Pizza Cheina recipe????

rbuzzotta

<font color=FF00CC>OKW until 2042<br><font color=t
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I don't even know if I am spelling it correct. My DH absolutely loves this at Easter. His mom used to make it every year and he looked forward to it. Unfortunately, she refused to give me the recipe and now that she has had a stroke and unable to cook, I would love to surprise him and make it for him this year.

It is similiar to a pie filled with Easter cheese, meats and other stuff. If anyone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks
 
Here you go:

I found it in my Celebrations Italian Style cookbook, and since I don't have time to type it I decided to check out Mary's website.

Thank heavens she had it listed there, can you believe it?

I am sure every family puts their own touch to it, but at least this will give you a good basic recipe!

Hope he enjoys it.

Happy Easter, and hope your MIL is recovering well.


*****************************************
PIZZA CHENA



SERVES 10 TO 12

Pizza chena (its name is a Neapolitan dialect term meaning "full pie") was always a part of our Easter table when I was a child. This enormous two-crusted pie was stuffed with salami, prosciutto, cheeses of all sorts, bacon, and a dozen eggs! I have reduced the number of eggs, but this still remains a substantial and memorable dish.

DOUGH
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
2 1/2 cups warm (110º to 115ºF) water
5 1/2 to 6 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 1/2 teaspoons Colavita (tm) Extra Virgin Olive Oil

FILLING
3/4 pound fresh mozzarella cheese (fior di latte), thinly sliced
1/2 pound ham, thinly sliced
1/2 pound provolone cheese, thinly sliced
1/2 pound Genoa salami, thinly sliced
1/2 pound Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
1/2 pound capocollo, thinly sliced
6 large eggs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/3 cup minced flat-leafed parsley
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water; for egg wash

In a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast over 1 cup of the warm water, stir well, and let proof for 5 to 10 minutes, or until foamy. Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups water and stir well.

In another bowl, mix 5 cups of the flour with the salt. Add to the yeast mixture along with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil. Mix with your hands, adding additional flour if necessary, until a soft and no longer sticky dough is formed.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it until smooth and elastic. Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil, add the dough, and turn to coat. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Brush the bottom and sides of a 15 × 13-inch baking dish or a 10 × 3-inch springform pan with the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil. Punch down the dough and knead it on a floured surface for 3 or 4 minutes. Divide the dough in half. On a floured surface, roll one piece of the dough to a rectangle or round at least 2 inches larger than the pan. Fit the dough in the pan, stretching it up the sides so that it overhangs the rim.

Fill the pan with alternating layers of the sliced cheeses and meats (you should have at least 10 layers).

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, parsley, and salt and pepper. Pour the mixture evenly over the cheese and meat.

Break a lemon-size piece of dough off the remaining piece of dough and set aside. On a floured surface, roll the second piece of dough out to a rectangle or round at least 1 inch larger than the pan. Place the dough over the filling and seal the edges by pinching them closed and rolling the seam underneath itself. Divide the reserved piece of dough in half and roll each piece into a rope. Lay one piece across the center of the pie, and lay the second piece across it to form a cross.

Brush the top of the pie evenly with the egg wash. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the crust is nicely browned. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.

If using a springform pan, release the spring, transfer the pie to a serving plate, and cut into wedges. If using a rectangular pan, cut the pie into pieces in the pan, then transfer them to a serving dish.

Note: This pie will keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. It is best served at room temperature or just slightly warm.

This recipe is from CELEBRATIONS ITALIAN STYLE by Mary Ann Esposito, published by William Morrow and Company Inc., in 1995.

:sunny: :sunny:


Here's the website, there are more Easter recipes there as well as many others too.

http://www.ciaoitalia.com/recipe.html.
 
Thanks for posting the recipe! We havent had that since my Dads aunt passed away a year and a half ago. She was the Italian cook of the family. :) Unfortunately I dont have time to make it for this Easter(this is a crazy week), but I will keep the recipe for future use. Now I cant wait to try it.

As for the spelling, I always thought it was Pizza Gaina, so I wasnt even close. ;) :D
 
Thank you so much dt for the recipe. I see it is fresh mozzarella cheese but I recall my MIL always saying it was "special" cheese only available at Easter time. Do you know of this??

I plan to go out and buy the stuff today or tomoroow.

Thanks again.
 

rbuzzotta, you are very welcome.

Sorry I don't know what cheese might just be around at Easter.


Got any great Italian deli/gourmet shops up by you that you could call.

Maybe it was a sheep's or goat's milk cheese that for some reason might
only be available in the early spring.

I know Mary's new show starts with her in that deli that I think
is up in Dover NH. If I think of the name I'll give them a call.

Actually, if you go to Mary's website you can e-mail her and someone from
her staff will e-mail you back.

That won't help you for tomorrow though.

Unless it was a very strong cheese, you may not notice
it due to all the other ingredients.

Hey, maybe your MIL will now tell you what it is!

Good luck
 



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