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Pane frattau
Pane frattau: Barbagia's layered carasau with tomato, pecorino and poached egg
Pane frattau turns dry pane carasau into a hearty plate in twenty minutes: sheets of the crisp bread are dipped in hot broth until just supple, layered with tomato sauce and grated pecorino, and topped with a poached egg whose yolk runs into everything. It is said to have been first served in Orgosolo or Nuoro for a royal visit, and it is now a staple of Barbagia agriturismi and family suppers. Traditionally the broth is made from mutton or meat; this version uses vegetable stock, which works beautifully. Chef's tip: dip each sheet for no more than 2–3 seconds; it keeps softening on the plate.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the sauce
For the layers
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Warm 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil with 1 clove garlic in a saucepan over a medium heat for 1 minute. Add 2 cups tomato passata, 6 basil leaves and ½ tsp salt and simmer for 10 minutes, until slightly thickened. Take out the garlic and keep the sauce hot.
11 minStep 2: Bring a wide pan of water to a gentle simmer with 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, small bubbles only. Keep 3 ¼ cups vegetable stock hot in a shallow pan nearby.
Step 3: Dip a half-sheet of 7 oz pane carasau into the hot stock for 2–3 seconds, until it just bends, then lay it on a warm plate. Common mistake: leaving the bread in the stock; it turns to wet paper and the layers lose their shape.
Step 4: Spoon over 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce and a sprinkle of 2 ⅞ oz pecorino sardo. Repeat for 3–4 layers per plate, finishing with sauce and cheese.
Step 5: Crack 4 eggs one at a time into a cup and slide them into the simmering water. Poach for 3 minutes, until the whites are set and the yolks still soft when nudged.
3 minStep 6: Lift each egg out with a slotted spoon, drain for a second on kitchen paper and set it on top of a stack. Serve at once.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 420 kcal
- Protein
- 21 g
- Carbs
- 46 g
- Fat
- 17 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does pane frattau take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
- What can I use instead of tomato passata?
- Chopped tomatoes, blended smooth.
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