Rustic Bacon and Saffron Ciambellone

The rustic ciambellone with bacon and saffron is a tasty dish that combines the intense and bold flavor of bacon with the delicate aroma of saffron, all enclosed in a soft and fragrant ciambellone structure. Here is the recipe to prepare it.

Ingredients

• 250 g of all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 100 g of cubed bacon
• 1 sachet of saffron powder
• 100 ml of milk
• 100 ml of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 sachet of instant yeast for savory recipes
• 80 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Butter and flour for the mold

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and prepare a ciambellone mold by greasing it with butter and dusting it with a little flour.
2. Heat a pan and cook the cubed bacon until it becomes crispy. Leave to cool.
3. In a bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper. Then add the olive oil in a thin stream and continue to beat until the mixture is homogeneous.
4. Heat the milk (without bringing it to a boil) and dissolve the sachet of saffron. Let it cool slightly.
5. Add the saffron milk to the egg mixture and mix well.
6. Incorporate the sifted flour and yeast, mixing gently to avoid the formation of lumps.
7. Add the grated Parmesan and the now cooled bacon to the mixture, stirring carefully to evenly distribute the ingredients.
8. Pour the mixture into the prepared mold and bake for about 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the ciambellone comes out clean.
9. Remove the rustic ciambellone from the oven and let it cool before unmolding and serving.

A tip: always check the baking with a toothpick as the times can vary depending on the oven type.

Curiosity

Saffron is a spice highly appreciated in Italian and world cuisine, known for its bright yellow color and unique flavor. It is often used in the preparation of risottos, such as the classic ‘Risotto alla Milanese’, but in innovative cuisine, it is experimented with in various dishes, both sweet and savory, as in this rustic bacon and saffron ciambellone.