Flatbread Stuffed With Cheese And Prosciutto _torta Al Testo_ Recipes

FLATBREAD STUFFED WITH CHEESE AND PROSCIUTTO (_TORTA AL TESTO_ )

Steps:

• Stir together yeast and 1/3 cup warm water in a small bowl and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. (If mixture doesn't foam, start over with new yeast.)
• Stir together flour and salt with a fork in a large bowl. Make a well in center and add yeast mixture and oil. Stir in flour, then stir in as much of remaining 1/3 cup water as needed to form a firm, moist dough.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, shiny, and elastic, about 10 minutes.
• Put dough in cleaned large bowl and cover bowl. Let rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Punch down dough and divide into 2 pieces. Form each piece into a ball and let stand, covered, 10 minutes.
• Roll out each ball on a lightly floured surface with a rolling pin into an 8-inch round (about 1/4 inch thick; if dough resists rolling out, let stand 1 to 2 minutes, then continue).
• Preheat oven to 400F with rack in middle.
• Heat a heavy medium skillet or griddle over medium-low heat until very hot, about 10 minutes. Cook rounds 1 at a time, flipping frequently to avoid scorching and to aid even cooking, until golden, about 6 minutes per round. Stack rounds and wrap in a kitchen towel (not terry cloth) to keep soft while cooling.
• When rounds are cool, separate into halves by cutting into bread all around edge and gently pulling rounds apart. Sandwich cheese, arugula, prosciutto, and salt and pepper to taste between halves.
• Put stuffed breads on a baking sheet and bake until crisp and cheese has melted, about 8 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve warm.

BRACIOLA STEAKS STUFFED WITH CHEESE AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• If the braciola is more than about 1/4-inch thick, place the slices between sheets of wax paper and gently pound them. Pair off the braciola slices that are closest in size and shape. Sprinkle the meat lightly with salt and pepper and place a slice of cheese and a slice of prosciutto between each pair, folding them over if necessary so that they do not protrude beyond the edges of the braciola. Reserve a bit of the basil for garnish and place the remainder between the braciola slices.
• Place the beaten eggs in a wide, flat bowl and place the flour and bread crumbs on separate plates. Mix the bread crumbs with the thyme and cayenne. Dip the braciola in the flour, coating it on all sides and being careful that the pieces do not come apart. Shake off any excess flour and coat the braciola in egg and then in bread crumbs, making sure that the coating seals the edges of the meat.
• In a skillet large enough to hold the braciola in a single layer, heat the oil over medium-high heat. When hot, add the braciola. Cook, turning once, until nicely browned, about 3 minutes for each side. Drain the braciola briefly on paper towels, place on a serving dish, garnish with the reserved basil and serve.

TURKISH STUFFED FLATBREAD (GOZLEME)

Steps:

• Place lukewarm water, shortening, salt, sugar, bread flour, and yeast in a bread machine in the order listed. Run Dough cycle. Remove dough from the machine at the kneading, 20 minutes.
• Divide dough into 5 pieces and roll them into balls. Place on a floured surface, cover with a slightly damp cloth, and leave to rest for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt oil and butter for filling in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onion and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until onions soften, about 10 minutes. Add spinach and garlic and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Roll dough circles into flat rounds, 5 to 6 inches in diameter. Fill one half each circle with spinach mixture, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, then fold the other half over and seal the edges.
• Preheat a griddle or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Brush one side of each gozleme with oil and place on the hot pan; cook until base is golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Brush top side with olive oil, turn, and cook until golden, another 2 to 3 minutes.