Savory Bread Cake
Category: Savory Pies
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Stale bread | 250g |
| Curly endive (scarola riccia) | 150g |
| Ripe tomatoes | 3 |
| Mozzarella | 250g |
| Breadcrumbs | 200g |
| Fresh liquid cream | 400g |
| Grana Padano DOP cheese | 150g |
| Eggs | 1 |
| Lemon zest | 1 |
| Fennel seeds | 1 tsp |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 20g |
| Fine salt | to taste |
| Black pepper | to taste |
Instructions:
To make the savory bread cake, start by cutting the stale bread into large cubes. Transfer the cubed bread into the bowl of a mixer and add the grated Grana Padano cheese and breadcrumbs. Blend everything together until a homogeneous mixture is achieved. Set the mixture aside.
Next, slice the mozzarella into rounds and slice the tomatoes. Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) in static mode. Grease a rectangular baking dish (approximately 35 x 28 cm) with the olive oil.
Press the bread mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish using your fingers to compact it into a solid base. Once the base is ready, begin layering the filling. Start with a portion of the curly endive, followed by slices of mozzarella and tomatoes. Season the layers with salt, pepper, and fennel seeds, and drizzle with a bit of olive oil.
Continue building the layers, adding more curly endive, mozzarella, and tomatoes. This layering helps to absorb any excess moisture released by the mozzarella as it bakes. Once your layers are complete, pour over the fresh cream and sprinkle with a bit more grated Grana Padano cheese for extra richness.
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the surface is golden and the bread has crisped up nicely. If needed, let it cook for another 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the top to turn a beautiful golden brown.
When the savory bread cake is fully baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly. Slice into portions and enjoy this delicious, savory pie that’s perfect for a light meal or as a savory snack!
Tips:
- Feel free to adjust the herbs and spices according to your taste. A sprinkle of dried oregano or thyme can add extra depth to the flavor.
- If you want to make the dish even heartier, consider adding a layer of cooked sausage or other vegetables like peppers or zucchini.
