Casatiello and a Nest

From Italian Baking Secrets; This spicy bread flicked with chunks of salami and freshly ground pepper, was usually made for Easter in the countryside of Naples, but it is now eaten year-round except during the steamy months of summer. The traditional Casatiello was a peppery rustic bread, shaped like a large doughnut and with eggs still in the shell held in place on top with two crossed hands of dough.





Do you remember Home Economics? When I was in Middle School we had to take Home Economics and I hated it. My Mom sewed everything I wore so sewing was nothing new for me. And knitting, well I made my first sweater when I was 10 years old, so really did not need any help in that department either. And as for cooking, it was better then sewing but not by much. The very first thing I ever made in Home Economics was Eggs in a Nest and I specifically remember this dish because it was about the only thing we made that year that I liked.





The Casateillo Bread was an easy bread to make and I loaded it with salami and Provolone cheese, at least a cup of each. The bread baked beautifully but I thought it would be a real powerhouse of flavor and it was rather subtle. But as soon as I tasted it, I thought of that long ago, silly Home Economics class and Eggs in a Nest. It's always so funny how flavors stir memories and the memories are so crystal clear.





Eggs in a Nest
Recipe from my memories of a long ago Home Economics Class

1 whole piece of soft bread
1 egg
1 TBL EVOO
1 tsp butter
salt and freshly ground black pepper


Cut a circle out of the middle of a piece of bread, careful to leave at least 1/2" border. I used a 2" cookie cutter to cut the hole.

Heat EVOO in a fry pan over medium heat. Add the butter. When the butter is melted, place the piece of bread in the pan. Crack an egg into a small bowl and gently slide the egg into the hole of the bread. When the white is semi cooked, flip the bread over to grill the other side. Salt and pepper. DELICIOUS!



The following video is from the movie Moonstruck. It is the breakfast scene with Cher and Olympia Dukakis. Olympia Dukakis is making Eggs in a Nest.





Google Books has the entire book, "The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread", by Peter Reinhart, scanned and you can find the recipe on Page 128 by clicking here.



All Rights Reserved 2008-9 © Big Black Dog