Pané Frattau Recipes

Steps:

• Break each sheet of pane carasau into three or four pieces-just small enough to fit in the individual serving dishes. Fill a large bowl with hot water, and drop in a batch of broken bread pieces. Let them soak for a few seconds, so all are moistened, then remove and spread them on the paper-towel-lined tray. The pieces should still be somewhat firm; don't let them get soggy. Moisten the rest of the pane carasau the same way.
• Heat the tomato sauce to a gentle simmer in a small saucepan, and keep it hot.
• Get ready for poaching the eggs: Pour water in the skillet to a depth of 2 inches, and add the vinegar (1 tablespoon per quart of water). Gradually heat to a simmer.
• Assemble the individual dishes of pane frattau just before cooking the eggs: Spread 3 to 4 tablespoons of sauce in the bottom of each dish or bowl, and sprinkle over each a tablespoon of grated cheese. Cover the sauce and cheese with a layer of moist pane carasau pieces (keep in mind that you'll need three such layers in each dish, or twelve portions of bread). Spoon another 3 to 4 tablespoons sauce on top of the flatbread, and sprinkle over it another spoonful of cheese. Now repeat this layering twice more-bread, sauce, cheese; bread, sauce, cheese-using more or less of each to taste.
• Poach the eggs at the last minute: One at a time, break them into a small ramekin or cup, and gently slide each one into the simmering water. Cook the eggs 2 to 3 minutes for a firm white and still-runny yolk (or longer if you like). Lift each egg out with a slotted spoon, drain for a moment on paper towels, and lay it atop a dish of pane frattau. Give each egg a final dusting with cheese, and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Cut the fresh tomatoes into pieces, then place fresh or canned tomatoes in a medium-sized saucepan with the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper to taste and the basil leaves; simmer for 15 minutes.
• Pass contents of pan through a food mill, using the disc with the smallest holes, into a crockery or glass bowl. Return the strained sauce to the saucepan and reduce for 5 minutes. Taste for salt and pepper.
• Set the carta da musica bread, 1 sheet at a time, on a large serving platter, pour 1 cup of the broth over it and let soak for 5 minutes. Carefully transfer each bread sheet onto an individual dish.
• Pour 1/4 of the still very warm tomato sauce over each sheet and spread it out with a ladle. Fold the overhanging pieces of the bread inward to reproduce the shape of the dish itself. Follow this procedure with all 4 sheets of bread.
• Place a medium-sized saucepan with 3 cups of cold water over medium heat. When the water reaches a boil, add salt to taste and the wine vinegar. Break 1 egg in the water and carefully, using a small spoon, fold the white over the egg yolk; simmer for 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the uovo in camicia (poached egg) onto the bread and tomato sauce of one of the dishes. Repeat the same procedure with the other 3 eggs. Sprinkle abundant grated cheese over the 4 portions and serve.