behind this Sicilian Christmas Pizza. Well, that and the actual sauce of onion and anchovies--ingredients you might want to keep secret from guests. Also key is the extremely sticky dough, which bakes into a feather-light, spongy crust that contrasts perfectly with the crumbly topping. Garnish with the customary dried oregano if desired.
Provided by Chef John
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 3h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Pour warm water into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Sprinkle yeast on top and let bloom. Add salt, sugar, olive oil, and flour. Knead, scraping down sides as necessary, until dough is very elastic and sticky, 6 to 7 minutes. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 90 minutes.
- Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and salt. Saute, stirring occasionally, until onions soften, sweeten, and turn translucent, 6 or 7 minutes. Add red pepper flakes, black pepper, tomato paste, oregano, and anchovies; mix until anchovies dissolve. Add marinara sauce, rinse out the container with water, and add the water. Stir and let simmer on medium-low heat until flavors come together, about 20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Combine bread crumbs and Pecorino Romano cheese in a bowl; toss together with a fork. Add the reserved anchovy oil and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Mix until bread crumbs are well moistened.
- Generously coat a rimmed 13x18-inch sheet pan with up to 3 tablespoons olive oil. Oil your hands and turn dough out onto pan. Pull, stretch, and press it to the sides of the pan, pausing to let dough rest whenever it shrinks back too quickly.
- Spoon sauce over the dough and spread up to about 1/2 inch from the edges. Add mozzarella and provolone cheeses. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly on top; do not press down. Drizzle remaining olive oil on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven until pizza is well browned is bottom is cooked, about 35 minutes. Bake for as as long as you can without the crumbs on top burning so that the crust cooks as much as possible.
- Slide pizza onto a cooling rack to prevent the bottom from getting soggy. Transfer to a cutting board once cooled.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 443.5 calories, Carbohydrate 50.5 g, Cholesterol 22.9 mg, Fat 20.1 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 14.7 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 780.2 mg, Sugar 5.1 g
SICILIAN CHRISTMAS PIZZA (SFINCIONE)
Steps:
- .1. Combine all of the crust ingredients and mix and knead to make a smooth, soft dough, using a stand mixer, bread machine, or your hands. 2. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and allow it to rise until puffy about 90 minutes. 3. While the dough rises get your toppings ready. Fry the onions in a large skillet over medium heat with a few tablespoons of olive oil, sugar, and season with salt and pepper. Stir every five minutes until browned, about 25-30 minutes. 4. Add in the tomatoes, anchovies and a teaspoon of oregano, simmer for 20 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to cool. 5. Stir together the bread crumbs, oil and oregano, set aside. 6. Spray a large rimmed baking sheet (a 13″ x 18″ half sheet pan) with non-stick spray. Drizzle it with olive oil, tilting the pan so the oil spreads out a bit. 7. Gently deflate the risen dough, and stretch it into an oval in your hands. Put it on the baking sheet and gently knead and stretch it out to fit the pan. If you have a hard time stretching it leave it alone for five minutes and try again. 8. Cover the dough, and let it rise again for about 90 minutes. 9. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Uncover the dough and sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over top, then spread the tomato/onion sauce over top, sprinkle with Parmesan, then the bread crumbs. 10. Bake the pizza for 35 minutes, or until the crust and crumbs are brown. Remove from the oven and let set for 5 minutes before slicing. To keep the crust crispy cut pizza in half or in quarters and place on a wire cooling rack. Slices can be cut with kitchen shears. Serve hot or cold. I
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients, especially for the tomatoes and cheese.
- Make sure the dough is well-kneaded and elastic before baking.
- Be patient when baking the focaccia - it should be cooked through but not dry.
- If you don't have time to make the focaccia from scratch, you can use a store-bought pizza crust.
- Add your favorite toppings to the sfincione before baking.
Conclusion:
Sfincione is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or snack. It's perfect for a party or potluck, and it's also a great way to use up leftover bread or focaccia. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, sfincione is a great recipe for novice and experienced cooks alike.
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