Piadina romagnola: the basic recipe to make it at home and 5 variations
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder (if using).
- Add the lard or olive oil and mix it into the flour with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the warm water or milk, mixing continuously until a dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
- Shape and Cook the Piadina:
- Divide the dough into 6-8 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
- On a floured surface, roll out each ball into a thin circle, about 2-3 mm thick.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or a flat griddle over medium heat.
- Cook each piadina for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown spots appear.
- Serve:
- Serve warm with your favorite fillings. Traditional options include cured meats, cheese, arugula, and grilled vegetables.
5 Variations of Piadina Romagnola
- Piadina with Ham, Arugula, and Stracchino:
- Ingredients: Slices of prosciutto, fresh arugula, and stracchino cheese.
- Instructions: Spread stracchino cheese on the warm piadina, add prosciutto slices and fresh arugula. Fold and enjoy.
- Vegetarian Piadina with Grilled Vegetables:
- Ingredients: Grilled zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and a few leaves of fresh basil.
- Instructions: Layer the grilled vegetables and basil leaves on the piadina. Add a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt.
- Piadina with Tuna, Tomatoes, and Capers:
- Ingredients: Canned tuna (drained), sliced cherry tomatoes, and capers.
- Instructions: Mix the tuna with capers and sliced tomatoes. Spread on the piadina and fold.
- Piadina with Mozzarella, Tomato, and Pesto:
- Ingredients: Slices of fresh mozzarella, tomato slices, and pesto.
- Instructions: Spread a thin layer of pesto on the piadina. Add mozzarella and tomato slices. Fold and heat slightly to melt the cheese.
- Sweet Piadina with Nutella and Strawberries:
- Ingredients: Nutella and fresh strawberries (sliced).
- Instructions: Spread Nutella over the warm piadina. Add sliced strawberries, fold, and serve as a delicious dessert.
Tips:
- Resting Time: Letting the dough rest is crucial for a more elastic and easier-to-roll dough.
- Cooking: Make sure your skillet is well-heated before cooking the piadina to achieve the characteristic golden spots.
- Storage: Cooked piadinas can be stored in an airtight container for a few days. Reheat them on a skillet before serving.
These variations showcase the versatility of piadina and how easily it can be adapted to different tastes and preferences. Enjoy experimenting with different fillings! Enjoy your meal !
