Pizza Chiena (Easter Pie)

 

Pizza Chiena (Easter Pie)

 

Pizza Chiena, or “crammed pizza,” is a traditional Neapolitan Easter forte. It’s a wealthy, savory pie filled with cheeses, cured meats, and eggs, best for festive gatherings.

Ingredients

For the dough:

500 g all-motive flour

25 g clean yeast (or 8 g dry yeast)

250 ml warm water

50 ml olive oil

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

For the filling:

250 g ricotta cheese

two hundred g provolone or caciocavallo cheese, diced

150 g cooked ham, diced

a hundred and fifty g salami, diced

one hundred g Pecorino Romano, grated

4 huge eggs

half tsp black pepper

1/four tsp nutmeg (non-obligatory)

Fresh parsley, chopped (elective)

For topping:

1 beaten egg

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water; allow sit down 10 minutes until foamy. In a big bowl, mix flour and salt. Gradually upload the yeast aggregate and olive oil. Knead for eight–10 mins until smooth and elastic. Cover and permit rise in a warm location for 1–2 hours till doubled in length.

2. Make the Filling

 In a large bowl, integrate ricotta, diced cheeses, ham, salami, and Pecorino Romano. Add eggs one after the other, blending properly. Season with pepper, nutmeg, and parsley.

3. Assemble the Pie

Preheat oven to one hundred eighty°C (350°F). Divide dough into two quantities (about 2/3 for the bottom, 1/3 for the top). Roll out the bigger component to line a 24–26 cm (nine–10 inch) deep cake pan. Leave some overhang. Fill with the cheese and meat mixture, urgent gently. Roll out the final dough, cover the filling, and seal the edges. Cut small slits on pinnacle for steam. Brush with crushed egg.

Four. Bake

Bake for forty five–50 minutes till golden brown. Let cool 20–30 minutes earlier than reducing.

Tips for Best Results

Optional: upload whole boiled eggs in the center for a traditional Easter contact.

Use a springform pan for easier elimination.

For a vegetarian version, replacement cured meats with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted greens.

Pizza Chiena is a hearty, flavorful pie combining creamy ricotta, sharp cheeses, and savory meats in a gentle, golden crust. Its festive richness makes it a staple for Easter tables in Naples and a superb centerpiece for any birthday party.